I, His Father (1939)
A devoted ex-boxer father steers his son toward Italian championship glory, only to watch ambition collide with temptation in this classic Italian drama.
I, His Father - Movie Information
- Original Title: Io, suo padre
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Mario Bonnard
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 8, 1939 (Italy - VM14), December 29, 1939 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Io, suo padre (IT)
- Production Companies: Scalera Film
- Production Countries: Italy
I, His Father - Plot
An ex-boxer has trained his own son and leads him on to win the middle-weight championship of Italy. But the boy falls easy prey to a woman of light morals and renounces the hard work of sport to follow her to a winter luxury resort and at a certain moment, offers to marry her but she, not wanting to give up an advantageous connection, turns him down, advising the youth to not change the nature of their relationship. Then, the boy feeling the entire baseness of his situation, returns home to his parents who welcome him back with joy and takes up again a commitment to sport.
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I, His Father - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mario Bonnard
Main Cast
- Erminio Spalla
- Augusto Lanza
- Evi Maltagliati
- Mariella Lotti
- Clara Calamai
- Carlo Romano
- Guido Notari
- Piero Pastore
- Vittorio Venturi
- Lauro Gazzolo
Writers
- Mario Bonnard
- Amedeo Castellazzi
- Ivo Perilli
I, His Father - FAQs
What is I, His Father about?
I, His Father follows a devoted ex-boxer father who trains his son to become Italy's middle-weight champion. When the young man falls for a morally dubious woman and abandons sport for her, he eventually confronts the emptiness of that choice and finds his way back to family and athletic purpose.
Who directed I, His Father?
Mario Bonnard directed I, His Father. Bonnard was a prolific Italian filmmaker who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Amedeo Castellazzi and Ivo Perilli. The film was produced by Scalera Film and released in Italy in March 1939.
Who stars in I, His Father?
The film stars Erminio Spalla as Romolo Tonelli, the ex-boxer father, and Augusto Lanza as his son Masetto. The supporting cast includes Evi Maltagliati, Mariella Lotti, and Clara Calamai, who would go on to become one of Italian cinema's most celebrated actresses of the era.
When was I, His Father released?
I, His Father premiered in Italy on March 8, 1939, with a VM14 age rating. It later opened in Germany on December 29, 1939, with a 12 certificate. The film is an Italian production from Scalera Film, one of the prominent studios of the period.
What role did Clara Calamai play in I, His Father?
Clara Calamai plays Renata in I, His Father. This was among her earlier screen appearances before she rose to stardom in Italian cinema. Calamai later became famous for her bold roles in 1940s Italian films, making her presence here a notable piece of cinematic history.
What genre is I, His Father?
I, His Father blends Drama and Romance. At its heart, it's a story about family loyalty, moral temptation, and personal redemption, set against the world of competitive boxing in late 1930s Italy. The film balances emotional family dynamics with a cautionary romantic subplot.
How long is I, His Father?
I, His Father runs for 90 minutes. It's a compact, focused drama that moves efficiently through its story of a father's ambitions for his son, the son's moral detour, and his eventual return to family and sport — all within a brisk, well-paced runtime.
What are some films similar to I, His Father?
If you enjoy I, His Father, you might also appreciate Martin Eden (2019), a rich Italian drama exploring ambition and identity, or Wander Darkly (2020) and A Journal for Jordan (2021) for their emotional depth. Anne+: The Film (2021) and My Tender Matador (2020) also offer compelling character-driven storytelling.
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