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The main feature of the extras comprises a 50-minute documentary on Vittorio De Sica. It
makes for interesting viewing, even if it is largely a montage of film clips and old
interviews, particularly for those (like me) unacquainted with his other work. Most
surprising are clips from the film De Sica made following The Bicycle Thieves, a modern
fantasy fairytale (Miracle In Milan) that sees people taking off into the clear blue
sky on broomsticks - as far as you could hope to get from neo-realism. Overall, the
documentary is let down by a rather smug, self-congratulatory presentation by De Sica
himself.
A meagre selection of poster and lobby stills and a trailer round off a mediocre package.
The subtitling of the main feature, however, is truly excellent and intuitive. Obvious
statements and gestures are left untranslated so as not to clog up the screen, with only
the most basic comments in English. This doesn't detract from the film's impact in anyway,
rather allows you to get the full flavour, with minimal distraction, and is how all foreign
films should be subtitled.
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The poverty of opportunity in post war Italy. Out on re-release in December. |  |
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Writer: Cesare Zavattini, Oreste Biancoli, Suso Cecchi d'Amico, Vittorio De Sica, Adolfo Franci, Gerardo Guerrieri, based on the novel by Luigi Bartolini
Certificate: 
Year: 1948
Product Code: FCD251
DVD Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Sound: Dolby Digital
Extra Features: Timeless Cinema: a documentary on Vittorio De Sica; trailer; original poster artwork & lobby stills
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