Christ Stopped at Eboli (film)
Christ Stopped at Eboli (), released in the United States under the title Eboli, is a 1979 drama film helmed by director Francesco Rosi. The movie is an adaptation of Carlo Levi's literary work and features Gian Maria Volonté portraying Levi, a political opponent exiled to the Basilicata region during the era of Fascism.
Presented out of competition at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival, the film notably became the inaugural recipient of the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1983.
It is also included in the compilation 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
Plot
Carlo Levi, originally from Turin, is a painter and writer who holds a medical degree but never practiced medicine. In 1935, he is detained by Mussolini's fascist government for his anti-fascist stance and subsequently exiled to Aliano (referred to as Gagliano in the novel), a secluded village in Basilicata. Despite the region’s scenic landscapes, its inhabitants endure poverty, isolation, and widespread emigration, particularly to the United States. With local physicians indifferent to the peasants’ needs, Levi steps in to provide medical assistance, establishing meaningful connections within the community.
Principal cast
- Gian Maria Volonté as Carlo Levi
- Paolo Bonacelli as Don Luigi Magalone
- Alain Cuny as Baron Nicola Rotunno
- Lea Massari as Luisa Levi
- Irene Papas as Giulia Venere
- François Simon as Don Traiella
- Antonio Allocca as Don Cosimino
Production
The majority of filming occurred across various locations in Basilicata, including the towns of Craco, Guardia Perticara, Aliano, and La Martella near Matera. Additional sequences were captured in Gravina in Puglia and Santeramo in Colle, situated within the region of Apulia.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, Christ Stopped at Eboli holds a 90% approval rating based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 8.10/10. The film received a 4 out of 5 stars rating from AllMovie.
Accolades
| Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago International Film Festival | Best Feature | Francesco Rosi | Template:Nom | 1979 |
| David di Donatello | Best Film | Template:Won | 1979 | |
| Best Director | Francesco Rosi | Template:Won | ||
| Nastro d'Argento | Best Supporting Actress | Lea Massari | Template:Won | 1979 |
| Moscow International Film Festival | Golden Prize | Francesco Rosi | Template:Won | 1979 |
| National Board of Review | Top Foreign Film | Template:Won | 1980 | |
| French Syndicate of Cinema Critics | Best Foreign Film | Francesco Rosi | Template:Won | 1981 |
| BAFTA Awards | Best Foreign Language Film | Francesco Rosi | Template:Won | 1983 |