The Decameron
Seen it?1971 | 111 min | History, Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (79% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved The Beguiled, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect sex.
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
A young Sicilian is swindled twice, but ends up rich; a man poses as a deaf-mute in a convent of curious nuns; a woman must hide her lover when her husband comes home early; a scoundrel fools a priest on his deathbed; three brothers take revenge on their sister's lover; a young girl sleeps on the roof to meet her boyfriend at night; a group of painters wait for inspiration; a crafty priest attempts to seduce his friend's wife; and two friends make a pact to find out what happens after death.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
79% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 80K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Franco CittiCiappelletto
- Ninetto DavoliAndreuccio of Perugia
- Jovan JovanovićRustico (scenes deleted)
- Angela LucePeronella
- Vincenzo AmatoMasetto of Lamporecchio
- Giuseppe ZigainaMonk
- Maria Gabriella MaioneUna Madonna
- Vincenzo Cristo
- Pier Paolo PasoliniAllievo di Giotto
- Giorgio IovineLizio da Valbona