Cabiria (1914)
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100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(1,063 ratings)
Cabiria is an Italian historical epic that ran a full 14 reels (well over three hours) at a time when most American films were still short subjects. The plot hinges on the abduction of wealthy and virginal Cabiria (Lidia Quaranta) by pirates during the Roman/Carthaginian War of ancient times.… More Cabiria is an Italian historical epic that ran a full 14 reels (well over three hours) at a time when most American films were still short subjects. The plot hinges on the abduction of wealthy and virginal Cabiria (Lidia Quaranta) by pirates during the Roman/Carthaginian War of ancient times. Highlights (many of which were filmed on tinted stock) include the burning of the Roman fleet, an effect accomplished with miniatures and mirrors, and Hannibal's crossing of the Alps -- with real Alps, and real elephants. Cabiria allegedly inspired the Babylonian segment of D.W. Griffith's 1916 Intolerance. At least four versions of this film exist, each prepared by Giovanni Pastrone. The two most prominent are a 1913 silent cut that runs a full 181 minutes, and a 1931 sound cut that runs 137 minutes, which underwent advanced restoration in 2007. Both versions were screened at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Giovanni Pastrone
- Written By
- Gabriele D'Annunzio
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1914 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Both one of the most influential films ever made and one of the most rarely shown.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
In its particular way, Cabiria is beautiful and enthralling.
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, New York Times
The mechanical effects are thrilling and excellent, and the photo drama is one of the most effective ever shown here.
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Pat Graham, Chicago Reader
Giovanni Pastrone's 1914 film is one of several early Italian epics that significantly influenced the form and flow of the feature film, then in its developmental infancy.
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
. The exotic drama, suspense, and daring stunts on display in Pastrone's film of "12,000 shots" is every bit, if not more effective, than that of modern filmmakers whose use of green-screen CGI is frequently used more as a crutch than a meaningful storyte
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Cast
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Alex Bernard
as Massinissa
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Antonio Branioni
as Bodasforet
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Luigi Chellini
as Scipio Africanus Major
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Enrico Gemelli
as Archimedes
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Almirante Manzini
as Sophonisba
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Umberto Mozzato
as Fulvio Axilia
- Ernesto Pagani
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Bartolomeo Pagano
as Maciste
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Lidia Quaranta
as Cabiria
- Carolina Catena
- Gina Marangoni
- Dante Testa
- Alessandro Bernard
- Amedeo Mustacchi
- Catena
- Domenico Gambino
- Edoardo Davesnes
- Emilio Vardannes
- Felice Minotti
- Fido Schirru
- Giuseppe Ferrari
- Ignazio Lupi
- Italia Almirante-Manzini
- Raffaele di Napoli
- Vitale Di Stefano
