Marcello Mastroianni was an Italian actor, considered one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema.
He was known for his charming, charismatic on-screen presence, and his ability to convey a range of emotions with subtlety and nuance.
Mastroianni appeared in over 150 films throughout his career, working with some of the most prominent directors in Italian and international cinema.
Best Marcello Mastroianni Movies
Some of his best-known roles include the character of Guido Anselmi in Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2,” and the role of Marcello Rubini in Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita.” In this article, we will discuss some of the best Marcello Mastroianni movies that showcase his talent and skill as an actor.
1. La Dolce Vita (1960)
“La Dolce Vita” is a 1960 Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini, which features Marcello Mastroianni as the lead character, Marcello Rubini.
The film follows Marcello, a journalist, as he navigates his way through the decadent and glamorous world of Rome’s high society.
Marcello is torn between his career ambitions and his desire for a meaningful existence, and he finds himself caught up in a series of complicated relationships with various women.
Mastroianni’s portrayal of Marcello is captivating, and he captures the character’s sense of disillusionment and longing for something more. The film is considered a masterpiece of Italian cinema and is widely regarded as one of Mastroianni’s best performances.
- Anouk Aimee, Anita Ekberg, Marcello Mastroianni (Actors)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
2. 8½ (1963)
“8½” is a 1963 Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini, which features Marcello Mastroianni in the role of Guido Anselmi, a filmmaker struggling with creative blockage.
The film follows Guido as he tries to find inspiration for his next film while dealing with personal and professional problems. Mastroianni’s performance as Guido is both charismatic and introspective, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and creative struggle.
The film is considered a masterpiece of Italian cinema and is widely regarded as one of Mastroianni’s greatest performances.
![8 1/2 (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41o6JXsmksL.jpg)
- Bruno Agostini, Anouk Aimée, Guido Alberti (Actors)
- Federico Fellini (Director)
- English (Subtitle)
- English (Publication Language)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
3. La Notte (1961)
“La Notte” is a 1961 Italian drama film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, which stars Marcello Mastroianni as Giovanni Pontano, a novelist struggling with his marriage and his own sense of identity.
The film takes place over the course of one night, as Giovanni and his wife Lidia (played by Jeanne Moreau) attend a party and confront the issues in their relationship.
Mastroianni delivers a subtle and complex performance as Giovanni, capturing the character’s detachment and insecurity.
The film is considered a masterpiece of Italian cinema and is widely regarded as one of Mastroianni’s finest performances.
![La Notte [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QACPN9APL.jpg)
- Marcello Mastroianni (La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2) and Jeanne Moreau (Jules and Jim, The Bride Wore Black)...
- Jeanne Moreau, Marcello Mastroianni, Monica Vitti (Actors)
- Michelangelo Antonioni (Director) - Ennio Flaiano (Writer)
- English (Subtitle)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
4. A Special Day (1977)
“A Special Day” is a 1977 Italian drama film directed by Ettore Scola, which stars Marcello Mastroianni as Gabriele, a radio broadcaster, and Sophia Loren as Antonietta, a housewife.
The film takes place on May 6, 1938, the day of a historic meeting between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini in Rome, which most of the city’s residents attend.
Gabriele and Antonietta, who do not share the same political views as their neighbors, stay behind and form an unlikely bond.
If you like Marcello Mastroianni’s performances, on our sister site AuteurGraph we have a profile page, a visual film timeline, and a ratings page that gives a tonne of info and data about their career in a visualized form.
Mastroianni delivers a poignant and understated performance as Gabriele, conveying the character’s sense of isolation and longing. The film is considered a masterpiece of Italian cinema and is widely regarded as one of Mastroianni’s most moving performances.
- The disk has English audio and subtitles.
- Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, John Vernon (Actors)
- Ettore Scola (Director)
- English (Subtitle)
5. Everybody’s Fine (1990)
“Everybody’s Fine” is a 1990 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, which stars Marcello Mastroianni as Matteo Scuro, a retired bureaucrat who embarks on a journey to visit his adult children after they cancel a planned family reunion.
Along the way, Matteo reflects on his life and the choices he made as a father. Mastroianni delivers a subtle and introspective performance as Matteo, conveying the character’s regrets and his desire for connection with his children.
The film is considered one of Mastroianni’s finest performances in his later years, showcasing his ability to convey emotional depth and complexity.
- Marcello Mastroianni, Michèle Morgan, Valeria Cavalli (Actor)
- Giuseppe Tornatore (Director)
- English, Korean (Subtitles)
- Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
6. The Suspended Step of the Stork (1991)
“The Suspended Step of the Stork” is a 1991 Greek drama film directed by Theo Angelopoulos, which stars Marcello Mastroianni as Alexandre, a journalist who becomes involved in a political and personal drama in an unnamed country.
The film explores themes of identity, memory, and the human condition. Mastroianni delivers a nuanced and thoughtful performance as Alexandre, capturing the character’s inner conflicts and uncertainties.
The film is considered one of Mastroianni’s most challenging roles, and he rises to the occasion, delivering a performance that is both compelling and haunting.
- Audio CD – Audiobook
- Ecm Records (Publisher)
3 Reasons To Watch Marcello Mastroianni Movies
Masterful Acting: Marcello Mastroianni was one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, known for his ability to portray complex characters with depth and nuance.
His performances were subtle, yet powerful, and he brought a sense of authenticity and realism to every role he played.
Iconic Italian Cinema: Mastroianni was a prominent figure in the golden age of Italian cinema, working with some of the greatest filmmakers of the time, such as Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Vittorio De Sica.
Watching his films is a window into the rich cultural heritage of Italian cinema, with its unique blend of humor, drama, and social commentary.
Timeless Themes: The films featuring Mastroianni deal with timeless themes such as love, identity, social injustice, and the human condition.
They offer a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience, allowing us to connect with characters and stories that are as relevant today as they were when they were first made.
Best Marcello Mastroianni Movies – Wrap Up
Marcello Mastroianni was a legendary Italian actor who left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
From his early work in neorealist films to his iconic collaborations with filmmakers such as Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti, Mastroianni’s performances were masterful and nuanced, showcasing his ability to convey a wide range of emotions and characters.
Some of his most memorable films include “La Dolce Vita,” “8½,” “A Special Day,” “La Notte,” “The Organizer,” “Divorce Italian Style,” and “Sunflower.”
These films not only showcased Mastroianni’s immense talent but also contributed to the rich legacy of Italian cinema.
Watching Marcello Mastroianni’s films is an opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of Italian cinema and experience the timeless themes and stories that continue to captivate audiences today.
