Vittorio De Sica: Contemporary Perspectives

by Howard Curle, Stephen Snyder

Overview

Recognized as a master of Italian cinema, Vittorio De Sica is perhaps best known and most respected for his critically acclaimed neorealist films of the period 1946-55. As this anthology reveals, however, his production was remarkably multifaceted. The essays included here - some newly commissioned, some reprinted, and others in translation - look at De Sica's varied career from many perspecives.

Structured chronologically, the volume begins by introducing readers to De Sica's early popularity as an actor and singer during the years of Italian Fascism, and to his initial directorial efforts before the end of World War II. It was not until the postwar era, however, that De Sica made his mark in film history. Special attention is given to this critical phase of his career, which encompasses the neorealist films that made him famous: "Shoeshine", "Bicycle Thieves", "Miracle in Milan", and "Umberto D."

When the neorealist movement waned after 1955, De Sica returned to his roots in Neapolitan comedy for a series of commercially successful films starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Memorable works from this period include "Two Women" and "Marriage Italian Style" as well as "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow", which won De Sica an Academy Award in 1965. In one of his final films, "The Garden of the Finzi Continis", he returned to the subject of World War II and to the human tragedy characteristic of his best neorealist productions.

This fine anthology offers a comprehensive critical survey that covers the entire scope of De Sica's career, and is an excellent resource for students, critics and film enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802083814
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	07/01/2000
Series:	Toronto Italian Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 8.77(h) x 0.65(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Howard Curle is a lecturer in the Film Studies Programme at the University of Manitoba. Stephen Snyder is Associate Professor in the Film Studies Programme at the University of Manitoba.

Editorial Reviews

Curle and Snyder's collection of essays on de Sica (1902-74) shows the career of the director of (aka to be multifaceted, not simply neorealist. The volume begins with de Sica's pre-directorial efforts as an actor and singer during the Mussolini years and his initial directorial efforts before WWII's end. Particular attention is then devoted to his neorealist years of and De Sica, after 1955, abandoned neorealism and returned to his roots in Neapolitan comedy for a series of commercial films with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, but then finished his career with highly respected films like . In all, de Sica won four Oscars for best foreign film. Contributors include Andr<'e> Bazin, Gilles Deleuze, Pauline Kael, and Peter Bondanella. The volume lacks an index, and the filmography provides only titles and dates. Canadian card order number C00-931429-6. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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