Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
This is an irreverent yet realistic look at medieval life in Italy and is loosely based on Boccaccio's work: The Decameron (Il Decameron) - ten tales of love, lust, sex, and death. There doesn't seem to be much order to this interesting and humorous collection of stories and the director's cold, almost psychopathic attitude seems to be apparent right from the start. Apart from the sadistically hilarious scenes, there are many scenes of beauty that seem to be interwoven into the fabric of the film. Some shots seem to linger and it is hard to distinguish between these scenes and an actual painting you might see in an art gallery. I'm not saying that this film is a great work of art, as Pasolini seems to imply at the end in his cameo role; but it is a work of art in a way. As one reviewer has already said, it is a great achievement, at least cinematically, considering the low budget approach. The amateur style is part of the appeal and this seems deliberate. The shaky camera scene of the beautiful floral landscape reminds us that we are watching a film. Pasolini's use of local amateur actors adds to the remarkable authenticity of the film and its historical setting. There is less scatology and homosexuality in this film compared to The Canterbury Tales. However, the references are still there, as they are in Arabian Nights (the third in the trilogy), and the most disturbing scene was a scene between a man (Citti) and a boy (barely a teen) at the beginning of the film. Although this scene was very subtle, the homosexual implications were apparent. This is yet another example of the realism and the director's attempt to include all facets of reality/sexuality, no matter how repulsive. There was even a reference to bestiality in this film. I guess this is an attempt at being subversive at the time (1970's). It is sort of politically incorrect in some ways, too. For example, the teenage romance scene was shot in the nude. As for the erotic nature of the film; it's not as frequent as you might expect, considering the subject matter. The scene with Peronella was pleasantly erotic with her very attractive tanned body splayed out as if on a fine Renaissance canvas. The charm of this promiscuous wife was short lived as soon as she developed a case of verbal diarrhoea and this revealed, more than any other scene, the poor quality dubbing. The film was vaguely romantic in parts. Pasolini doesn't seem to try and manipulate his audience. This is an original film that didn't try too hard to be a great film and ended up having some of the qualities of one. Its unusual approach comes with a price, but places it in an important genre of its own that sadly we seldom get a chance to see. How good a film it is, depends on your taste though. There are some things you like in these films and some things you definitely don't like. They are worth seeing, because of their unique style and the insights that they have. Certainly better than Hollywood; but not my favourite type. I liked it and gave it 4/5; but i would have given it 3.5 if i could. The DVD quality is actually better on the Region 1 version, which is now less expensive. Unfortunately, the other two in the series are exceptionally expensive on R1; but like the other R1 DVD, they have a lot more going for them.Read full review
This is one of Pasolini's more enjoyable films, using unknown actors and actresses gives a freshness that suits the subject/stories being unrolled before your eyes. Giotto's assistant (Pasolini himself) adds a touch of genius to the part. A pity he was so tragically murdered otherwise we might have another view of Pasolini's insight into humanity. I bought it as a film that I had fond memories of when first released, and they still remain, have an intruiging viewing.
The funny story which I pictured the formidability vulgarity of the people who did not change for a long time in.