L'Inferno is a 1911 Italian silent film, loosely adapted from Inferno, the first canticle of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. L'Inferno took over three years to make, and was the first full-length Italian feature film.Original release date: March 10, 1911
PlotDante is barred from entering the hill of salvation by three beasts that bar his path (Avarice, Pride, and Lust). Beatrice descends from above and asks the poet Virgil to guide Dante through the Nine Circles of Hell. Virgil leads Dante to a cave where they find the river Acheron, over which Charon ferries the souls of the dead into Hell. They also see the three-headed Cerberus, and Geryon, a flying serpent with the face of a man. They see the Devil eating human beings whole, harpies eating the corpses of suicides, an evil man forced to carry his own severed head for eternity, people half buried in flaming lava, etc.There follows a series of encounters in which the two meet up with a number of formerly famous historical figures whose souls were denied by both Heaven and Hell, and they listen to some of their tales told in flashback. These characters include Homer, Horace, Ovid, Lucanus, Cleopatra, Dido, the Queen of Carthage, the traitor Caiphus, Count Ugolino, Peter of Vigna, Francesca Da Rimini and her lover Paulo, Brutus and Cassius, Mohammed and Helen of Troy. The main attraction of the film are the fantastic set designs depicting the horrors of Hell, with excessive violence and gore, designed to frighten the audience into becoming pious or God-fearing.Cast:Salvatore Papa as Dante AlighieriArturo Pirovano as VirgilioGiuseppe de Liguoro as Il conte UgolinoAugusto Milla as LuciferAttilio MottaEmilise BerettaDirected by: Francesco BertoliniAdolfo PadovanGiuseppe De LiguoroBased on:The Divine Comedy by Dante AlighieriScore by:Mike Kiker
Hercules (Italian: Le fatiche di Ercole 'The Labours of Hercules') is a 1958 Italian peplum film based upon the Hercules and the Quest for the Golden Fleece myths. The film stars Steve Reeves as the titular hero and Sylva Koscina as his love interest Princess Iole. Hercules was directed by Pietro Francisci and produced by Federico Teti. The film spawned a 1959 sequel, Hercules Unchained (Italian: Ercole e la Regina di Lidia), that also starred Reeves and Koscina.Original release date:20 February 1958 (Italy)
In this melange of characters and events from separate mythological stories, Hercules, demigod and superman, arrives in the ancient Greek kingdom of Iolcus to tutor Iphitus, son of king Pelias; immediately on arrival, he falls in love with the king's delectable, briefly clad daughter Iole. Before he can win her, he must succeed in a series of quests, in the course of which he teams up with Jason, true heir of Iolcus, whom he accompanies on the famous voyage of the Argonauts. Written by Rod CrawfordDirected by: Pietro FrancisciProduced by: Federico TetiBased on: The Argonauts by Apollonius of RhodesCast:Steve Reeves as HerculesSylva Koscina as IoleFabrizio Mioni as JasonIvo Garrani as Pelias, King of IolcusGianna Maria Canale as Antea, Queen of the AmazonsArturo Dominici as EurysteusMimmo Palmara as Iphitus, son of PeliasLidia Alfonsi as The SibylGabriele Antonini as UlyssesAldo Fiorelli as ArgosAndrea Fantasia as LaertesLuciana Paluzzi as Iole's maid as Luciana PaoluzziAfro Poli as ChironGian Paolo Rosmino as AesculapiusWilli Colombini as PolluxFulvio Carrara as CastorGino Mattera as OrpheusGina Rovere as AmazonLily Granado as AmazonAldo Pini as TifiGuido Martufi as Iphitus, as a childPaola Quattrini as Iole, as a child
L'Inferno [Dante's Inferno] (1911)
L’Inferno is a silent Italian film directed by Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, and Giuseppe de Liguoro. Released in 1911, it is considered one of the earliest and most significant adaptations of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy. L’Inferno took over three years to make, and was the first full-length Italian feature film.
The film follows Dante as he journeys through the nine circles of hell, guided by the poet Virgil. The visuals are striking and innovative, utilizing hand-painted backdrops, miniatures, and stop-motion animation to create a vivid and surreal depiction of the underworld.
At the time of its release, L’Inferno was a major achievement in special effects and visual storytelling. It was also a commercial success, drawing in audiences around the world and inspiring numerous imitations and adaptations.
Despite the film’s age and (original) lack of sound, its themes and visuals remain powerful and evocative. The torments of the damned, the eerie landscapes, and the overarching message of divine justice continue to resonate with audiences today.
L’Inferno has had a lasting impact on cinema and popular culture, influencing filmmakers and artists for generations. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of film or the enduring legacy of Dante’s masterpiece.
PLOT
The film follows Dante, played by Salvatore Papa, as he is lost in a dark forest and is visited by the ghost of the poet Virgil, played by Arturo Pirovano. Virgil tells Dante that he has been chosen to journey through the nine circles of hell, to witness the torments of the damned.
The two descend deeper into the underworld, crossing through the gates of Hell and encountering the souls of the damned. The first circle is Limbo, where the virtuous pagans reside. In the second circle, Dante and Virgil meet those who have given in to lust. In the third circle, they encounter the gluttons, who are tormented by Cerberus, the three-headed dog.
As they descend deeper, they witness the punishment of the avaricious and prodigal, who are forced to push giant weights against each other. In the fifth circle, they meet the wrathful and the sullen, who are punished by being stuck in a muddy river.
In the sixth circle, they encounter the heretics who are trapped in fiery tombs. In the seventh circle, they encounter the violent, divided into three parts: those who have been violent against their neighbors, against themselves, and against God.
In the eighth circle, Dante and Virgil find the fraudulent, including false prophets, counterfeiters, and seducers. They also encounter the traitors, who are frozen in ice up to their necks.
In the ninth and final circle, Dante confronts Satan himself, trapped in ice and chewing on the three worst sinners of history: Brutus, Cassius, and Judas Iscariot.
RESCORING & COLORIZATION OF L’INFERNO
L’Inferno has been given a new life through the efforts of moonflix and composer Jay Danley. The film has been colorized and re-scored, bringing a fresh perspective to this classic adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy.
The film follows Dante as he journeys through the nine circles of hell, guided by the poet Virgil. The vivid and surreal depictions of the underworld are now enhanced by the addition of color, giving new depth and dimension to the haunting imagery.
Jay Danley’s new score adds to the atmosphere, building tension and emotion throughout the film. His use of orchestration and sound design helps to create a deeper sense of immersion for viewers.
L’Inferno has been a landmark film in the history of cinema since its initial release, and this new version allows modern audiences to experience it in a fresh and exciting way. The efforts of moonflix and Jay Danley have breathed new life into this classic work of art, and it is sure to captivate audiences for generations to come.
For fans of silent cinema, Italian culture, and classical literature, this new version of L’Inferno is a must-see. The new colorization and re-scoring provide a unique and engaging experience, highlighting the enduring appeal of Dante’s vision of the afterlife.
OTHER VERSIONS OF L’INFERNO
We are pleased to offer an additional version of L’Inferno, scored by the creative genius Mike Kiker and colorized by moonflix. Experience Dante’s journey through Hell with this legendary soundtrack and experience the classic film in yet another way. Don’t miss out on another truly incredible version of this film!
CREATORS
Directed by Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, and Giuseppe De Liguoro
Based on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Score by Jay Danley
Restored, upscaled, and colorized by moonflix.com
CAST
Salvatore Papa as Dante Alighieri
Arturo Pirovano as Virgilio
Giuseppe de Liguoro as Il conte Ugolino
Augusto Milla as Lucifer
Attilio Motta
Emilise Beretta
Original release date:
March 10, 1911
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