Amarcord

R

Released Sep 19, 1974

2h 5m

Comedy

Drama

List

87%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

In an Italian seaside town, young Titta (Bruno Zanin) gets into trouble with his friends and watches various local eccentrics as they engage in often absurd behavior. Frequently clashing with his stern father (Armando Brancia) and defended by his doting mother (Pupella Maggio), Titta witnesses the actions of a wide range of characters, from his extended family to Fascist loyalists to sensual women, with certain moments shifting into fantastical scenarios.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered May 25

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Max

Watch Amarcord with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Ribald, sweet, and sentimental, Amarcord is a larger-than-life journey through a seaside village and its colorful citizens.

Read Critics Reviews

John Russell Taylor

Sight & Sound

Compared with [Fellini's] other recent films, Amarcord is simple and classic to the point of self-denial.

Apr 1, 2020

Full Review

David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

When Fellini turns down the volume, a soft sense of magic seeps in...

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 23, 2023

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

Like a record you listen to on a cold winter night, or a soup that reminds you of your grandma’s fireplace, “Amarcord” is a mood piece above anything else.

Dec 11, 2022

Full Review

John Simon

Esquire Magazine

Its people look neither funny nor touching, neither monstrous nor human; they are mere lay figures tugged about aimlessly to fill out the space of the screen, the prescribed time for a major movie, and the leaky balloon of Fellini's ego.

Jul 28, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Kevin L

This is Fellini 'remembering' his youth in the way we really do- as stitched together fragments of actual moments, together with our mis-remembered bits and embellished versions; and a dream or two along the way. It's bawdy, buxom, crude, playful, lusty, and at times out loud funny. It's also the Fellini fart film. Lots of gaseous guffaws, if that's your thing. And being Italy, Catholicism creeps about. The aura of that 'die now, pay later' faith fairly coats the movie at times. Seeing this at the cinema is really the way to go. Audiences laugh a lot and seem to truly appreciate what Fellini was doing with all this raucous realm of horny delinquents, endowed dames, and a mom and dad at their ropes' end. "Amarcord" is filmmaking you sink into and marinate in dish that's equal parts savory, salty, and sweet. 4.3 stars

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Andrea C

Storie di vita quotidiana in uno dei capolavori di Fellini che crea dal nulla un racconto vero, in cui chiunque si può rispecchiare e capace di avvicinare il cinema alla realtà in maniera spaventosa. Le vicissitudini e gli episodi ruotano intorno ad un giovane ragazzo di una famiglia operaia, in una cittadina di mare del centro Italia, piena di personaggi eccentrici e di personalità forti a cui viene dato il giusto spazio, seppure molti di loro fungano solo da comprimari. Non esiste una trama principale, ci si limita solamente a portare alla luce tutti gli avvenimenti più strambi e divertenti che possano capitare nell'arco di diversi anni ad una qualsiasi persona. Fellini crea un film che entra nella storia, e lo fa partendo dal nulla più totale; una poesia, seppure non ci siano forti emozioni al suo interno.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

Josh G

While it's a visual marvel and filled with great sound design it balances a few too many dull and slice of life story lines. You could watch a better Fellini film anyway this is just mediocre.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/15/23

Full Review

Thomas V

An enjoyable slice of life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/04/23

Full Review

Heironymus B

One of Fellini's finest films alongside La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2 and Satyricon. Reflecting the period of Fellini's childhood, the Mussolini years. This film has a real fun 'holiday' feel to it as we are introduced to the various livelihoods and guilty pleasures of a host of characters, that look as though they jumped right out of a seaside postcard. Hugely enjoyable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/22

Full Review

Fra B

I confide that in the future my opinion might chance, but for now I am more on the side of those who think the characters are mere caricatures, the scenery colourfully bleak (willingly probably, but I don't connect to it) and the plot often vulgar and vaguely sentimental.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/24/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Federico Fellini

Director

Magali Noël

Gradisca

Bruno Zanin

Titta Biondi

Pupella Maggio

Miranda Biondi

Armando Brancia

Aurelio Biondi Titta's Father

Ciccio Ingrassia

Teo - the mad uncle

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

94%

86%

Murmur of the Heart

40%

%

Wifemistress

67%

88%

Seven Beauties

87%

87%

The Last Detail

56%

62%

Cinderella Liberty

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Classic Film Catch-Up: Six Italian Greats To Stream Now, From Sharp Satires to Gory Giallo Terrors

Now Streaming: Doctor Who, Orphan Black, Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, and More

Five Favourite Films with Diego Luna

View more photos

Synopsis

In an Italian seaside town, young Titta (Bruno Zanin) gets into trouble with his friends and watches various local eccentrics as they engage in often absurd behavior. Frequently clashing with his stern father (Armando Brancia) and defended by his doting mother (Pupella Maggio), Titta witnesses the actions of a wide range of characters, from his extended family to Fascist loyalists to sensual women, with certain moments shifting into fantastical scenarios.

Director: Federico Fellini
Screenwriter: Federico Fellini, Tonino Guerra
Distributor: New World Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: PECF
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2012
Runtime: 2h 5m

Most Popular at Home Now