Cinema Paradiso (1990): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Cinema Paradiso is a 1990 comedy drama directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Philippe Noiret and Enzo Cannavale. It runs 2 hours 35 minutes. It won 6 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1991. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 35m (155 min)
- Director
- Giuseppe Tornatore
- Original language
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Italian - Studio
- Miramax Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Cinema Paradiso About?
The premise of Cinema Paradiso without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a charming Italian village, a young boy named Salvatore is captivated by the local cinema and its projectionist, Alfredo. Their friendship blossoms as Alfredo shares his knowledge and passion for film with Salvatore, introducing him to the magic of the movies. Years pass, and an unexpected letter brings Salvatore back to his hometown, where he discovers a hidden secret and a poignant reminder of his cinematic beginnings, reigniting his love for filmmaking and the power of storytelling.
Cinema Paradiso Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- film projectionist
- cinema
- flashback
- blind man
- coming of age
- nostalgia
- italy
- funeral
- movie director
- priest
- projection booth
- film reel
+38 more Show fewer
- first love
- kiss
- mother son relationship
- bicycle
- projectionist
- projector
- altar boy
- widow
- sicily italy
- film censor
- catholic church
- maturation
- prostitute
- rome italy
- 1980s
- fictional city
- nitrate film
- cinephilia
- love letter to cinema
- village
- friendship
- sex scene
- movie theatre on fire
- melodrama
- haunted by the past
- generation gap
- 1940s
- accidental fire
- masturbation
- italian cinema
- censorship
- train station
- outdoor sex
- dr. henry jekyll character
- maid marian character
- robin hood character
- cattle
- dog
Cinema Paradiso Cast
Philippe Noiret leads the cast, with Enzo Cannavale. Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.
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Director Giuseppe Tornatore
More from Giuseppe Tornatore
More films directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, best-rated first: Ennio, The Best Offer, Malèna and The Legend of 1900.
Cinema Paradiso Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Cinema Paradiso 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.
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IMDb 8.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 8.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 84% User score
See on TMDB
Cinema Paradiso Plot Summary
What happens in Cinema Paradiso from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Beginning at the conclusion, the film opens with Salvatore’s mother conveying the news of Alfredo’s passing. Prompted by the somber news, Salvatore, a filmmaker who has spent years away from his hometown, quickly departs from Rome to attend the funeral. Through a series of poignant flashbacks, we delve into Salvatore’s childhood set in a post-WWII town in Southern Italy. As a young boy named Toto, he harbors a deep love for cinema, often sneaking into the local movie theater. Toto is particularly fascinated by the projectionist, Alfredo, and attempts to collect film cuts that have been censored by the church for containing kissing scenes.
Full summary
The whole story of Cinema Paradiso, scene by scene
Cinema Paradiso Awards & Nominations
Cinema Paradiso won 6 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1991. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1991, with 5 wins from 11 nominations.
6 wins13 nominations3 ceremonies
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BAFTA 1991 5 wins · 11 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Philippe Noiret
- Won Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Won Best Film Not in the English Language
- Won Best Original Music – Ennio Morricone
- Won Best Original Screenplay – Giuseppe Tornatore
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DGA Awards 1991 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Giuseppe Tornatore
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Golden Globes 1990 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Foreign Language Film
Cinema Paradiso Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Cinema Paradiso Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Cinema Paradiso?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the protagonist of 'Cinema Paradiso'?
Seen Cinema Paradiso?
Movies Like Cinema Paradiso
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Cinema Paradiso, Splendor and La Dolce Vita.
Cinema Paradiso FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of Cinema Paradiso, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cinema Paradiso?
Cinema Paradiso runs 2 hours 35 minutes (155 minutes).
When was Cinema Paradiso released?
Cinema Paradiso was released on March 1, 1990.
Who directed Cinema Paradiso?
Cinema Paradiso was directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.
More films by Giuseppe Tornatore Who is in the cast of Cinema Paradiso?
Cinema Paradiso stars Philippe Noiret and Enzo Cannavale.
How is Cinema Paradiso rated?
Cinema Paradiso has 8.5/10 on IMDb, 80 on Metacritic and 84% on TMDB.
What awards did Cinema Paradiso win?
Cinema Paradiso won 6 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1991.
Does Cinema Paradiso have a post-credit scene?
No. Cinema Paradiso has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Cinema Paradiso in?
The original language of Cinema Paradiso is Italian.
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