Three Brothers (1981): Cast & Plot
Three Brothers is a 1981 drama directed by Francesco Rosi, starring Vittorio Mezzogiorno as Rocco Giuranna / Young Donato, Charles Vanel and Philippe Noiret. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 53m (113 min)
- Director
- Francesco Rosi
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Italian - Studio
- Gaumont
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Three Brothers About?
The premise of Three Brothers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a southern Italian farmhouse an elderly matriarch dies, prompting her husband to summon his three sons. Raffaele, a Roman judge, is handling a perilous political case; Rocco, a Neapolitan counselor at a boys’ correctional institute, wrestles with faith and ideology; Nicola, a Turinese factory worker, is embroiled in labor disputes. Reunited, each brother confronts his past and reflects on the uncertain future.
Three Brothers Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- card game
- good versus evil
- fired
- lost ring
- old man
- old woman
- packing
- telephone booth
- police officer
- catholic priest
- reformatory school
- sadness
+38 more Show fewer
- united nations international children's fund
- watching tv
- italy
- years of lead
- 1980s
- daydreaming
- reference to breast feeding
- organ the musical instrument
- death
- corruption
- dream
- factory
- judge
- violence
- boy
- assassination
- ex husband ex wife relationship
- funeral wake
- south italy
- prostitute
- egg
- amnesty
- crocodile
- rosary
- bus
- hearse
- wedding ring
- faith
- homelessness
- bullet proof automobile
- hard boiled egg
- dog
- solidarity
- friend
- democracy
- wreath
- nursemaid
- tunnel
Three Brothers Cast & Characters
Vittorio Mezzogiorno leads the cast as Rocco Giuranna / Young Donato, with Charles Vanel as Donato Giuranna and Philippe Noiret as Raffaele Giuranna. Directed by Francesco Rosi; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Francesco Rosi
- Vittorio Mezzogiorno as Rocco Giuranna / Young Donato
-
Charles Vanel as Donato Giuranna -
Philippe Noiret as Raffaele Giuranna - Michele Placido as Nicola Giuranna
Also Starring in Three Brothers
· 10 more- Girolamo Marzano Nicola's Friend
- Andréa Ferréol Raffaele's Wife
- Marta Zoffoli Marta
- Simonetta Stefanelli Young Donato's Wife
- Pietro Biondi 1st Judge
- Accursio Di Leo 1st Friend at Bar
- Maddalena Crippa Giovanna
- Tino Schirinzi Raffaeles's Friend
- Rosaria Tafuri Rosaria
- Gina Pontrelli The Brother's Mother
More from Francesco Rosi
More films directed by Francesco Rosi: The Truce, The Palermo Connection, Chronicle of a Death Foretold and Carmen.
Three Brothers Plot Summary
What happens in Three Brothers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
An elderly matriarch dies on a farm in Southern Italy, and her grieving husband, Donato Giuranna, Charles Vanel, summons their three adult children from the cities where they now reside, bringing them back to the land that framed their family. The homecoming is heavy with unspoken pain and unfulfilled promises as each member faces personal dilemmas that could reshape their lives. Raffaele Giuranna, Philippe Noiret, a Rome-based judge, stands at a crossroads as he weighs presiding over a terrorism trial, aware that the decision could expose him to danger and public scrutiny.
Full summary
The whole story of Three Brothers, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Three Brothers?
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
What brings the three Giuranna brothers back to the family farm?
Three Brothers Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Trois frères” and “Tres hermanos”.
- Also known as
-
- Trois frères
- Tres hermanos
- Três Irmãos
- 3 Broers
- Τα Τρία Αδέλφια
- Tre brødre
- Drei Brüder
- Három fivér
- Три брата
- 三兄弟
- Tři bratři
- 삼형제
Seen Three Brothers?
Movies Like Three Brothers
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including My Brothers and I, Rocco and His Brothers and My Brothers.
Three Brothers FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Three Brothers, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Three Brothers?
Three Brothers runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).
When was Three Brothers released?
Three Brothers was released on March 19, 1981.
Who directed Three Brothers?
Three Brothers was directed by Francesco Rosi.
More films by Francesco Rosi Who is in the cast of Three Brothers?
Three Brothers stars Vittorio Mezzogiorno as Rocco Giuranna / Young Donato, Charles Vanel as Donato Giuranna and Philippe Noiret as Raffaele Giuranna, among 14 credited actors.
Does Three Brothers have a post-credit scene?
No. Three Brothers has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Three Brothers in?
The original language of Three Brothers is Italian.
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