Cabiria (1914)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(1,013 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 3 hr. 1 min.
Directed By: Giovanni Pastrone
Written By: Gabriele D'Annunzio
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1914 Wide
On DVD: Nov 7, 2000

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
In its particular way, Cabiria is beautiful and enthralling.
, New York Times
The mechanical effects are thrilling and excellent, and the photo drama is one of the most effective ever shown here.
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.
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
, Film4
This stunning silent epic was a huge influence on D.W Griffiths when he came to make Intolerance, and matches that film for scope, vision and spectacle.

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Cast

            Alex Bernard as Massinissa

            Antonio Branioni as Bodasforet

            Luigi Chellini as Scipio Africanus Major

            Enrico Gemelli as Archimedes

            Almirante Manzini as Sophonisba

            Umberto Mozzato as Fulvio Axilia

            Ernesto Pagani
            
            Bartolomeo Pagano as Maciste

            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
            
See full cast