Where to watch the greatest Italian neorealism movies
Italian neorealism is one of the most important and influential movements in cinema history. It tells stories born from the circumstances they unfolded in but inspires multiple generations to come.
The founding figures and pioneers of the storied era sought to echo, evoke, and reflect the sweeping cultural, societal, and economic changes that swept through Italy during and after World War II. The movement’s leading lights captured the mood of a nation and relayed it to the world through the power of celluloid.
Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Michelangelo Antonioni are just some of the auteurs who didn’t just turn neorealism from a localised evolution into a pivotal moment for the moving image but went down in history as some of the finest and most gifted talents to ever step behind the camera.
Although the finest features from Italian neorealism are entirely reflective of their time, the trials and tribulations of the population showcased through the use of non-professional actors, on-location shoots, and a staunch dedication to authenticity displayed within have rendered them timeless masterpieces of the moving image.
If it wasn’t for Italian neorealism, then the entire complexion of the industry would look markedly different today. Everything from the ‘French New Wave’ to ‘New Hollywood’ is indebted in one way or another to the directors who shied away from the established conventions of the art form to focus on grounded, real, and relatable stories that trade in themes that remain as relevant as ever today.
Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, and Richard Linklater are just some of the modern-day heavyweights inspired by and indebted to Italian neorealism, but its influence extends far beyond that, with countless great films bearing the DNA of the movement to exist as spiritual successors.
Like any form of art, settling on the greatest examples of Italian neorealism is entirely down to taste and personal preference, but the ten curated by Far Out as the cream of the crop are worthy of that position, and the majority of them can be watched at the push of a button.
The best Italian neorealism movies and where to watch them:
- Shoeshine (Vittorio De Sica, 1946) – Plex, AppleTV+
- Germany, Year Zero (Roberto Rossellini, 1948) – BFI Player, AppleTV+
- Il Grido (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1957) – unavailable to stream
- Bitter Rice (Giuseppe De Santis, 1949) – unavailable to stream
- La strada (Federico Fellini, 1954) – AppleTV+, ITVX, Sky Store, Curzon, Amazon Video
- Umberto D. (Vittorio De Sica, 1952) – AppleTV+, Amazon Video
- Paisan (Roberto Rossellini, 1946) – BFI Player, AppleTV+
- The Earth Trembles (Luchino Visconti, 1948) – AppleTV+, Amazon Video
- Bicycle Thieves (Vittorio De Sica, 1948) – BFI Player, AppleTV+, Curzon
- Rome, Open City (Roberto Rossellini, 1945) – BFI Player, AppleTV+, ARTE
Chasing the Real: Italian Neorealism is at BFI Southbank from May 1st – June 30th, with selected films also available to watch on BFI Player.
Rome, Open City is re-released by the BFI in selected cinemas from May 17th.
