70 From The 70’s Part II: #61

Bernardo Bertolucci’s ‘The Conformist’ (1970) is a rich film with very specific techniques done that helps conquer a leveled world of cinema. ‘The Conformist’ (1970) starts off the 1970’s with a look into Italian cinema, and the impact it carried. The story follows a man who agrees to the fascist ideal to kill an old teacher of him. As the story goes on, it’s clear what this film is unraveling. The Star and the director of this film both pull a lot, and they end up creating a masterful Italian film that breaks a mold of typical cinema. 

Bernardo Bertolucci writes and directs this Italian look at fascism during the war. His style of writing and directing is judgmental, on every side. This would give him a best writing Academy Nomination, and boost a future for the man. His hand over the subtlety of this movie leads us down a path and through an excellent story. Bertolucci would go on later in his career to end up winning best director and writer for his work on ‘The Last Emperor’ (1987) almost twenty years after this film. His craft is sharp and he managed to always evolve with cinema, and ‘The Conformist’ (1970) is a wonderful start to his lengthy career.

The hand of fascism looms over this entire film for obvious reasons. Much of this story is drowned in the wartime fascism that was happening. We get to see the manipulation and the corruption that would stem from all of this. The weak willed people of the world were the targets, and being able to control them was the ultimate goal. ‘The Conformist’ (1970) deals with these points delicately, and with great understanding. The way the story is structured, and how it is written out, we get to see judgment on the face of this film, and we truly understand the horror of what can be confirmed.

Foreign cinema was booming in the 1970’s. We got all sorts of different films from all around the globe. Bernardo Bertolucci and Federico Fellini both ran with the Italian cinema, even though directors like Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci also played a big part in it from the decade before. There was a bit more of a darkness to Italian cinema, and most foreign cinema for that matter. There is a different view point on the world, and because of this, the tones are all different. There is more of a brutal and raw look at the horrors in cinema than some American filmmakers can do. This all being the case, we end ip with some very interesting and poetic works that resonate through time.

The cinematography of this picture truly is one masterful work. Vittorio Storaro, the famed Italian cinematography manages to give this entire movie its feel with the visuals playing into the story so much. There is an importance on when and where lighting should be used, and what kind of color palette is conformed, and in this one, there is a purpose for the lack of brightness. Foggy and dull most times, this proves the point of a dwelling society under the fascist rule. Vittorio Storaro is definitely a legend, and his craft in works like ‘The Conformist’ (1970) really prove his points on making cinema incredible. 

‘The Conformist’ (1970) is not a film I would say is meant to be “enjoyed” per-say, however, it is a brilliantly constructed script with so much attention to detail. There is a lot to take in with this quiet film and it is definitely worth a watch. The term oil of the script is meaningful though stressful, and the visuals bring home a sense of class and consistency throughout the entire picture. If you’re looking to get into some foreign cinema of the 1970’s, ‘The Conformist’ (1970) is a great place to start.