The Magic Screen

Story

Synopsis

The time is the late 1920s, and Angelo and Tonino are two brothers traveling around the country in a rattle-trap truck, showing moving pictures to any group of people willing to pay. When they arrive in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Angelo strikes up a relationship with a wealthy marchesa connected to the fascist movement. Tonino, on the other hand, starts to follow the rebellious Giovanni, locked up for his anti-fascist stance, and the farmers who have joined in the anti-fascist forces. As the rebels are either murdered or put in prison, Tonino becomes more and more commited to their cause - especially after Giovanni is killed. When a silent movie on the condemned and dying Christ is shown on the brothers' screen, Tonino stops the action to project some slides he has taken that show who murdered Giovanni - in an action that calls for his brother and the rest of the bystanders to finally make a decision on where to place their loyalties.

Director

Gianfranco Mingozzi

Writers

Lucia Drudi Demby, Gianfranco Mingozzi, Tommaso Chiaretti

Language

Italian

Country

Italy

Release date

15 May 1982

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Massimo Ranieri

  Angelo

• 

  Paolo Ricci

  Tonino

• 

  Monica Guerritore

  Anna

• 

  Lina Sastri

  Nives

• 

  Remo Remotti

  Andrea

• 

  William Berger

  Giovanni

• Giulia Fossà

  Alberta

• 

  Rik Battaglia

• 

  Antonio Marsina