Pagliacci 1948 Directed by Mario Costa

Based on Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci. The film recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. The only actor in the cast who also sang his role was the celebrated Italian baritone, Tito Gobbi, but the film is largely very faithful to its source material, presenting the opera nearly complete.

Country Italy
Production Country Italy
Language Italian
Spoken Language Italian
Gneres Drama , Music
Production Company Itala Film
Release Date 2 December 1948
67 mins
Cast
Tito Gobbi Tonio/Silvio
Onelia Fineschi Nedda (singing voice)
Afro Poli Canio, master of the troupe
Galliano Masini Canio (singing voice)
Filippo Morucci Beppe, troupe harlequin
Gino Sinimberghi Beppe (singing voice)