SummaryAn epic story of a young man (Roth) who is born on January 1, 1900, and thus his name Nineteen Hundred. He grows up always having lived on an ocean liner, becoming a talented pianist.
Directed By:Giuseppe Tornatore
Written By:Alessandro Baricco, Giuseppe Tornatore
The Legend of 1900
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
57% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
36% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
7% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
83
The Legend of 1900 is still fresh; like the dawning of a new age, it feels like an awakening.
75
The sort of movie that both rewards and tries your patience.
User score
Universal Acclaim
85% Positive
55 Ratings
55 Ratings
9% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
6% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Oct 23, 2024
10
A good movie about a talented person who can't live outside his comfort zone, which is why he lost a lot in life
Feb 8, 2019
10
A unique, strange, and beautiful film that feels more like a Tall Tale than anything else I have seen on the big screen in a long time. This is an immaculately shot and directed movie, and every piece of the ship is beautiful. The way the music is portrayed is stunning. The acting is incredible, and is really an ensemble cast at their finest rather than Tim Roth shouldering the weight for everyone, even though he does do a fantastic job. This is one of the most underrated films from the 1990s, and I really think that this will be regarded as a classic one day.
70
A painstakingly crafted nonrealist story, which doesn't seem to imply anything beyond what it depicts.
63
What could have been an insightful, irresistible movie is instead a simple, self-contained fable, pleasing to look at but meaningless
60
The material is at heart an intimate allegorical fairy tale about rarefied philosophical concerns.
42
An intriguing concept, a storybook vision life in the great age of trans-Atlantic travel, a fine Ennio Morricone score and a credible performance by Roth.
25
The schmaltz is relentless in The Legend of 1900, the newest film from "Cinema Paradiso'' director Giuseppe Tornatore. It comes in waves, it leeches onto every surface and it turns decent actors into sticky-sweet fuzzballs.
Feb 9, 2016
10
Legend of 1900 is a beautiful film, from the acting to the soundtrack to how the film is shot... you shouldn't miss this if you haven't seen it already. Roth gives yet another great performance that is not only chilling but effective no matter how distant from him you may feel.
Aug 21, 2021
8
With 'The Legend of 1900', director, Giuseppe Tornatore, crafts an entertaining fable which pays major respect and homage to the world of early, New Orleans Jazz. Being that it is a legend, as well as being told by the musician who worked with the titular 1900 (yes, that is the character's name and the reason why he was born with that name is kickass), we, as an audience, are free to interpret it however we may choose. Was it all true or was it all exaggerated? You decide. I really like films that can pull off open interpretation without sacrificing focus. I personally found it to be quite a lovely and musically respectful work of both joy and sadness despite its occasional ridiculous/hokey moments. I'd like to also give a shout out to all the exceptional actors and cinematography.
Apr 25, 2013
1
The Legend of 1900 is one of the cleverest comedies ever filmed. Director Giuseppe Tornatore manages to get the viewer to believe they are watching a serious movie about a boy who grows up (secretly) on an ocean liner. The boy becomes a man (still living on the ship but keeping a low profile). But he becomes not just any man; he emerges as a piano virtuoso the likes of which the ocean blue has never seen. One particularly chortle-worthy scene depicts Tim Roth's character (the titular 1900 (HA HA HA)) lighting a cigarette off of the "hot" piano strings after his jazz duel with Jelly Roll Morton. HA HA HA HA, HO HO HO... whew! Oh, that is priceless. The over-the-top script is delivered with hilarious high-school histrionics by a cast that includes the usually serious Pruitt Taylor Vince and Clarence (Linc) Williams III. Hold on a second. This just in. I've been advised that this is indeed NOT a comedy. Really? Well then, I must remind myself to never watch anything with "Legend(s) of" in the title (e.g. Legend of Bagger Vance, Legends of the Fall, Legend of Zorro, Legend of 1900). I thought those were all comedies.
Production Company:
- Sciarlò
- Medusa Film
Release Date:Oct 29, 1999
Duration:2 h 45 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:An epic story of a man who could do anything... except be ordinary.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
David di Donatello Awards
• 6 Wins & 9 Nominations
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists
• 6 Wins & 6 Nominations
