1900 has been called “the last neo-realist epic ever filmed,” and probably with good reason. That alone, however, makes it worth the effort to sit through. Clocking in at 315 minutes, 1900 is an intimidating prospect, but one well worth it. While it’s not without its flaws (most notably, the dubbing is atrocious), I was utterly drawn in by the humor as well as the drama. And let’s not forget the incredible cast – Burt Lancaster, Donald Sutherland, Gerard Depardieu, Robert De Niro and some fantastic child actors. 1900 follows the lives of two boys – the peasant Olmo (Depardieu) and Alfredo (De Niro), a member of the landed gentry – both born on the same day that the composer Verdi died. Bertolucci uses their friendship and its demise as a device to cover several decades of Italy’s history, particularly the German occupation during WWII, the rise of fascism, and the struggles of and within the working class movement. Though graced with beautiful cinematography, a Morricone score, and stellar acting (with the exception of De Niro, whose performance seems increasingly off as the film wears on), it’s hard to tell exactly what Bertolucci wanted to convey, but to me it’s his sheer ambition that makes the film a must-see. They just don’t make movies like this anymore.