Product Details

• Actors: Vittorio Gassman, Doris Dowling, Silvana Mangano, Raf Vallone, Checco Rissone
• Directors: Giuseppe De Santis
• Writers: Giuseppe De Santis, Carlo Lizzani, Carlo Musso, Corrado Alvaro, Franco Monicelli
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homevision
• VHS Release Date: June 16, 2000
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0780022130
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,032 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

One of Italy's most commercially successful films, Bitter Rice packed theaters around the world despite being banned by the Legion of Decency in the United States. Though intended as a scathing indictment of harsh conditions endured by women laboring in Italy's rice fields, the film's enormous popularity was largely attributed to the erotic appeal of young Silvana Mangano. The former Miss Rome became a star overnight for her sultry debut as an impoverished yet voluptuous laborer who turns down the chance to emigrate to a better life in South America in favor of a steamy affair with her best friend's lover. Ironically, Marxist writer and director Giuseppe De Santis, one of the founders of Italy's post-World War II neorealist movement, virtually brought the genre to an end with Bitter Rice by demonstrating that sex was a far greater draw than social criticism.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Curio!, January 4, 2001

By 

jason fury (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bitter Rice [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a fascinating glimpse into the Italian film industry right after World War II. Sylvana Mangano is gorgeous and unforgettable as the troubled bad girl who joins the small army of "rice girls" who suffer through back-breaking work to earn extra money during the rice season. Vittoria Gassman is hunky and sexy and fascinating as an evil con guy. Marvelous camera work, earthy performances--a far cry from the Hollywood gloss and glamor of the late 40s. This must have been a delightful shock to post-war America, surfeited with Betty Grable musicals and Greer Garson Britishness. "Bitter Rice" is still a gutsy, sensuous, earthy experience where one film character actually says the word "bra"!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Boogie Woogie Italian Style!, August 3, 2010

By 

Stefanie Casey (The Cultural Sojourner) "Stef" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bitter Rice (DVD)

What better way to depict the clash of cultural values than by blending elements of Neo-Realism with American film genres? The setting of the panoramic Po River Valley is obviously Marxist, as many felt this was the only area in which a true 'Workers Revolution' could occur. The plot is melodramatic, involving lust, crime and murder. Silvana is closely associated with Americanism in her love of tabloids, boogie-woogie, and bubblegum. De Santis' incorporation of gangster and western formulas celebrate American cinema, showing its appeal, yet almost undermining the film's message supporting traditional values. Americanism is ultimately condemned, as Silvana realizes the promise for a new way of life is empty, bringing the film to a shockingly dramatic conclusion. Ironically, this film launched Silvana Mangano as a sex symbol. This is another milestone and testament of the many achievements in Italian film. Bravo!

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MANGANO & GASSMAN DINAMITE DUO., September 15, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (America the beautiful.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bitter Rice [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I first saw this engaging movie back in yhe early fifties at the World movie palace in N.Y.C. It was BOLD and controversey erupts all arround this magnificant love story post world war two. A movie not to be missed.