A Special Day [Blu-ray]

Brilliant movie by director Ettore Scola, with amazing performances from Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Everything takes place within a large working class apartment complex, I believe in Rome, as Hitler pays a visit to Mussolini, and a large Fascist parade and celebration is being attended by the masses. Loren plays a family oriented house wife, and Mussolini supporter , along with her family. When they leave to attend the celebrations , she remains home, where through some accidents relating to the escape of her pet bird , she meets Mastroianni's character, a gay liberal radio announcer , who is looking after a friends apartment and looking to make a quik exit from Italy. Their meeting and the passions that this encounter release is the basic drive and subject of the film, which is beautifully acted by two screen legends.For me the film is about common ground, and the hopes and needs that make us human. The film works on some pretty deep levels , and rewards with repeated viewing.I definately recommend to film lovers, and of course fans of either of these actors. May very well be their finest performances.

When I first saw this movie there were no English sub titles, and I don't understand Italian, but I decided to give it a try just because of Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. As I sat back to watch I thought I would at least see a sexy Sophia doing a comedy romp with Marcello. Well I was in for a suprise this was a drama, and it takes place in pre war Italy. You didn't have to know the language as these two great stars made the language of life come alive with their performances. We see two people desperate for a change in their miserable lives joined together in a brief encounter that ends just a fast, and then, it's back to the misery, the crowded living conditions, the suspicious neighbors, the overworked house wife, with her 7 spoiled kids, while her selfish husband wants another baby to get more money from Mussolini. I knew there was a sad ending which I didn't get till I saw it again with English sub titles. Just a great film about the struggles in life that we could relate to in any language.

Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni are radiant in this, probably their finest collaboration. Brilliant acting from both, with a quiet intensity that is breathtaking. Hardly any of the other actors matter much, except the malicious concierge, as we are privileged to witness the "special day" shared by Antonietta and Gabriele, a day which breaks our hearts. The quiet intensity of the drama plays against the vulgarity of Hitler's meeting with Mussolini in Rome. The meeting and the militaristic parade are triumphalistically described by a radio announcer over loudspeakers that surround the encounter of these two solitary, tragic figures. The darkness represented by the loudspeaker bares its destructive power over the bond that develops between them in the devastating conclusion of the film. The seduction scene is handled with tragic intensity by Loren and Mastroianni. It is one of the most remarkable scenes in this great film and evoked a visceral reaction from me. The entire film overwhelmed me as few films have done.The unique "colour" cinematography enriches the authentic feel of the film. The extras are mighty fine in this Criterion release. Excellent interviews with the director, Sophia Loren and two segments of Dick Cavett with the two actors are all worth seeing. But the real jewel among the extras is the short film made by Sophia Loren's son, Human Voice. It complements the main feature with another powerful performance by the great actress as a solitary victim of a failed relationship. I highly recommend this film and this Criterion edition. It is a unique experience that lingers in the memory and in the heart.

This is a departure from what this iconic Italian duo usually portrayed. Set in the time when Mussolini ruled the country, and it was dangerous to oppose him, or just to be different, the story centers on two people who live in the same apartment building during the time when everyone else has turned out to hear the Leader speak. The taken-for-granted housewife is looking forward to spending the day in peaceful solitude when her pet bird escapes out the window. It perches on the sill of an elegant man across the way. She goes to ask if she can retrieve it from his apartment and so begins the dance of revelation between the two. A poignant ending brings home the implications of their relationship. You'll hardly recognize Sophia in this role and Marcello's character is a 180 from his usual leading man one. Beautifully shot in black and white.

Great film.....one that all should see. I'm learning Italian so appreciate that it's an Italian film with English subtitles.

Masterpiece. The characters & dialogues, the acting, the photography, all are perfectly compelling. A complex, beautiful, relatable story of connection, fragile yet life-changing, between an alienated housewife and her persecuted neighbor. Had seen this movie in my twenties when it came out. I saw it again recently, 40 years later. I of course was able to rediscover it to new depths.

A Special Day takes place in Fascist Italy on the day that Hitler entered the country and gave a speech. He was welcomed by a cheering crowd of giant proportions. Just about everybody came out to see him, waving flags. it was hard not to attend because any dissenter was afraid of being known. They used actual footage which was fascinating to see. Amidst this significant point in history a downtrodden housewife chases her escaped minah bird across the courtyard and knocks on the door of the nearest apartment for access. She meets Marcello Mastroianni, impeccably dressed and charming.It's really hard to imagine Sophia Loren in such a role but amazingly she carries it off. I was blown away. The relationship that ensues, first timidly and then… Well it's not what you're going to think it is

One of my top 3 films. Actors, script, dialogues, sets, cinematography ... Everything is just amazing.

a great movie, must see if you like Italian classics and a really good insight Fascist times

Much in this film is interesting, intelligent, moving. Particularly Sofia Loren gives a very convincing portrait of a taken-for-granted houswife against the backdrop of a dark time of history in Italy. Marcello Mastroianni to me seems overvalued as an actor, at least here.The tragedy of his fate and in a way theirs does not come across as riveting as it could be and it's not really a case of different cultural sensibilities between Italian and English.

Criterion has put out another great dvd ' A Special Day' with Sophia Loren & Marcello Mastroianni. This movie is a drama and not a comedy like their other movies. The acting was superb!

An excellent movie by Ettore Scola. Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni are superb! Highly recommended.