Overview
A gripping tale of injustice and political persecution that resonates through the ages.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- somber
- urgent
- mournful
- historical film night
- political cinema discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s morally urgent historical subject, courtroom direction, and performances, while some faulted its simplification and overtly polemical presentation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sacco and Vanzetti are condemned amid political hostility toward anarchists despite the film's framing of the robbery and murder accusation as false.
The protagonists are Italian immigrants whose anarchist convictions become central to the prosecution and public judgment against them.
The conviction, courtroom proceedings, lawyers, judges, and disputed evidence organize the film's dramatic structure.
The death sentence and electric chair remain central threats throughout the protagonists' imprisonment and legal struggle.
Films like Sacco & Vanzetti, and why
In the Name of the Father
historical miscarriage of justice, political repression, courtroom drama, and serious docudrama treatment
The People vs. Larry Flynt
capital punishment, institutional injustice, courtroom conflict, and morally urgent historical drama
The Trial of the Chicago 7
political persecution, unjust imprisonment, and emotionally charged historical filmmaking
Movie Details
- Director
- Giuliano Montaldo
- Release Date
- 1971-03-16
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (220)
Cast
- Gian Maria Volonté
- Riccardo Cucciolla
- Cyril Cusack
- Rosanna Fratello
- Geoffrey Keen
- Milo O'Shea
- William Prince
- Claude Mann
- Edward Jewesbury
- Armenia Balducci
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Sacco & Vanzetti about?
- An Italian historical docudrama portrays Sacco and Vanzetti’s doomed fight against a politically motivated conviction and execution.
- What is Sacco & Vanzetti like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sacco & Vanzetti as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Sacco & Vanzetti violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Sacco & Vanzetti as moderate.
- What did critics think of Sacco & Vanzetti?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s morally urgent historical subject, courtroom direction, and performances, while some faulted its simplification and overtly polemical presentation.
- Which films are like Sacco & Vanzetti?
- Films with a similar feel include In the Name of the Father, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
- How long is Sacco & Vanzetti?
- Sacco & Vanzetti runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Sacco & Vanzetti?
- In United States, Sacco & Vanzetti streams on Kino Film Collection.
