Cinema Paradiso

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Cinema Paradiso

PG

Released Feb 23, 1988

2h 3m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

96%

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50,000+ Ratings

Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

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Critics Consensus

Cinema Paradiso is a life-affirming ode to the power of youth, nostalgia, and the the movies themselves.

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Tim Pulleine

Guardian

The skill of Cinema Paradiso happily manages to suggest that such a legacy has not entirely evaporated. At any rate, I find the experience it offers an enchanting one.

Jul 26, 2022

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Tim Pulleine

Sight & Sound

Cinema Paradiso itself possesses enough command and self-conviction to demonstrate that movies can still manage to manifest an alternative universe.

Jan 11, 2020

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Giuseppe Tornatore, writer and director of Cinema Paradiso, knows that the way to make shameless wallowing palatable is to make no great claims for what you are resurrecting.

Dec 6, 2018

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William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

One of the greatest Italian films, Cinema Paradiso is a special, timeless classic that will make you smile and weep in equal measure.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 11, 2024

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

This is both an unashamedly sentimental rite-of-passage picture and a charming reminder of the lost magic of cinema-going.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2024

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

The story is drawn from the director Giuseppe Tornatore's childhood memories, presented here as a series of loosely-linked episodes commemorating the importance of movies -- of art -- in the lives of people forced to manage on very little.

Rated: 3/4

May 9, 2023

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lisa f

best movie i’ve seen in 20 years! loved it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

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Alcapp

Cinema Paradiso us a wonderful heart warming film. Youll laugh youll cry youll reflect. The ending is magical.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

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Bob S

Still one of my favorite films of all time. But I'm a sucker for foreign language films that are full of sentimentality and nostalgia (e.g., My Life as a Dog).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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Anders C

Best movie ever made and top music by Meastro Morricone

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Fiorella G

Cinema Paradiso is a timeless story about memory, love, loss, and the magic of cinema itself. Set in a small Sicilian town after World War II, it follows Salvatore, a young boy who finds escape and meaning in the local movie theater while coping with the absence of his father, who never returned from the war. The heart of the film lies in his relationship with Alfredo, the cinema’s projectionist. Alfredo becomes the father figure Salvatore needs, teaching him not just how to operate film reels, but how to chase a bigger life. Their bond is deeply moving; it’s one of the most powerful father-son relationships I’ve seen on screen. Tornatore doesn’t rely on stylized visuals, the cinematography is simple, allowing the story and its characters to take full focus. The film is long, but it never drags. Instead, it’s filled with small emotional climaxes that reflect all the things a person experiences growing up. These moments keep the pacing strong and make the film feel emotionally alive from start to finish. Ennio Morricone’s score is essential. It carries the emotion of every scene and lingers long after the credits roll. It’s one of his most memorable works. The final scene is one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever seen. Cinema Paradiso celebrates movies and reminds you why they matter.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

Full Review

Nano N

Loved the depiction of early days of film in Sicilian villa. Toto an incredible little actor. I think the story might have wrapped up a little quicker. No need to show an entire lifetime in a film. Also didnt recognize the adult Toto and this troubled me - a lot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

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Giuseppe Tornatore

Director

Salvatore Cascio

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Child

Philippe Noiret

Alfredo

Marco Leonardi

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Teenager

Jacques Perrin

Salvatore 'Toto' Di Vita - Adult

Agnese Nano

Elena Mendola

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Synopsis

Young Salvatore Di Vita (Salvatore Cascio) discovers the perfect escape from life in his war-torn Sicilian village: the Cinema Paradiso movie house, where projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) instills in the boy a deep love of films. When Salvatore grows up, falls in love with a beautiful local girl (Agnese Nano) and takes over as the Paradiso's projectionist, Alfredo must convince Salvatore to leave his small town and pursue his passion for filmmaking.

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Producer: Mino Barbera, Franco Cristaldi, Giovanna Romagnoli
Screenwriter: Giuseppe Tornatore
Distributor: Miramax Films, HBO
Production Co: Cristaldi Film
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 23, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Runtime: 2h 3m

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