We the Living

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Nona A I just saw the remastered 80 nyear old film (June, 2023) and was impressed. First, the film is LONG -- nearly three hours -- but because it is so well-written and edited, the pace as brisk and its action compelling. Second, the film is a substantially faithful treatment of Ayn Rand's novel of the same. It was written and produced without the knowledge, input or permission of the author. Third, the film was a sensation in its time (released in 1942) and drew a huge audience. BUT it was viewed pretty quickly as dangerous to then dictator Benito Mussolini who ordered the film banned and the negatives destroyed. Thank goodness it was preserved! I think it makes sense to see WE THE LIVING: It's an example of the kind of powerful, strong film we'd like to see more of. Good film-making doesn't grow old. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Not exactly a faithful adaptation of Ayn Rand's first novel, Noi Vivi follows the tradition of Alessandrini's extreme realism in the story of a young individual and her quest to survive in Soviet Russia by balancing between holding on to one's ideal and love. I noticed that the subtitled were not perfect, obviously to edit out the propaganda that couldn't be removed but it did stay true to the novel as well as listening to the dialogues using my broken Italian. The editing could have been done a bit better, but there's no complain for me as I know how hard it must have been to delete the fascist propaganda. The acting and casting were fantastic, I love the costumes, the sets and the minimalist design. However, I did get disappointed with Irina's (Kira's cousin) subplot being omitted (It was may favourite part in the book) and the ending being changed to something melodramatic/romantic that completely betrayed Rand's ideology. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is the product of the re-cutting of two films made in Italy during WWII based on Ayn Rand's "We the Living". The original films were made without Rand's knowledge and only made it past the fascist censors by inserting bits of propaganda, which starkly contrast with the anti-collectivist theme of the novel. The original films were ordered destroyed after immense success in Italy, and only survived because the original print was hidden. Years later the print was unearthed and this version (which removes items of propaganda and trims the subplots) was produced with Rand's oversight. The final product is remarkably true to Rand's novel. While a product of a more romanticized era of film-making, it is still accessible to a modern audience. The three major characters are portrayed with passion and care. Alida Valli is especially noteworthy as she beautifully captures the soul of Kira. Unlike many film adaptations of books, it is not necessary to have read the novel to fully enjoy this film. There is depth and heart behind the original works and this re-cutting only serves to clarify that fact. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member From Ayn Rand's Russian novel Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Alida Valli and Rossano Brazzi were the sexiest movie stars of Fascist Italy. Mussolini's son sponsored this adaptation of Ayn Rand's great novel of one woman's struggle to assert her individuality in a repressive society. It was anti-Communist so it got made (and was a hit) but individuality didn't go over so well under Fascism either, so it was banned and never was released again until the 1980s. The crappy video transfer from 20 years ago is still worth watching over and over - BUT WHY HASN'T ANYONE DONE ANYTHING WITH THIS CLASSIC SINCE? Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Outstanding movie. The best sequence is Captain Timoshenko's diatribe (and the dual lunge for the paper on the floor that is filled with incriminating evidence - LOL). Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

We the Living

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