Cinema Paradiso lives up to its name!

Good luck finding this special edition! (which has the long directors cut and the original release) But I am sure there are many copies of the movie that won for best Foreign Film at the 1990 Oscars. Check out the IMDB and see that it also won every other award on the planet!! The first time I saw this film, I was stunned. That is the best way to put it. Not only was I moved by the deep pathos, humor and humanity of the characters, but by the very essence of the story. It truly is epic, covering the span of a man's life-time and that of the town in which he grew up and was nourished. It is about the love of film media as it was in its infancy; the beauty and excitement of seeing a man and woman making love on screen, (or in this case, not making love). Most of the action takes place in a small, Catholic, Italian village. It follows the life of a young fatherless boy "Toto" and his relationship with the generous man, Alfredo, who runs the projector at the town's cinema (Cinema Paradiso). Weaving throughout this rich story is a soundtrack written by a Master writer and arranger, Ennio Morricone. He has worked on almost 500 projects, major movies, TV shows, specials, etc. His better known American work is reflected in his Oscars for Bugsy, Days of Heaven, The Untouchables, and one of my favorites, The Mission. Mr. Morricone's theme for Cinema Paradiso will echo through your head and heart for days, drawing you to watch it again and again; as much to hear the music as to relive the life-affirming story.

A Movie to Fall in Love With

One of my ten favorite movies--this is an evocative, funny, sad, poignant
coming-of-age film. A successful filmmaker returns to his impoverished boyhood home in Sicily to attend the funeral of his mentor, friend, and father-substitute who saw him through his childhood,guided him to follow his passion for movies, and banned him from Giancaldo, their dust bowl town with no future.
Told as a flashback, this simple film is centered on the relationship between these two characters. At Alfredo's knee, next to the Cinema Paradiso projector, Toto learns about life, love, movies, sex, disappointments, loyalty, longings and the central importance of this friendship that formed the child who became a successful middle aged director without personal satisfaction. His return to his roots after 30 years' absence draws into sharp focus the town, the same people--just older, the same crazy old guy "closing" the streets at night, declaring the town square his, and the Cinema Paradiso, lying in disrepair about to be razed. In this case it's: so far and yet so near. As far as he's traveled in time, place, and status, he's instantly transported back in time--but with the hindsight the passing years have given him. Watching his first film taken of his first and only real love, and watching Alfredo's bequest of a compilation of all the kisses and love scenes the town priest had years ago censored, he is moved to his core at the reminder of his past, his losses, and the price he paid for success. As the credits roll, there is a glimpse of that girl, now 30 years older, browsing in a store , no doubt in his proximity, and you can't help but wonder if he'll get it right now.

you will love Cinema Paradiso

i first heard of this movie in my high scool class. the teacher just put it on and watched it with the class. i found easy to connect to the characters. its just a movie ill never forget and one of my favorites. also has really good music themes by Ennio Morricone. i think the DVD cover gets it right it says " anyone who loves movies is likely to love Cinema Paradiso!". the movie is in italian with english/spanish subtitles. its Academy Award Winner Best Foreign Language Film 1989.

Cinema Paradiso- 89 Academy Award for best Foerign Film

there is nothing to dislike about this movie... it is haunting, poignant, charming,and rich with love,life,and even death. It is one of the top five movies I truly love. The Director`s cut, btw, has the intended ending... how he comes face to face with Elena again.
Both versions of this movie are exemplary... but the original leaves you wondering,thinking,pondering,n​ot only about things in the movie, but parallels of everyday life,concerning everyman`s One That Got Away...on another level, it is an homage to the love of movies itself, what with that montage of romantic clips at the end, it is one of the most emotional rides you will ever find in cinema. Also in there is some of the most romantic prose I have ever heard,one of the most defining kisses ever recorded in the history of film, and a rich portrayal of deep characters, as we watch them age over the decades.
Cinema Paradiso is one of the most gorgeous movies you will ever hope to see. This stuff melts the hardest of hearts. Phillipe Noiret delivered the best performance that year in acting.His portrayal of Alfredo, the aging and subsequently blind projectionist who steers his young protege` into a life of movie-making, is what makes me appreciate just what a Good Actor really is. This is 5-stars out of five, literally, cinematic art.

The Joy of Cinema

One movie critic described the Italian "Cinema Paradiso" as a "love letter to cinema". That is indeed true, but it is a love letter to the movie lover in us all as well. A letter we would all love to send one back to, if given the opportunity. This is my love letter to "Cinema Paradiso". What is so striking about this film is how, in many ways, it breaks many film traditions. The film feels like a strange mix of biography and fantasy. The viewer is enthralled with the wonderful characters that inhabit this small Italian town, who grow and evolve along with the film. Although the film centers on the growth and maturation of Toto - played by three different actors corresponding to childhood, adolescence and adulthood - the best part of the film is Alfredo, the projector operator and father figure to Toto. Alfredo is one of the very few characters that can simultaneously make the viewer feel the heights of joy with the pangs of sadness. Indeed, it was Alfredo who made me weep at the end of the film due to this strange, beautiful combination that made this wonderful piece of film-making my absolute favorite film.