Product Details

• Actors: Ted Dalaku
• Directors: Marino Amoruso
• Writers: Marino Amoruso
• Producers: Joseph Allegro, Michael Stramiello
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 200 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767012739
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,449 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In a broad overview, Italians in America highlights the tragically ironic 100-year struggle for assimilation of the immigrants whose forefathers not only discovered this country, but gave it its name. In this 100-minute documentary, the history of the Italian-American story begins with the migration from southern Italy after unification. The masses of these non-English-speaking immigrants survived and ultimately overcame language barriers, negative stereotypes, and prejudice that first put them at the bottom of the urban pecking order. What is most revealing about this documentary is not necessarily the superficial story of Italian immigrants, in which the basic plot of homeland desertion, poverty, discrimination, and triumph are common elements in other immigrant communities. What it adeptly points out, though, is that the Italians were often the community to do things first, best, and biggest, thus integrating Italian culture inextricably into American culture. It divides Italian-American history into several sociological events including the largest mass exodus into the United States in history, the first successful labor unions, the rise of the largest organized crime families (which is refreshingly downplayed), the importance of the tight Italian family, the rise of Italian movie stars, singers, and athletes, and of course the food. Although too brief to go in depth about any of these phenomena, the film does a lovely job of emphasizing the undeniably profound influence Italian Americans have had in defining American culture. --Elizabeth Massa

Product Description

In 1492 an Italian navigator discovered the New World and for the next five centuries Italians would leave their ancient homeland to begin a new life on these shores. ITALIANS IN AMERICA uncovers this amazing and rich heritage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo to Italians in America, September 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Uniontown Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italians in America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although I am an Irishman, I loved the fact how the video informed me on how Irish and Italians are the most integrated nationality in America. Their common bond with the Catholic Religion, toughness as a people, and their willingness to fight for their rights.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understand the Drive to become Italian-American, November 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Italians in America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video helped me to understand my Italian heritage, and how my ancestors were driven to come to this country to make a better life for themselves. It explains when and why the Italians began to immigrate to this great country, and the difficulties they endured while trying to become integrated in this new world. Overcoming the language barrier, and the prejudices by other ethnic groups that immigrated around the same time, were some of the obstacles they faced. Italian traditions, and the Italian family life style and structure were threatened by the intense need to assimilate, which was necessary for survival. Assimilation, however, was a terribly slow process because of the language barrier. If you're interested in how and why you became an Italian-American, you should see this video. It'll make you very proud of your ancestors, your culture,and your heritage. It'll give you a better perspective on what it means to be Italian-American, and make you feel proud to be one.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Film counters traditional Itlo-American stereotypes, May 14, 1999

By 

Brian A. Bernardoni (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italians in America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Italians in America shows the real struggle that Itlo-Americans faced in this country from the first immigrants to today. While the documentary promotes our great culture, our heroes in sports, film and the arts it gave a pass to Hollywoods depiction (generally unfavorable) of Itlo-Americans. It also failed to show the real bias that exists against Italian Americans in some major cities with regards to politics. I also would have hoped that Chicago, which has the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Taylor Street - which is heart of Italian Chicago - could have been profiled. This being said, the film was well done, well written and well researched.