# Divorce, Italian Style

> 1961 Italian film

**Wikidata**: [Q1365174](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1365174)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_Italian_Style)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/divorce-italian-style

## Summary
Divorce, Italian Style is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by Pietro Germi, starring Marcello Mastroianni. The film satirizes Italian society and the legal system, particularly the difficulty of obtaining a divorce in Italy at the time.

## Key Facts
- Release date: December 20, 1961
- Country of origin: Italy
- Director: Pietro Germi
- Main actor: Marcello Mastroianni
- Genre: Comedy film
- Production companies: Lux Film, Titanus
- IMDb ID: tt0055913
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
- Runtime: 105 minutes
- Original title: Divorzio all'italiana
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 41
- Wikidata description: 1961 Italian film
- Awards received: Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Divorce, Italian Style?**
The film follows Ferdinando Cefalù, a Sicilian nobleman who plots to murder his wife so he can marry his cousin, taking advantage of a legal loophole that allows for a lighter sentence if the murder is committed in a "crime of passion" scenario.

**Why was this film significant in Italian cinema?**
Divorce, Italian Style was significant for its sharp social satire of Italian society and the legal system, particularly the difficulty of obtaining a divorce in Italy at the time. It helped establish Pietro Germi as a major director and showcased Marcello Mastroianni's comedic talents.

**What awards did Divorce, Italian Style win?**
The film won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay in 1963, making Pietro Germi the first Italian to win this category. It also won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

**Who were the main creative forces behind the film?**
Pietro Germi directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Alfredo Giannetti and Ennio De Concini. Marcello Mastroianni starred as the lead character Ferdinando Cefalù.

**How was the film received by critics and audiences?**
The film was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its clever screenplay, sharp social commentary, and Mastroianni's performance. It maintains a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered a classic of Italian cinema.

## Why It Matters
Divorce, Italian Style matters as a landmark film that used comedy to critique Italian society and its legal system, particularly the restrictive divorce laws of the time. The film's satirical approach to serious social issues demonstrated how comedy could be used as a powerful tool for social commentary. It helped establish the "commedia all'italiana" genre and influenced subsequent Italian filmmakers. The film's success also contributed to the international recognition of Italian cinema in the 1960s and showcased Marcello Mastroianni as one of the era's most versatile actors. Its Academy Award win for Best Original Screenplay marked a significant achievement for Italian cinema on the global stage.

## Notable For
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
- Achieving a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
- Being a defining example of the "commedia all'italiana" genre
- Featuring Marcello Mastroianni in one of his most acclaimed comedic roles
- Providing sharp social commentary on Italian divorce laws
- Winning the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival
- Being directed by Pietro Germi, a pioneer of Italian neorealism and social commentary in cinema

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
Divorce, Italian Style was produced by Lux Film and Titanus, two prominent Italian production companies. The film was directed by Pietro Germi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Alfredo Giannetti and Ennio De Concini. Germi, born in 1914, was already an established figure in Italian cinema known for his work in social realism and political filmmaking. The film stars Marcello Mastroianni in the lead role of Ferdinando Cefalù, with Daniela Rocca as his wife Rosalia and Stefania Sandrelli as his cousin Angela.

### Plot and Social Commentary
The film's plot centers on Ferdinando Cefalù, a Sicilian nobleman trapped in a loveless marriage with his cousin Rosalia. When he falls in love with his young cousin Angela, he discovers that Italian law makes divorce nearly impossible. He then devises a plan to murder his wife, taking advantage of a legal loophole that reduces the sentence for "crimes of passion" if the husband catches his wife in adultery and kills her in the heat of the moment. The film satirizes the absurdity of Italian divorce laws and the patriarchal society that created them, using dark humor to highlight serious social issues.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Divorce, Italian Style was both a critical and commercial success. The film's clever screenplay, sharp social commentary, and Mastroianni's performance were widely praised. It maintains a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on numerous reviews. The film's success helped establish the "commedia all'italiana" genre, which used comedy to critique Italian society and politics. It also contributed to the international recognition of Italian cinema in the 1960s and influenced subsequent filmmakers in their approach to social satire.

### Awards and Recognition
The film's most significant achievement was winning the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay in 1963, making Pietro Germi the first Italian to win this category. This recognition marked a significant milestone for Italian cinema on the global stage. Additionally, the film won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, further cementing its critical acclaim. The screenplay's clever structure and sharp dialogue were particularly praised by award committees and critics alike.

### Cultural Impact
Divorce, Italian Style had a lasting impact on Italian cinema and culture. It helped establish Marcello Mastroianni as one of the era's most versatile actors, capable of both dramatic and comedic roles. The film's critique of Italian divorce laws contributed to the ongoing public debate about family law reform in Italy, which eventually led to the legalization of divorce in 1970. The film's success also demonstrated the international appeal of Italian cinema's ability to combine humor with serious social commentary, influencing subsequent generations of filmmakers both in Italy and abroad.

### Technical Aspects
The film has a runtime of 105 minutes and was shot in black and white, which was common for Italian cinema of that era. The cinematography and direction effectively captured the Sicilian setting and the film's satirical tone. The screenplay's structure, moving from comedy to darker themes, was particularly praised for its skillful execution. The film's pacing and editing contributed to its effectiveness as both entertainment and social commentary.

### Cast and Performances
Marcello Mastroianni's performance as Ferdinando Cefalù is considered one of his most memorable roles. His ability to portray the character's scheming nature while maintaining audience sympathy was crucial to the film's success. Daniela Rocca's portrayal of Rosalia added depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character, while Stefania Sandrelli's performance as Angela captured the innocence and allure that drives the plot. The supporting cast effectively portrayed the various characters in the Sicilian community, adding authenticity to the setting.

### Historical Context
The film was released in 1961, during a period when Italian cinema was gaining international recognition. The early 1960s saw the continuation of neorealism's influence while also witnessing the emergence of more commercial and satirical films. Divorce, Italian Style bridged these approaches, using the techniques and social awareness of neorealism within a more commercial comedy framework. The film's critique of divorce laws was particularly timely, as public debate about family law reform was intensifying in Italian society.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1963)
3. Divorce, Italian Style. Rotten Tomatoes
4. IMDb
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/divorzio-all-italiana/)
7. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=97129.html)
8. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
9. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/26167)
10. mymovies.it
11. The Movie Database
12. Trakt.tv
13. FilmVandaag.nl