The Taviani Brothers Collection

Paolo and Vittorio Taviani's moving take on the Gavino Ledda memoir "Padre Padrone" (1977) follows the Sardinian author's lifelong quest for self-education in defiance of his brutal shepherd father (Omero Antonutti). Fabrizio Forte and Saverio Marconi, playing Ledda as a boy and young man, co-star. In 1944, with the American forces approaching, the residents of a Tuscan village split on whether to meet them or face their fate with the occupying German forces. "The Night of the Shooting Stars" (1982) stars Antonutti, Margarita Lozano, Claudia Bigagli. The Tavianis delivered a delightful portmanteau of Pirandello stories with "Kaos" (1984), ranging from a new bride's dealing with her husband's lunar jealousy to serfs demanding a proper graveyard from their master. Lozano, Bigagli, Biagio Barone star. 9 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: Italian Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; bonus documentary; theatrical trailers. In Italian with English subtitles.