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“This is a simple story, but not an easy one to tell. Like a fable, there is sorrow, and, like a fable, it is full of wonder and happiness.”
1
Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997)2 remains a masterpiece of cinema, seamlessly blending humor and heartbreak to explore humanity’s capacity for love and hatred. As the director and male lead, Roberto Benigni3 plays a charming and witty Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido.
Taking place in Arezzo, Italy, Guido meets a school teacher named Dora, played by Nicoletta Braschi4 and from then on is determined to win her over with a dazzling and heartwarming courtship. They fall for one another and have a child, named Joshua, played by Giorgio Cantarini5. As a family, they then endure the tribulations of the holocaust.
Guido’s Humor In Life Is Beautiful (1997) — A Powerful Shield Against Hatred
The opening scene speaks volumes of Benigni’s directing style. Entering into town, Feruccio, Guido’s friend, played by Sergio Bini,6 loses control of the car as the brakes stop working. Veering off the road wildly they make a shortcut right into a parading fascist escort. Leading the escort, Guido sees an assembly of fascist supporters blocking the street.
Knowing they can’t stop, Guido tries signaling for the spectators to move out of the way, accidentally performing the fascist salute (Arm to shoulder, then raised straight into the air). The spectators rejoice and reply with a salute back, creating a comical yet informing anecdote of the state of the world in 1939.
After falling in love with Dora, the film progresses into the future where Guido is no longer a waiter, but a bookstore owner. The use of humor evolves as a defensive shield throughout the film to protect his son Joshua.
As they bike into town as a family, Guido drops Dora off at school and he and Joshua go to the bookstore. While this goes unsaid, it’s important to recognize that even though his mother was a teacher, Joshua was not allowed to attend school with non-Jews and was forced to go to work with his father.
On their walk to the bookstore, Joshua spells out, and reads a sign on a storefront that says, ‘no jews or dogs allowed.’ Guido disguises this prejudice by lying to his son, saying a hardware store doesn’t allow Spaniards or horses, and a drugstore wouldn’t let his Chinese friend and a kangaroo in.
Joshua replies:
“We let everyone into our store.”
Guido retorts back saying that they’re going to put up a sign as well.
He asks his son:
“Is there anything you don’t like?”
“Spiders, what about you?”
“I don’t like Visigoths, starting tomorrow we’ll write, no spiders and visigoths allowed.”
7
Guido knows there is no benefit in telling his son why such prejudices exist, so he playfully shrouds the truth. This protection of innocence continues during his son’s 6th birthday when Joshua and Guido are taken from their home and sent to a concentration camp. Joshua cannot understand where they are being taken, and neither does Guido. Guido stumbles with a reply and simply tells his son that ‘we are going on a trip.’
They arrive at the train station and begin loading into the carts. Guido, still with a boyish charm, tells his son about the train.
“You’ve never been on a train before, huh?”
“No, is it nice?”
“It’s really nice. It’s all wooden inside. Everybody stands up. There’s not one seat.”
“There aren’t any seats?”
“What? Seats on a train? It’s obvious you’ve never seen one!”
As the viewer, the strain of the film’s circumstances begins weighing. Arriving at the camp, Joshua asks his father:
“What kind of game is this?”
Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax.
“That’s it!” Joshua’s innocence provided the perfect cover, “It’s a game where-it’s the game-we’re all players. It’s all organized. The game is…the men are over here, the women are over there. Then there are soldiers. They give us our schedule. It’s hard, you know. It’s not easy. If somebody makes a mistake, they get sent straight home.”
A Selfless Masquerade
Guido, who prioritizes his son’s peace of mind over all things, demonstrates incomprehensible integrity. Guido tells Joshua that there is a prize, and his son replies asking what it is. With a chime-in from Uncle Elisio before he is taken by soldiers in line, he says, “It’s a tank.” Joshua’s favorite toy.
Guido’s resilience falters for a moment when he and Joshua first enter their ‘housing.’ Seeing the great number of men staying in such a small room, dirtied and in striped uniforms, Guido and his son have a look of horror. This look of trepidation remains on Guido’s face as he looks around until his gaze follows down to his son, and he reinvigorates his playful armor.
From that moment, until his last, Guido maintained character and sheltered his son from the tragic reality. Any moment Joshua questioned, or wanted to give up, Guido fabricated safety with whimsical ease. Even though he was starving and overworked, he never let his smile fade, even in his last moments.
As the war was coming to an end, the camp was being evacuated. Guido knows that time is of the essence and hides Joshua, so he can look for Dora. In his search, Guido is caught by a German soldier and escorted to a killing zone. Knowing this son can see him being escorted from the hiding spot, Guido performs his signature walk, with a smile and a wink as he marches to his death.
We see the awe-inspiring strength of a father, who loves his child. Guido knows that death has drawn near, yet he moves with grace and looks death in the eyes with a smile, knowing his son is watching.
Fascism Then & Now — Lessons From Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997)
The film highlights the absurdity of fascism through the playfulness of Guido’s character. How is it that a man like him can be worthy of such hatred? In order to answer this question, It’s important to distinguish the role that the political ideologies of the time played. Fascism8 was born in Italy, following World War 1.
This nationalist, anti-democratic rhetoric surged throughout Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. These political ideologies of fascism grew slight mutations amongst states. Italy’s fascism was reminiscent of the Holy Roman Empire, whereas Germany evolved into Nazism, prioritizing race.
These differences played a significant role in the relationship between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, but as alliances began to form, nations were forced to align with their homogeneous counterparts.
This is why the scene, where Guido disguises as the academic inspector from Rome, takes place. As the ‘inspector,’ he is supposed to discuss the race manifesto. Italy and Germany merged as allies close to World War 2 and adopted similar policies, like their views on race superiority. Guido hilariously demonstrates how absurd this supposed ‘superiority’ is.
He shows the children his superior earlobe. He shows the children his superior belly button. He shows the children his superior biceps and triceps. All the children laugh and smile. He does all of this as a Jewish man, with the Italian fascist slogan in the background, “Libro e Moschetto, fascista perfetto,” meaning book and musket, perfect fascist.
This scene is not only comical but powerful. It demonstrates how easily the youth can be manipulated. From when Guido enters and the children rise, with the discipline of a military unit, to when he exits out of the window, flashing his belly button and the children erupt in laughter. He simplifies humanity with witty comedy, which is a timeless skill.
Echoes Of The Past
The rise of authoritarianism in the first half of the 20th century, intertwined with societal unrest and economic turmoil, mirrors certain patterns in today’s political landscape. A study conducted by UC Berkeley9 describes a particular scenario: A time when war ravages nations, and a deadly illness spreads across the globe; a period marked by financial collapse and soaring inflation.
Amidst the chaos, a leader emerges. A figure who challenges the status quo and promises a new path forward. Critics view him as a dangerous demagogue; supporters hail him as a beacon of hope.
Now, consider the answer:
- Italy in 1923
- Germany in 1933
- U.S. in 2024
If this feels like an exaggeration, that’s because it is. Yet, when one sets aside emotions and examines the patterns, the parallels become clear. Authoritarianism often arrives like a trusted companion, offering clarity in confusion. But history shows that when it departs, it leaves only ruin in its wake.
The Emotional Duality Of Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997)
Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997) contrasts love and hatred with a palpable energy, which resonates with the viewer. A scene that comes to mind is when Dora goes to the train station to recover her husband and son.
She says to the commanding officer,
“There’s been a mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“My husband and son are on the train.”
What’s your husband’s name?”
“Guido Orefice.”
He opens the list and searches alphabetically for him. Upon seeing Guido, Joshua, and Eliseo’s name on the list, he tells Dora coldly that there has been no mistake. This is when you realize the boundless strength of love. Dora replies,
“I want to get on that train too.”
The commanding officer gives her a look of condescending pity. A soldier enters and tells the officer that the train is ready. The officer replies for the train to depart. Looking at Dora he says:
“Go back home, ma’am,”
conveying that you do not want to be on that train.
This time with more assurance,
“I want to get on that train.”
He looks at her seriously, saying nothing, making sure she knows the gravity of her decision.
“I want to get on that train!”
Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax.
What she’s truly saying to the officer is that she would rather die with the people she loves, than live like the coward you think I am. The commanding officer stops the train, maintaining his coldness, yet internally shocked, as he watches a beautiful woman walk to her death.
Love is much more difficult than hate. It’s easy to hate. It’s easy to watch hatred pass before you. What is truly challenging is to love in the presence of hatred. Furthermore, it takes significant character to treat someone as you wish to be treated, even though you are hated. The final scene of Giustino Durano’s10 character Uncle Eliseo, as he is undressing for a shower, a German soldier falls and he braces her, asking if she is okay. She looks at him with utter and complete disgust.
This moment alone highlights the insanity of the fascists’ hatred. A man, stripped of everything he has, still shows compassion for his captor. He is met with disdain, and unbuttons as he prepares for his ‘shower.’
Why Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997) Still Matters
To be kind to one another, seems so simple, as Uncle Elesio was kind to the German soldier. How far would society have to have strayed for the German soldier to look back at him in such a way?
As an example, the United States today is a nation of extreme polarization. Between democrats and republicans, there is little love or admiration. If anything, the feeling expressed from one party to another is closer to hatred. The spectrum of contemporary politics has forced people far to the right or left. It’s almost as if we have forgotten the past.
We have forgotten what’s possible when we choose callous disdain over patient understanding. However, the film doesn’t forget. Uncle Elesio doesn’t forget. Guido doesn’t forget. They maintain their love for humanity.
Today, one cannot forget. We are all human. To be kind to one another, despite societal challenges, is the basis for understanding.
A Legacy Of Love, Resilience, & Humanity
“This is my story. This is the sacrifice my father made. This was his gift to me.”
Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax.
Guido gifted his son the chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A simple parallel, that should resonate with all viewers.
Whatever corner of the world you come from, this film offers a reflection for all. Despite its release 27 years ago, it translates an understanding of tragedy through love, strength, and comedy. Through Benigni’s masterpiece, everything is brought into perspective. It makes you ask the question, how could we treat members of humanity in such a way?
Perhaps through Guido’s character, we can all be more appreciative. Perhaps a little more courageous. Maybe we could be grateful for all that we have, especially our loved ones. We can listen to our neighbor, and grow as a collective people. Learn to love, instead of hate.
“This is a simple story, but not an easy one to tell. Like a fable, there is sorrow, and, like a fable, it is full of wonder and happiness.” Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful (1997) remains a masterpiece of cinema, seamlessly blending humor and heartbreak to explore humanity’s capacity for both love and hatred.
Footnotes
- Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax. ↩︎
- Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax. ↩︎
- “Roberto Benigni.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Feb. 2025.
↩︎ - IMDb. “Nicoletta Braschi | Actress, Producer.” IMDb, IMDb.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
↩︎ - “Giorgio Cantarini.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 Oct. 2024.
↩︎ - IMDb. “Sergio Bini Bustric | Actor.” IMDb, IMDb.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
↩︎ - Benigni, R. (Director). (1997). Life is beautiful [Film]. Miramax. ↩︎
- “Fascism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 13 Feb. 2025. ↩︎
- Lempinen, Edward. “Fascism Shattered Europe a Century Ago – and Historians Hear Echoes Today in the U.S.” Berkeley News, 9 Sept. 2024. ↩︎
- “Giustino Durano.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22 Jan. 2025.
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