Watch The Decameron

The Decameron is a 1971 Italian comedy film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. The film is based on the classic Italian book of the same name by Giovanni Boccaccio. The movie is set in 14th century Florence as the city is ravaged by the Black Death. The plot revolves around a group of young Florentines who escape the plague-ridden city and retreat to a countryside villa where they spend their days telling each other stories.

The film is divided into several chapters, each one telling a different story. The tales range from bawdy and humorous to melancholic and moralistic. In one story, a dimwitted peasant inadvertently outwits a priest and the bishop who try to cheat him out of his money. In another story, a beautiful but promiscuous woman is punished for her infidelity by her jealous husband. And in yet another story, a young man is taught a lesson in the dangers of greed by a wise old king.

Throughout the movie, Pasolini weaves together themes of love, lust, morality, and social hierarchy. The characters in each story come from different walks of life - from aristocrats to peasants - and their stories show how the plague has impacted every level of society. Some stories are meant to shock and provoke, while others offer a whimsical escape from the harsh realities of the Black Death.

The film also explores the relationship between sex, power, and class. Many of the stories involve sexual desire, and the characters' actions are often motivated by their desire to gain power or climb the social ladder. Pasolini depicts sex in both a playful and a powerful way throughout the film, and the scenes range from comical to erotic.

One of the most notable aspects of The Decameron is its visual style. Pasolini's use of color and composition is stunning, and the film is a feast for the eyes. The cinematography captures the lush Tuscan landscape and creates a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere throughout the film.

The cast of the film is also noteworthy. Pasolini used many of his regular collaborators, including Franco Citti and Ninetto Davoli, who both appeared in several of his films. Citti plays the lead character in several of the stories and delivers a solid performance, while Davoli provides comedic relief and a touch of charm.

Despite its comedic tone, The Decameron is not without its darker moments. The film's exploration of the impact of the plague on 14th-century society is poignant, and Pasolini does not shy away from depicting the horrors of the disease. The film's final story, in particular, is haunting and serves as a reminder of the fragility of life.

Overall, The Decameron is a visually stunning, playful, and sometimes bawdy exploration of life, love, and morality set against the backdrop of the Black Death. Pasolini's adaptation of Boccaccio's classic work is a must-see for fans of Italian cinema, and it remains a staple of Pasolini's filmography.

The Decameron is a 1970 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.