Life Is Beautiful (1997)
Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning Italian masterpiece blends comedy and heartbreak in an unforgettable tale of love and sacrifice.
Life Is Beautiful - Movie Information
- Original Title: La vita è bella
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Roberto Benigni
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: German, Italian, Czech, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 20, 1997 (Italy - T), October 22, 1998 (United States - PG-13), November 6, 1998 (Canada - PG), February 12, 1999 (United Kingdom - PG), November 12, 1998 (Germany - 6), October 21, 1998 (France - U), February 5, 1999 (Brazil - 12), February 26, 1999 (Mexico - B-15), February 26, 1999 (Spain - APTA), April 13, 2016 (South Korea - All)
- Alternative Titles: La Vida es Bella (SV), 인생은 아름다워 (KR), Η ζωή είναι ωραία (GR), La vie est belle (CA), Life Is Beautiful_ La vita è bella (ID), A Vida é Bela (PT), La vita è bella (IT), La vida es bella (MX)
- Production Companies: Mario e Vittorio Cecchi Gori - C.E.I.A.D., Melampo Cinematografica
- Production Countries: Italy
Life Is Beautiful - Plot
A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is deported to a concentration camp during World War II. While locked up he tries to convince his son that the whole thing is just a game.
Life Is Beautiful - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the heart of this extraordinary film:
An unforgettable fable that proves love, family and imagination conquer all.
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Life Is Beautiful - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roberto Benigni
Main Cast
- Roberto Benigni
- Nicoletta Braschi
- Giorgio Cantarini
- Giustino Durano
- Sergio Bini Bustric
- Marisa Paredes
- Horst Buchholz
- Lidia Alfonsi
- Giuliana Lojodice
- Amerigo Fontani
Writers
- Vincenzo Cerami
- Roberto Benigni
Producers
- Gianluigi Braschi
- Elda Ferri
Life Is Beautiful - FAQs
Where can you stream Life Is Beautiful?
Life Is Beautiful is available to stream on MGM+, Philo, and Kanopy (free). It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Is Life Is Beautiful based on a true story?
The film is not based on a single true story, but it was inspired by the memoir In the End, I Beat Hitler by Rubino Romeo Salmonì, a Holocaust survivor. Director Roberto Benigni drew on real historical events and personal family history to shape the narrative.
What happens at the end of Life Is Beautiful?
Guido is captured and executed by a Nazi soldier just before the camp is liberated. His son Giosué survives, believing the whole ordeal was a game his father invented for him. Giosué is reunited with his mother Dora, and the film closes with his adult voice reflecting on his father's sacrifice.
Who are the main actors in Life Is Beautiful?
The film stars Roberto Benigni as Guido, Nicoletta Braschi as Dora, and Giorgio Cantarini as their young son Giosué. Supporting roles include Giustino Durano, Sergio Bini Bustric, Marisa Paredes, and Horst Buchholz.
Did Life Is Beautiful win any major awards?
Yes. Life Is Beautiful won three Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actor (Roberto Benigni), and Best Original Dramatic Score (Nicola Piovani). It also won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and numerous other international honors.
What is the age rating for Life Is Beautiful?
Life Is Beautiful is rated PG-13 in the United States. The film contains thematic elements related to the Holocaust, wartime violence, and persecution, though it handles these subjects with a blend of tenderness and restraint rather than graphic depiction.
How long is Life Is Beautiful?
Life Is Beautiful has a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes (116 minutes). The film is divided into two distinct halves: a lighthearted romantic comedy set in pre-war Italy, followed by a deeply emotional story set inside a Nazi concentration camp.
What language is Life Is Beautiful filmed in?
The film is primarily in Italian, which is its original language. It also features dialogue in German, Czech, and English. As an Italian production, it is most commonly watched in Italian with subtitles, though dubbed versions are widely available.
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