The Basilisks Poster

The Basilisks 1963

★ 7.654 votes85 min📅 1963-09-02

Directed by the sharp and inventive Lina Wertmüller, *The Basilisks (1963)* peels back the quiet desperation of three young men navigating life in a sun-baked, poverty-stricken village in southern Italy.

Director: Lina Wertmüller

Cast

Stefano Satta Flores
Stefano Satta Flores
Francesco
Antonio Petruzzi
Antonio
Rosanna Santoro
Anna
Sergio Ferranino
Sergio
Luigi Barbieri
Antonio's Father
Flora Carabella
Flora Carabella
Luciana Bonfanti
Mimma Quirico
Aunt Maria
Enzo Di Vecchia
Friend
Rosetta Palumbo
Rosetta
Manlio Blois
Nicolino

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *The Basilisks (1963)* about?

*The Basilisks* follows three young men in a hardscrabble southern Italian village, where the weight of poverty and tradition presses down on their aspirations. Their daily lives become a stage for quiet rebellion, as they grapple with the tension between personal freedom and the expectations of their community.

Who directed *The Basilisks*?

*The Basilisks* was directed by Lina Wertmüller, the acclaimed Italian filmmaker known for her sharp social commentary and bold storytelling style.

Who stars in *The Basilisks*?

The film features a talented cast led by Stefano Satta Flores, Antonio Petruzzi, and Rosanna Santoro, with strong support from Sergio Ferranino and Flora Carabella.

Is *The Basilisks (1963)* worth watching?

While unrated on IMDb, *The Basilisks* is a hidden gem for fans of character-driven drama-comedies with a biting edge. Wertmüller's direction and the authentic performances make it a compelling watch for those who appreciate slice-of-life stories with depth and humor.

How long is *The Basilisks*?

*The Basilisks* runs for 85 minutes, a tight runtime that keeps the story lean and engaging.

About The Basilisks (1963) — Lina Wertmüller's piercing look at small-town dreams and despair

Directed by the sharp and inventive Lina Wertmüller, *The Basilisks (1963)* peels back the quiet desperation of three young men navigating life in a sun-baked, poverty-stricken village in southern Italy. Their days unfold with a deceptive stillness, but beneath the surface, the film pulses with the tension of unspoken dreams and unfulfilled ambitions. Wertmüller crafts a biting satire of provincial life, using dry humor and stark realism to expose the absurdity and pathos of a community where progress feels perpetually out of reach.

Starring Stefano Satta Flores, Antonio Petruzzi, and Rosanna Santoro in pivotal roles, this drama-comedy hybrid thrives on the contrast between the characters' stifled ambitions and the inescapable rhythms of their surroundings. The film's black-and-white palette casts a melancholic glow over their struggles, turning mundane routines into moments of quiet revelation. *The Basilisks* is a poignant exploration of stagnation, resilience, and the fragile hope that flickers even in the bleakest of landscapes.