Overview
A sweeping historical drama that explores the clash of social classes in early 20th century Italy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- operatic
- somber
- politically charged
- serious film study
- historical drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's ambitious historical scope and striking cinematography, while finding its extreme length and sprawling structure uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Olmo's peasant origins and Alfredo's landowning family place their lifelong relationship within Italy's changing class order.
The rise of Fascism directly reshapes the characters' destinies and the social world around them.
Olmo and Alfredo are born on the same day but into sharply different social positions, and the drama tracks their interaction over decades.
The five-hour structure spans roughly 1900 to 1945 and situates private lives within Italy's political transformation.
Films like 1900, and why
The Leopard
sweeping historical drama examining class conflict, political upheaval, and the bonds between people from opposing social backgrounds
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
epic european drama portraying fascism, resistance, and personal relationships shaped by twentieth-century political violence
The Battle of Algiers
long-form political drama connecting intimate lives with the rise of authoritarianism and revolutionary ideology
The Last Emperor
ambitious period drama focused on class hierarchy, social transformation, and emotionally conflicted characters
Movie Details
- Director
- Bernardo Bertolucci
- Release Date
- 1976-08-28
- Runtime
- 317 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (700)
Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Gérard Depardieu
- Dominique Sanda
- Stefania Sandrelli
- Donald Sutherland
- Burt Lancaster
- Francesca Bertini
- Laura Betti
- Werner Bruhns
- Stefania Casini
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 1900 about?
- An expansive Italian historical drama follows a peasant and a landowner whose lifelong bond is tested by Fascism, class struggle, and revolutionary change.
- What is 1900 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 1900 as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 1900 violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in 1900 as graphic.
- What did critics think of 1900?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's ambitious historical scope and striking cinematography, while finding its extreme length and sprawling structure uneven.
- Which films are like 1900?
- Films with a similar feel include The Leopard, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, The Battle of Algiers, and The Last Emperor.
- How long is 1900?
- 1900 runs 317 minutes.
- Where can I watch 1900?
- In United States, 1900 is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
