Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- introspective
- erotic
- reflective evening
- arthouse cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Bertolucci's early romantic drama as a sophisticated, visually assured portrait of youthful political and emotional uncertainty.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Fabrizio identifies with Marxism while facing forced integration into his parents' bourgeois world and an ordinary marriage.
Fabrizio's attraction to his troubled Aunt Gina distracts him from political commitments and preparations for marriage.
The story unfolds in Parma, where family expectations, affluence, and local social conformity shape Fabrizio's choices.
Fabrizio moves between grief, Marxist conviction, erotic attraction, and marital obligation without settling easily into a stable identity.
Films like Before the Revolution, and why
The Dreamers
shared romantic alienation, political disillusionment, and youthful bourgeois self-questioning in an arthouse drama
L'Avventura
shared Italian modernist style, erotic tension, and emotionally estranged characters navigating bourgeois society
The Conformist
shared coming-of-age uncertainty, Marxist-era politics, and conflict between personal desire and social conformity
I Knew Her Well
shared melancholic romantic introspection and tension between radical ideals and conventional adulthood
Movie Details
- Director
- Bernardo Bertolucci
- Release Date
- 1964-05-13
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (123)
Cast
- Adriana Asti
- Francesco Barilli
- Allen Midgette
- Morando Morandini
- Cristina Pariset
- Cecrope Barilli
- Evelina Alpi
- Gianni Amico
- Goliardo Padova
- Guido Fanti
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Before the Revolution about?
- A Marxist student in 1960s Parma is torn between bourgeois convention, erotic desire, grief, and the uncertain promise of rebellion.
- What is Before the Revolution like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Before the Revolution as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Before the Revolution violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Before the Revolution.
- What did critics think of Before the Revolution?
- Critics broadly regard Bertolucci's early romantic drama as a sophisticated, visually assured portrait of youthful political and emotional uncertainty.
- Which films are like Before the Revolution?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dreamers, L'Avventura, The Conformist, and I Knew Her Well.
- How long is Before the Revolution?
- Before the Revolution runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Before the Revolution?
- In United States, Before the Revolution is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
