St. Michael Had a Rooster

San Michele aveva un gallo

An impressive adaptation of a Tolstoy story, detailing struggles of an imprisoned revolutionary.

  • Director

    Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani

  • With

    Giulio Brogi, Daniele Dublino, Renato Cestiè, Vito Cipolla

  • Italy 1972. 91min

  • Digital 4K (restoration)

  • English subtitles

In 1870, during the societal tumult that eventually led to the unification of Italy, revolutionary activist Giulio leads a minor uprising in a small town, with tragic consequences. Adapted by the Tavianis from the Tolstoy story Divine and Human, this is a rich period meditation that employs the past as a prism to reflect upon the complex factionalism of 1970s Italian politics.

Restored by Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – Cineteca Nazionale and by Cinecittà S.p.A. at the laboratory at Cinecittà S.p.A.