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Carlo Lizzani

Carlo Lizzani

Director, writer and actor, also producer · Died October 5, 2013, aged 91 · Rome, Lazio, Italy

Carlo Lizzani was an Italian film director, screenwriter and critic. Born in Rome, after World War II Lizzani worked on such notable films of the late 1940s as Roberto Rossellini's Germany Year Zero, Alberto Lattuada's The Mill on the Po (both 1948) and Giuseppe De Santis' Bitter Rice (1950, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Story). After helming documentaries, he debuted as a feature director with the admired World War II drama Achtung! Banditi! (1951). He films an episode of L'Amore in Città. Respected for his awarded drama Chronicle of Poor Lovers (1954), he has proven a solid director of genre films, notably crime films such as The Violent Four (1968) and Crazy Joe (1974) or erotic comedy Roma Bene (1971). He worked frequently for Italian television in the 1980s and was a member of the jury at the Berlin Film Festival in 1994. His film Celluloide deals with the making of Rome, Open City. He committed suicide in 2013.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 3, 1922
Died
October 5, 2013 (aged 91)
From
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Works as
Director, writer and actor, also producer
Titles
14 on MovieCove · 79 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 32% in 30 days

What are Carlo Lizzani's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Power and Morality.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Power
29%
Morality
20%
Self
17%
Survival
11%
Bonds
8%
Ideas
8%
Society
7%
Power3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · Serious 5 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
3
Dread
2
Warm
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Carlo Lizzani's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 14 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Carlo Lizzani's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

79 credits, 14 with a MovieCove page; 21 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • We Weren't Just Bicycle Thieves: Neorealism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Writer · as Narrator / Self

  • Mr. Teddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Scossa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Luchino Visconti: Life as in a Novel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Writer

  • All Human Rights for All (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Writer

  • Hotel Meina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Writer

  • Giuseppe De Santis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director

  • Through Children's Eyes - De Sica & Shoeshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Behind Love and Anger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Thanks · as Self - Director (segment "L'indifferenza")

  • Le cinque giornate di Milano (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Creator

  • Western all'italiana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Cesare Zavattini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Luchino Visconti(1999)

    Director · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • John XXIII: The Pope of Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Pio XII

  • Maria Josè, l'ultima regina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Pope John XXIII (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Pio XII

  • Roberto Rossellini: Fragments and Jokes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · as Narrator

  • La Donna del Treno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Celluloide(1996)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Rome, November 12, 1994 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Stato d'emergenza - Il caso Dozier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • The Wicked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • 12 Directors for 12 Cities (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Dear Gorbachev (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Devils of Monza(1987)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Assicurazione sulla morte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Un’isola (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Screenplay

  • Mother Ebe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Writer

  • Nucleo Zero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · Screenplay · Writer

  • Farewell to Enrico Berlinguer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · as Self

  • Sabatoventiquattromarzo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • The House of the Yellow Carpet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Inverno di malato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Writer

  • Venezia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Fontamara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Kleinhoff Hotel(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • San Babila-8 P.M. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Writer

  • The Teenage Prostitution Racket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Writer

  • The Last 4 Days(1974)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Crazy Joe(1974)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Black Turin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • Roma bene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Tough and the Mighty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer · as Journalist (uncredited)

  • Love and Anger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • The Bandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer

  • Black Jesus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Producer

  • The Violent Four (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Police official (uncredited)

  • Requiescant(1967)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • The Hills Run Red(1966)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Wake Up and Die(1966)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Thrilling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • The Secret Agents(1965)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • La Celestina P... R...(1965)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Amori pericolosi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Writer

  • It's a Hard Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Verona Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director

  • To Arms, We Are Fascists! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Thanks

  • Gold of Rome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Duel of Champions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Screenplay

  • The Policeman on Horseback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director

  • The Hunchback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Esterina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director

  • Behind the Great Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Director

  • The Screwball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Director · Writer

  • Human Torpedoes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Screenplay

  • Chronicle of Poor Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Amore che si paga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director

  • Love in the City(1953)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • At the Edge of the City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Writer

  • Attention! Bandits! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Something Changed in Midday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director

  • Under the Olive Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Screenplay

  • Modena, una città dell'Emilia rossa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Director

  • Bitter Rice(1949)

    Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Mill on the Po (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    First Assistant Director

  • Germany Year Zero(1948)

    Assistant Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Togliatti è ritornato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Tragic Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Co-Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Outcry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Screenplay · as Don Camillo, il prete

Career shape

A full career of 79 titles from 1946 to 2013.

Biggest box office

Germany Year Zero (1948)

$12K worldwide

Highest rated

Germany Year Zero (1948)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

  • 1968Screen debut· The Violent Four

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting10 of 79: 5 only acting, 5 with another roleDirecting62 of 79: 27 only directing, 35 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thWriting39 of 79: 5 only writing, 34 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndProducing4 of 79: 1 only producing, 3 with another roleOther crew5 of 79: 3 only other crew, 2 with another role

79 titles, 38 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 31 of them.

By decade

1940s6 · 1 acting · 6 crew1950s12 · crew1960s19 · 2 acting · 19 crew1970s7 · crew1980s13 · crew1990s5 · crew2000s14 · 5 acting · 10 crew2010s3 · 2 acting · 2 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Carlo Lizzani's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 14; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 14 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 14 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director, writer

La Celestina P... R... (1965)

79th percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · writer

Germany Year Zero (1948)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 67/100 and the pacing 48/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Carlo Lizzani work with?

People who share at least 2 of Carlo Lizzani's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Franco Fraticelli shares the most, 5.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles