ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS (1960, 168 min.)

Luchino Visconti’s epic masterpiece follows the Parondis, a poor, rural family struggling to adjust to urban life after moving from their village in southern Italy to Milan.  The film is divided into five chapters revolving loosely around the five brothers and their hardships. Troubles arise when Simone (Renato Salvatori) falls in love with a prostitute, Nadia (Annie Girardot), who in turn falls in love with Simone’s saintly brother, Rocco (the exquisite Alain Delon).  Simone’s obsession with Nadia will lead him to a treacherous crime, dashing Rocco’s hopes of keeping the family together.

“A fine Italian film to stand alongside the American classic, The Grapes of Wrath.” – New York Times.