A masterpiece of Italian cinema, Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (Il Conformista) is now finally given a much-anticipated re-release on Raro Video, the label’s latest offering of Italian classic films, both rare and popular. The Conformist debuted in 1970 and revolutionized political drama, favoring style and visual technique over action and content, and establishing Bertolucci as a fresh talent worldwide.
In fact, The Conformist was not the director’s first film. But it was his first film that truly struck hard and left a lasting impression, offering a unique and intriguing character study on one of the most enigmatic story figures in cinema, as well as giving other filmmakers a master class in the art of chiaroscuro. The director also managed to assemble one of the most alluring and glamorous casts, including Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, and Dominique Sanda, capturing each performer at a crucial moment in their career.