Rocco and His Brothers

1960 Drama

Luchino Visconti's operatic masterpiece tells the story of the Parondis, a poor family from a village in southern Italy who come to Milan seeking a better life. Following the death of her husband, proud Rosaria (Katina Paxinou) picks up stakes and moves to the city with four of her sons: Simone (Renato Salvatori), Rocco (Alain Delon), Ciro (Max Cartier), and Luca (Rocco Vidolazzi). Awaiting them in Milan is her oldest son, Vincenzo (Spiros Focas), who himself is preoccupied with his impending nuptials to the beautiful Ginetta (Claudia Cardinale). Divided into chapters focused loosely on each brother, the movie chronicles the Parondis' struggle to get by, as the brothers take odd jobs and the family endures life in a cramped tenement. Much of the movie's second half deals largely with Simone and Rocco. The loutish Simone eventually finds success as a boxer, and the family soon moves to a better neighborhood. Meanwhile, Rocco gets drafted by the military, and becomes a successful boxer himself upon his return. Complications arise when Nadia (Annie Girardot), a prostitute, enters their lives. Simone falls in love with Nadia first; however, Rocco eventually becomes the object of her affection. Simone's obsession with Nadia and his rapidly deteriorating behavior ultimately threaten to bring the family to ruin, even as the saintly Rocco tries to save his brother. At the peak of Rocco's success, Simone commits a crime that cruelly dashes Rocco's hopes of keeping the family together. more..

Director: Luchino Visconti

Starring: Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, Annie Girardot, Katina Paxinou,Roger Hanin

Reviews

  • Neither the neighborhood intimacy of "Mean Streets" nor the grandeur of the "Godfather" movies is imaginable without Visconti's example. Its richness, though, is inexhaustible, and well served by the spotless new 35-millimeter print being shown at Film Forum.

    Dana Stevens - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • From its star-studded cast to its indelible camerawork by the legendary Giuseppe Rotunno, it's an unforgettable experience by a revered master of European cinema.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    19 January 2013

  • Violent, deliberately operatic, and makes ambiguous social statements.

    - TV Guide

    19 January 2013

  • It's plotted in the form of an epic poem, each stanza dedicated to a member of the group.

    - Variety

    19 January 2013

  • Visconti's film remains a Euro-culture touchstone, though not nearly as convincing or visually stunning as its reputation insists.

    Michael Atkinson - Village Voice

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Film from any Source

    BAFTA Awards (1962)

     
  • Best European Film (Bedste europæiske film)

    Bodil Awards (1962)

  • Best Production (Migliore Produzione)

    David di Donatello Awards (1961)

  • Best Film (Miglior Film)

    Golden Globes, Italy (1961)

  • Best Cinematography, B/W (Migliore Fotografia in Bianco e Nero)

    Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (1961)