Watch The Italian Straw Hat

The Italian Straw Hat is a hilarious silent film directed by Rene Clair and released in 1928. Adapted from a play by Eugene Labiche, the movie centers around a series of mishaps that occur on the day of a man's wedding. The film is set in rural France in the late 19th century. The protagonist of the movie is Fadinard (played by Alexej Bondireff), a well-meaning but bumbling young man who is on his way to marry his fiancée, Hélène (played by Marise Maia). On the way to the wedding, Fadinard's horse accidentally eats a straw hat belonging to a married woman named Anaïs (played by Alice Tissot). Fadinard becomes enamored with Anaïs and tries to replace her hat before her husband finds out.

The Italian Straw Hat is a farce in the classic sense. The film features absurd coincidences, misunderstandings, and slapstick humor. In one memorable scene, Fadinard attempts to have the hat repaired by a series of increasingly incompetent hatmakers. The film also features a satirical depiction of French bourgeois society, which is portrayed as stuffy and hypocritical.

Despite being a silent film, The Italian Straw Hat features some impressive technical achievements. The movie was shot on location in the French countryside, giving it an authentic feel. The camera work is also noteworthy, as the film employs innovative camera angles and tracking shots. The movie also features a score by Georges Auric, which enhances the film's comical tone.

The performances in The Italian Straw Hat are uniformly excellent. Alexej Bondireff is charming as Fadinard, and his physical comedy is reminiscent of Buster Keaton. Marise Maia is also strong as Hélène, providing a grounding presence amidst the chaos. Alice Tissot is hilarious as Anaïs, and her facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission.

The Italian Straw Hat was released at a time when the popularity of silent films was waning, as talkies were starting to become more common. Despite this, the movie was a critical and commercial success. Its success can be attributed to its universal appeal. The film's humor transcends language barriers, making it accessible to audiences around the world. The Italian Straw Hat remains a beloved classic to this day, and it has influenced countless comedies in the years since its release.

In conclusion, The Italian Straw Hat is a delightful film that is still enjoyable almost a century after its release. Its combination of physical comedy, satire, and absurdity make it a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience. Fans of silent cinema, classic comedies, and French culture will all find something to love in this gem of a film.

The Italian Straw Hat is a 1928 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.