Life Is Beautiful

You would never know what this movie is about from the first half. The start is all romance and comedy as Roberto Benigni is a jokester and romantic who falls for Nicoletta Braschi. In the 2nd half they and their young son are taken away by the Nazis to a concentration camp. It’s so bitter sweet to watch him trying to sugar coat what’s happening to them to his son. It’s such a contrast in parts it’s hard to believe it’s the same movie. One moment you’re watching Benigni profess his love to Braschi the next she learns that the Germans are gassing people. What’s amazing is that it maintains Benigni’s sense of humor and humanity all the way through.

Loved every moment ! When first shown it was in Italian , so wonderful I watched it twice without knowing much Italian

A welcome off-beat, light-hearted look at the Holocaust that allows the viewer to truly sympathize with the horrors Italian-Jews faced in a much more profound way than the shock and awe approach of most other films. This story stays with you in a good way to see how the optimist handles the cruelest of fates. Teenagers especially, should see this film to see the big picture from this small family's story.

I really enjoyed watching this movie and loved how upbeat the father in the story remained for his little boy, despite the circumstances. It was inspiring in so many ways. What I didn't enjoy and subtracted 2 stars for was the DVD itself. There was no option to "Play Movie" from the main menu, instead I had to go to "Select a Scene", pick the first box, and start the movie from there. The movie started in widescreen format with the scene slightly distorted but then, after 5-10 minutes, switched to full screen mode all on its own. The only language choices for sub-titles were Chinese and English. I have the feeling that this DVD may be a dubbed version and not an original copy. Since it plays I will just keep it but I don't think that I would take a chance on ordering from this seller again. Sorry...

I love this movie. Luckily, my kids don't mind subtitles. It brought up so many great conversations about history, subliminal manipulation, love, perspective, perseverance.. love. They loved the first half and really absorbed the second. They agree it's a great (and funny) movie, but it's also horrific.

A wonderful movie. I loaned an earlier copy out because I really wanted my friends to see it. It was never returned so I just purchased a new one for our collection. The movie shows love at its finest!

I believe this movie could have been based on a true story. As a mother I think I would have done anything to keep my child from experiencing the horrors of a concentration camp. I was very moved by this story.

Definitely worth the purchase. One of those films that i can only watch every once in a while because of the emotional weight you carry with the nature of the film. One of my favorites.

What can you say about Life is Beautiful that isn't already expressed by the trophy cabinet full of awards that it has garnered? An extraordinary piece of film making that tackles a very sensitive subjct with a uniquely tender approach. A film that reaffirms the value of love and which must be one of Roberto Benigni's greatest works.The transfer to Blu-Ray is excellent, and it is good to have the option of both the original Italian and the English dubbed versions of the soundtrack (as well as a third in French) and the optional subtitles.The additional extensive documentary features are good too, but it is worth noting that the "making of" feature is more a piece about how the film came to be made than about the craft element of the process.Note that the single one-star review currently on this item is from someone who received the wrong film, so is not a review of the film itself or of this disc and inaccurately downgrades what would otherwise be a top marks review average.

Very sad do not like the end of the movie

I found the quality of the disc poor. I can get a clearer version off YouTube.😫That being said it will serve its purpose.