Pagliacci (1948 film)

Pagliacci

Original poster for Pagliacci, 1948
Directed by Mario Costa
Produced by Alberto Giacalone, Leopoldo Imperiali
Written by Carlo Castelli, Mario Costa
Starring Tito Gobbi and Gina Lollobrigida
Cinematography Mario Bava
Edited by Otello Colangeli
Distributed by Itala Film
Release dates
1948
Running time
81 minutes
Country Italy
Language Italian

Love of a Clown, or Pagliacci, is a 1948 Italian film based on Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci, directed by Mario Costa. The film stars Tito Gobbi and Gina Lollobrigida. It recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. The only actor in the cast who also sang his role was the celebrated Italian baritone, Tito Gobbi, but the film is largely very faithful to its source material, presenting the opera nearly complete.

The film premiered on 16 April 1950 in the USA. It is notable for having been filmed largely in outdoor settings, much like a big-budgeted film version of a Broadway musical.

Cast

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