Italian Cinema gifted us with unique masterpieces in the past and is finding a new soul again nowadays. The most internationally renowned Italian films are likely those from the 1950s and 1960s, during the economic boom, which helped define the sentiment of “Italian-ness.”

However, Italy has been present in the world of cinema since the very inception of this technology. Periods of innovation alternated with phases of lesser quality, but Italian cinema has continuously reinvented itself with both classic genres and unique, distinctive ones.

Contents

The Origins (1896–1910)
The Silent Era – Cinema Muto (1910s)
The Crisis of the 1920s
The 1930s and Fascism
Neorealism in the Postwar 1940s
The Boom of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s
The Crisis of the 1980s and 1990s
From 2000 to the Present

The Origins (1896–1910)

The first film screenings in Italy took place in Rome and Naples in 1896. These films were brief, showcasing famous figures, cityscapes, local traffic, and natural disasters.

Educational and illustrative documentaries followed, often drawing themes from literature and history. One milestone was La Presa di Roma (1905), a 10-minute film featuring actors (then drawn from theater) and considered the first historical film—a genre that would be revisited many times in the future.

The Silent Era – Cinema Muto (1910s)

In the early 1910s, production expanded rapidly, particularly in the historical-mythological genre. These films aimed to entertain with more spectacular effects than earlier efforts.

Notable among them is Cabiria (1914), which introduced technical innovations such as tracking shots and close-ups (even influencing Metropolis). Historical epics of this period featured complex plots, expressive makeup, dramatic lighting, and elaborate set designs.

This era also saw the rise of the diva phenomenon, with actresses like Lyda Borelli and Francesca Bertini embodying the archetype of the femme fatale. While their performances might seem exaggerated today, they were skilled at expressing emotion through body language alone. Male stars like Amleto Novelli epitomized strong, brooding heroes.

Silent comedy also emerged, characterized by exaggerated movements, physical humor, and chaotic situations—laying the groundwork for a comedic tradition that still defines Italian cinema.

The Crisis of the 1920s

Following World War I, Italy faced resource shortages and lagged in technical and artistic development, while Hollywood’s influence grew.
Nationalist themes became popular, paving the way for the rise of fascism.

The 1930s and Fascism

Italy’s first sound film, La Canzone dell’Amore (1930), directed by Antonio Costa, was adapted from Pirandello’s novella In Silenzio.

From 1922 to 1943, under fascism, radio and cinema were tools for propaganda. Starting in 1926, it became mandatory to show LUCE newsreels before films in theaters. The regime financed productions, controlled content, and banned foreign films from 1938 onward.

In 1937, Cinecittà was established in Rome, becoming Europe’s largest film studio, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for all stages of filmmaking.

While documentaries about wars and historical themes reinforced connections to Roman and Risorgimento history, “white telephone” comedies gained popularity. These light-hearted romantic films were set in bourgeois homes and symbolized escapism from wartime realities.

The Venice Film Festival, founded in 1932, became one of the world’s oldest film festivals.

Neorealism in the Postwar 1940s

After World War II, Italian cinema entered a transformative phase, portraying the war and resistance in stark contrast to fascist narratives. These films depicted a rapidly changing society.

Rossellini’s Rome, Open City (1945) inaugurated the Neorealist movement, characterized by real locations, non-professional actors, and stories inspired by real events. Key directors included Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica (Bicycle Thieves, Miracle in Milan), Luchino Visconti (Ossessione, The Leopard), and Giuseppe De Santis (Bitter Rice).

Neorealism declined after 1948 due to political conservatism under the Christian Democrats, which opposed socially critical films.

The Boom of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s

From the mid-1950s to the late 1970s, Italian cinema achieved national and international prestige.

Film d’auteur explored existential themes, with notable directors like Federico Fellini (La Dolce Vita, 8½), Michelangelo Antonioni (Chronicle of a Love), and Pier Paolo Pasolini (The Hawks and the Sparrows).

The Commedia all’Italiana genre gained fame for its improvisation, creativity, and use of regional dialects, reflecting societal changes from postwar reconstruction to industrialization. Prominent stars included Totò, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Alberto Sordi, and Marcello Mastroianni.

Other successful genres included the Spaghetti Western (Sergio Leone), Giallo thrillers (Dario Argento), and Italian James Bond-style films.

The Crisis of the 1980s and 1990s

By the 1970s, Italian cinema faced challenges, including the loss of great auteurs like Rossellini and competition from technologically advanced Hollywood blockbusters.

The rise of television and DVDs further marginalized cinema. In 1976, the RAI monopoly ended, increasing free TV content but reducing cinema attendance and production quality.

Notable directors of this era included the Taviani brothers, Ermanno Olmi (Tree of Wooden Clogs), Bernardo Bertolucci (The Last Emperor), and Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso). Comedy evolved into darker tones with figures like Paolo Villaggio (Fantozzi) and Roberto Benigni. The cinepanettone holiday comedies also emerged during this time.

From 2000 to the Present

In recent years, Film d’auteur and comedies have remained central. Quality has improved, with Italian cinema gaining international recognition, partly thanks to figures like Quentin Tarantino.

Prominent filmmakers include Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah), Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, The Young Pope), and actors like Toni Servillo.

Main source: Antonio costa – storia del cinema italiano