Martin Scorsese’s Favorite: Discover the Extraordinary Film Released 64 Years Ago!

Released on February 28, 1962, in Italy, “Salvatore Giuliano” marked Francesco Rosi’s dramatic entry into the realm of great Italian filmmakers. From the outset, the film impresses with its almost documentary-like precision and its detailed observation of the events. For Martin Scorsese, this film holds a special place in his personal pantheon of global cinema.

If there is one director who embodies film loving in its most complete form, it is certainly Martin Scorsese. His encyclopedic knowledge of film history and its creators is unmatched. In 1990, he established the Film Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of global cinematic heritage. Among its initiatives is the World Cinema Project, aimed at restoring films of significant cultural and historical importance. Since its inception, more than 1000 films have been restored, including 65 from 31 different countries through this project.

The Tale of a Sicilian Bandit

Rosi’s narrative begins in July 1950. The body of Salvatore Giuliano, a notorious Sicilian bandit, is found in the courtyard of a house in Castelvetrano. A quick assessment is made by a commissioner while journalists gather information. Later, Giuliano’s body is displayed in Montelepre, his hometown, where the crowd pays their respects and his mother grieves. But who killed him? And what does Giuliano’s story reveal about Italy at that time?

A Film Cherished by Scorsese

In 2014, as a guest of the Criterion Collection, Scorsese revealed his ten favorite films. Italian cinema holds a prominent place among them. Regarding “Salvatore Giuliano,” he stated:

“This is an extremely complex film: there is no central protagonist, and it features multiple time jumps and perspectives. Yet, it is also a film from within, made with a deep love and understanding of Sicily, its people, and the betrayals and corruptions they must endure. […] While the film is a rigorous investigation, it never feels dry, […] and it is shot in an absolutely electrifying black and white. […] Salvatore Giuliano is, among other things, a grand homage to Sicily, the land of my ancestors, and for this reason alone, I cherish this film.“

Realism and Journalistic Precision

Francesco Rosi, a meticulous observer and consistent filmmaker, stands alongside great Italian masters like Federico Fellini. After “Profession Magliari” (1959), filmed among Italian communities in Germany, Rosi created his first true masterpiece with “Salvatore Giuliano.”

Shot in Sicily shortly after the events it depicts, the film meticulously explores the Italian political system. Through multiple viewpoints, it reveals complex collusions between the army, the police, the mafia, and the judiciary. Unlike other politically charged films, Rosi delivers no moral or ideological message: he simply provides material for reflection.

Rosi explained, “I was interested in the context of Salvatore Giuliano, not his psychology. This is a film about the tragedy of a people and a land, Sicily, which found itself subordinate to the power of the mafia. That is where the real problem lies. The mafia was so powerful that it managed to strike agreements with the institutions. This explains why the story of Salvatore Giuliano is filled with paradoxes and wild facts.“

Rosi also refuted any notion that his film was akin to a documentary.

“I believe the film was told in a way that preserves the realism of the rebellions and the relationships between the residents of Montelepre and Salvatore Giuliano. I think this relationship was so truthful that it could resemble a documentary.“

Unforgettable Scenes

To enhance this authenticity, he enlisted the residents of Montelepre and Castelvetrano to reenact scenes they had lived through a few years earlier.

This approach resulted in moments of rare emotional power: the massacre of the peasants in the valley, the women in tears around Giuliano’s corpse, and the assassination of Gaspare Pisciotta, his lieutenant, portrayed by Frank Wolff, known to fans of Westerns.

To (re)discover this masterpiece, the film is available on VOD. Collectors can also turn to the Blu-ray and DVD editions of the feature, including a combo edition with exciting bonus content.

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