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Sacco and Vanzetti

Play trailer Poster for Sacco and Vanzetti PG 1971 2h 0m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Italian immigrant shoemaker Nicola Sacco (Riccardo Cucciolla) and fish peddler Bartolomeo Vanzetti (Gian Maria Volonte) live and work in the 1920s Boston, and are known to have anarchist beliefs. When they are accused of robbing and killing two men at a shoe factory, the men's political leanings are used as evidence in the trial against them. But defense attorney Fred Moore (Milo O'Shea) is convinced of their innocence, so he defends them in one of the most polarizing trials in U.S. history.
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Sacco and Vanzetti

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Crust Los Angeles Times Apr 9, 2007
4/5
... the 81-minute film contains a surprising amount of information about the two Italian-born immigrants who were tried, convicted and executed in Boston amid accusations of grave injustice. Go to Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times May 9, 2005
2/5
... an Italian film that elects to play on our best prejudices rather than make a reasonable or eloquent plea for truth. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
3.5/4
I was complaining a month ago that this has been a lousy year for movies, now all of a sudden there's a rush of good ones, and this is one of the best. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Jan 23, 2023
A large-scale narrative feature...Complete with a theme song by Joan Baez. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Dec 8, 2022
6/10
...there’s a lot to enjoy in this film, including the mix of factual content and melodrama, well-staged tableaux, and committed acting performances. Go to Full Review Peter Canavese Celluloid Dreams Jul 4, 2022
3/4
A well done and thoughtful version of a damning American story about immigrants railroaded, unjustly accused, arrested and tried. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Reviewer R @RT49074533 Sep 12, 2026 I don't believe the real Sacco and Vanzetti were quite as saintly as he portrays them. The director seems more than a little biased due to his own background... The trial may have been unfair, and it's possible the two men were innocent of this particular crime, but he omits a lot of the seedy aspects of the real life characters. He also omits the campaign of terrorism and violence that occured in response to the two mens' sentence. It's obliquely suggested in one scene where Vanzetti suggests to his wife that "non-legal" means may have to be taken, but the film quickly glosses over just what that actually means See more Lanfranco C @Lanfrancobz Jun 21, 2026 Politics kills Justice! See more Tony S @RT94004908 Nov 29, 2021 A well made but a self indulgent courtroom drama with an iconic soundtrack. With bitter showcase of one of the most egregious examples of injustice of the 20th century. Where law can be easily turned into an instrument of ruthless political whacking and grand standing. However, it is still a very one sided and a little bit overacted portrayal of everyone who isn't on the side of the pair of the anarchists. It's a very caricature characterization, that barely reflects their words or actions of these people in 1921. Some might even call it fist pumping leftist propaganda. That already finished all the thinking for you in this matter the moment you started watching it. See more Apr 1, 2017 This was the most emotional I got while listening to a movie. It may not be 100% accurate, but it was a joy to watch. I would recommend it to those who aren't afraid of going to the older films and want to feel emotional. See more Dec 4, 2016 Ennio Morricone (x Joan Baez)'s soundtrack was more impressive. See more Jan 8, 2016 Can't expect from most american critics to like this movie, since it attacks the very fundaments of the american belief in freedom and denounces its contradictions. See more Read all reviews
Sacco and Vanzetti

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Cast & Crew

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Giuliano Montaldo

Director

Gian Maria Volonté

Bartolomeo Vanzetti

Riccardo Cucciolla

Nicola Sacco

Cyril Cusack

Frederick Katzmann

Milo O'Shea

Fred Moore

Rosanna Fratello

Rosa Sacco

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Sacco and Vanzetti

Sacco and Vanzetti (1971) Sacco and Vanzetti (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Italian immigrant shoemaker Nicola Sacco (Riccardo Cucciolla) and fish peddler Bartolomeo Vanzetti (Gian Maria Volonte) live and work in the 1920s Boston, and are known to have anarchist beliefs. When they are accused of robbing and killing two men at a shoe factory, the men's political leanings are used as evidence in the trial against them. But defense attorney Fred Moore (Milo O'Shea) is convinced of their innocence, so he defends them in one of the most polarizing trials in U.S. history.
Director
Giuliano Montaldo
Rating
PG
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 12, 2021
Runtime
2h 0m
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