Il Decameron (The Decameron) (1970)

91% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(3,065 ratings)

The Decameron was the first of director Pier Paolo Pasolini's "trilogy of life." The film, based on the sexually supercharged tales of Boccaccio, is a patchwork of many of Pasolini's favorite themes. Pasolini himself plays the role of an aspiring fresco painter who is advised that his completed work… More The Decameron was the first of director Pier Paolo Pasolini's "trilogy of life." The film, based on the sexually supercharged tales of Boccaccio, is a patchwork of many of Pasolini's favorite themes. Pasolini himself plays the role of an aspiring fresco painter who is advised that his completed work will never be as satisfying as his dream of that work. The film is followed by Pasolini's The Canterbury Tales and The Arabian Nights. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1970 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2009

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Marvelous.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Working with an Italian classic, he seems less inclined to transform his material, though what emerges is entertaining, if only in a mild way.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
Those with gentle sensibilities and who regard nuns as sacred should avoid this film.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Pasolini departed further from the spare Neorealism of his early career and hit upon a formula that won him unanticipated commercial success.
, Time Out
The sight of the endless assembly of seemingly toothless proles Pasolini picked up as extras can be a bit intimidating.
Leo Goldsmith, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Pasolini questions his own dream, his idealization of this beautiful, bucolic world he has created in which peasant and artist and the Virgin Mary coexist in divine harmony.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
down to earth indictment of human folly well worth checking out
, Film4
It's par for the course with this kind of film that it doesn't all work, but it's continually fascinating.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Earthy, vibrant adaptation of eight stories from the fourteenth-century work by Boccaccio. Probably Pier Paolo Pasolini's most purely enjoyable film with comedy and little erotic.
Cassandra M

he unapologetic choice of ancient, crumbling and dirty locations, coupled with the choice of "real-looking" actors devoid of manufactured graces made this film feel right. 14th century Italy surely was as full of natural humour, even in close proximity to death, as this film… More
he unapologetic choice of ancient, crumbling and dirty locations, coupled with the choice of "real-looking" actors devoid of manufactured graces made this film feel right. 14th century Italy surely was as full of natural humour, even in close proximity to death, as this film makes out. Casual sex in spite of the threat of mortal sin is treated likewise with candour. A real masterpiece showing humanity in all its various forms.
Greg S

Pier Paolo Pasolini adapts several stories from Boccacio's "Decameron", focusing on the bawdy and anti-clerical. Slow and arty, and several of the tales fizzle at their climax; rarely have grave-robbing, infiltration into a convent of sex-starved nuns, and dong shots… More
Pier Paolo Pasolini adapts several stories from Boccacio's "Decameron", focusing on the bawdy and anti-clerical. Slow and arty, and several of the tales fizzle at their climax; rarely have grave-robbing, infiltration into a convent of sex-starved nuns, and dong shots been made so boring. His CANTERBURY TALES and ARABIAN NIGHTS are in the same vein, but somewhat superior.
James B

Pasolini's adaptation of nine stories from the ancient text, Bocaccio's 'Decameron', is an entertaining romp! Pasolini's specialty is using 'regular people' and not trained actors in his films. This gives the subject matter a wonderful realism… More
Pasolini's adaptation of nine stories from the ancient text, Bocaccio's 'Decameron', is an entertaining romp! Pasolini's specialty is using 'regular people' and not trained actors in his films. This gives the subject matter a wonderful realism because all these people are not gorgeous Hollywood-types. Some of the stories are not as entertaining as others, but as a whole, it was very entertaining!
Dimitris S

Boccaccio would have been proud..and cautious at first,it's a delightful pleasure to watch Decameron,striking images and anarchic events taking place,Pasolini once again bedazzles us.