Search - Bread and Chocolate on DVD

Great movie - AWFUL DVD!

R. Epstein | USA | 08/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film is as significant as it is delightful because it is even more relevant today than in the 1970s. Today, most of Europe is populated by immigrant workers from all parts of the continent and Africa. And there is still the same kind of pecking order (those of you who've seen the film forgive that pun!): The Swiss look down on Italians, North Italians look down on Southern Italians, they in turn look down on Turks etc. The film bravely laughs at all our cultural flaws and salutes them. And Nino Manfredi... what a gem! Part Charlie Chaplin and part Marcello Mastroianni, he's a wonderful blend of pathos and sweetness with just the right drop of vulgarity.
BUT...! Be forewarned, the DVD is the worst I've ever seen! The print they transferred is FULL of scratches, pops, and splices that chop off whole sentences. The light scenes are often washed out and the dark scenes are far too dark. And there are a number of occasions where the subtitles were lost in the white background. I can't imagine that they couldn't find a decent print of this film anywhere. Still, if you can't find a rental copy anywhere, it's still better to have even this awful version than no version at all."

Lousy Copy

E.J. Morgan | New Milford, NJ USA | 02/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While the movie is delightful, this DVD should have been condemned. The titles are unreadable 30 to 40% of the time. What slappdash work on a good movie. The producers should be ashamed."

Impossibility overwhelms the dream

Ben Dati | Havertown, PA United States | 08/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although all performances are beautifully done, Nino Manfredi demonstrates an awesome level of acting skill that draws the audience into the midst of his trials and laughable tribulations. The best comment I ever read by a reviewer of this film (many years ago)was: "You'll laugh 'til your heart breaks." And so it goes. Don't miss it!!!"

A memorable movie

Ted Shigematsu | 11/18/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my favorite movie when I was studying film in college. It is certainly a comedy, but one that has remained with me almost 25 years now. I recall the "chicken-coop" scene every few months, and begin going thru the emotion and questioning that I experienced when watching so long ago. Although the film moneymen had wanted a simple slapstick comedy, the director fooled them and created a movie of depth behind the laughs. This created bad feelings and I believe there were lawsuits and the film was shelved for a time, despite winning awards. The movie is very funny but it's like a tootsie-pop...the candy is great but the chewy middle makes it special."