British label Cult Films will add to its Blu-ray catalog four classic Italian films: Vittorio De Sica's
Umberto D. (1952) and
Marriage Italian Style (1964),
Boccaccio '70 (1962), and Luchino Visconti's
L'Innocente (1976).
L'Innocente
Synopsis: In 19th century Italy, Tullio (Giancarlo Giannini), a wealthy aristocrat, grows bored with his timid wife Giuliana (Laura Antonelli) and neglects her for his more exciting mistress (Jennifer O'Neill). After learning that his wife is having a torrid affair of her own, he becomes tormented by her infidelity and descends into madness.
Special Features:
- NEW HD master
- The Innocent at Work: a unique document: conversations with Renata Franceschi & Giorgio Treves, who both worked closely with Luchino Visconti during the making of The Innocent and remained close friends with the director.
- Featurette
- Separate Italian audio with new improved subtitles
STREET DATE: APRIL 10.
Umberto D.
Synopsis: A heartfelt portrait of an impoverished retired civil servant who lives in a rented room in post-war Rome with only his beloved dog and a teenage housemaid as companions. Faced with eviction when he can't keep up with his rent, the old man struggles to make ends meet and maintain his dignity, but his growing despair leads him to contemplate suicide.
Special Features:
- Vittorio D: A tribute to multi-awarded maestro filmmaker De Sica, a milestone of Cinema history. With participations from the likes of Clint Eastwood, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, etc…
STREET DATE: APRIL 24.
Boccaccio '70
Synopsis: Inspired by The Decameron, World-Cinema greatests, Fellini, Visconti and De Sica lend their extraordinary talents to make these slice-of-life stories revolving around the sex games of the middle class.
Working-class lovers marry but must hide it from her employer; plus, they need a room of their own. A billboard of Anita Ekberg provocatively selling milk gives a prudish crusader for public decency more than he can handle. The wife of a count whose escapades with call girls make the front page of the papers decides to work to prove her independence, but what is she qualified to do? A buxom carnival-booth manager who owes back taxes offers herself for one night in a lottery: a nerdy sacristan and a jealous suitor make for a lovers' triangle. In each, women take charge, albeit not always successfully…!
Special Features:
- Sophia, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: a candid intimate interview with Sophia Loren with exclusive footage of her family, close friends and collaborators such as Woody Allen, Giorgio Armani and others
- New improved subtitles
STREET DATE: MAY 29.
Marriage Italian Style
Synopsis: Rich shop owner Don Domenico (Marcello Mastroianni) meets 17-year old Filumena Maturano (Sophia Loren) in a Naples brothel during a Second World War air raid. He rescues her, sets her up as his mistress, and over the years exploits her ... She loves him dearly but is disillusioned when she finds he is having an affair with the shop's young cashier. To win him back, she stages her own death! … and when this doesn't work, she admits that she's the mother of three sons, one of whom is Domenico's; but she refuses to say which one! At long last he gives in and they finally get married. Loren gets her man!
Special Features:
- Sophia, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - a candid, intimate interview with Sophia Loren, with exclusive footage of her family, close friends and collaborators such as Woody Allen, Giorgio Armani and others
- Vittorio D - tribute to multi-awarded maestro filmmaker De Sica, a milestone of Cinema history. With interviews with Clint Eastwood, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh…
- Separate Italian audio with new improved subtitles
STREET DATE: JUNE 26.