A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is deported to a concentration camp during World War II. While locked up he tries to convince his son that the whole thing is just a game.
Roberto Benigni
as Guido
Nicoletta Braschi
as Dora
Giorgio Cantarini
as Giosué
Giustino Durano
as Zio
Sergio Bini Bustric
as Ferruccio
Marisa Paredes
as Dora's Mother
Horst Buchholz
as Doctor Lessing
Lidia Alfonsi
as Mrs. Guicciardini
Giuliana Lojodice
as School Principal
Amerigo Fontani
as Rodolfo
tubbs
The first half of the screenplay is better than the second and in particular the weak ending which is very commercial Oscar material. However, there is Benigni, who is an old school visual comedian, and some of his antics are a delight. The period setting details are also well done....