Christ Stopped at Eboli

Original title: Cristo si è fermato a Eboli

1979
2h 30m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.1K

YOUR RATING

Gian Maria Volontè, Paolo Bonacelli, Alain Cuny, Lea Massari, and Irene Papas in Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)

Play trailer1:47

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40 Photos

Drama

A doctor in Fascist Italy is exiled to a remote village for his political views.A doctor in Fascist Italy is exiled to a remote village for his political views.A doctor in Fascist Italy is exiled to a remote village for his political views.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 BAFTA Award
- 7 wins & 1 nomination total

Trivia
The title of the film and its source novel comes from an expression by the people of Gagliano who say of themselves, "Christ stopped short of here, at Eboli" which means, in effect, that they feel they have been bypassed by Christianity, by morality, by history itself-that they have somehow been excluded from the full human experience.

Goofs
On the bus, the way Carlo holds the dog changes.

Quotes
Luisa Levi: You'd need a woman here.
Carlo Levi: Yes, I would. But it's not easy.
Luisa Levi: Come on, don't exaggerate. Don't tell me that here even finding a cleaning lady is impossible.
Carlo Levi: Here a woman wouldn't go in the house of a single man. Just spending time together implies sleeping together.
Luisa Levi: You can't be serious.
Carlo Levi: Oh, yes I am.

Alternate versions
There are many versions ranging from 120 minutes to 222 minutes. The longest version available in the U.S. is 222 minutes and is available from the Criterion Collection on Blu-ray.

Connections
Featured in Il cineasta e il labirinto (2004)

User reviews14

Review

Featured review

8/10

A relatively unknown epic

220 minute epic (played as a TV series in Italy) that I downloaded randomly many years ago because GIAN MARIA VOLANTE was in it. An artist/communist/doctor played by VOLANTE is sent on exile during the second world war to a remote village. The village is full of superstitious peasants, fascist gentry, other exiles and a drunk pedo priest who is anti-fascist. Nothing much happens in the village except VOLANTE's character dealing with superstitious villagers who are impressed by his skills as a doctor. But he slowly becomes competition to the gentry who impose restrictions o him like confiscating his books and preventing him practicing medicine. The run down but spacious stone houses of the peasants and gentry where very pleasant looking to my Indian eye. This is very much a film of place. The stunning visuals of grand vistas, desolate countryside and the dark interiors of the stone houses make this a pleasant watch despite the terrible times it is set in. Some of the attitudes of the peasants and gentry and their longing for the glory of the roman empire reminded me of the India of today. The character played by VOLANTE could well be one of the culturally elite well read Indian intellectuals we all sneer upon. The score by PIERO PICCONI is very melancholic and it is played over and over again throughout the movie in nearly every scene. The painting with the sad girl looking at us during the title sequence. PAOLO BONICELLI's brilliant performance as the fascist mayor who befriends VOLANTE. So much to appreciate in this film.

(9/10)