The Decameron
The Decameron Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Movie Overview: The Decameron
| Movie | The Decameron |
| Release Year | 1971 |
| Director | Pier Paolo Pasolini |
| Genre | History / Drama / Comedy |
| Runtime | 111 minutes |
| Language | IT |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Decameron (1971) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this History.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Decameron are led by Franco Citti . The supporting cast, including Ninetto Davoli and Jovan Jovanović , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Decameron stands out as a strong entry in the History genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured History narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Decameron has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the History fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Decameron
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1971, The Decameron is a History, Drama, Comedy film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Franco Citti.
Ending Explained: The Decameron
The Decameron Ending Explained: Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, The Decameron wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core history themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Franco Citti. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the history themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Decameron reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
The Decameron Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Decameron Based on a True Story?
The Decameron is inspired by documented historical events. As a history, drama, comedy film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Decameron uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. Viewers interested in the real history may want to explore historical sources alongside the film.
Who Should Watch The Decameron?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy History films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Franco Citti or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Decameron
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Where to Watch The Decameron Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsThe Decameron Parents Guide & Age Rating
1971 AdvisoryWondering about The Decameron age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Decameron is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Decameron is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1971 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Decameron worth watching?
The Decameron is definitely worth watching if you enjoy History movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Decameron parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Decameron identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Decameron?
The total duration of The Decameron is 111 minutes, which is approximately 1h 51m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Decameron
If you were ever to be in any doubt as to Pier Paolo Pasolini's scepticism of all things religious, then you won't be after this entertainingly surreal interpretation of Giovanni Boccaccio almost heretical 14th century novels. There are nine episodes here that deal with just about everything you would find in a dictionary of sin - fraud, lust, theft, more lust, murder, covetousness and yep - even more lust. A couple of the segments stood out for me. There's a deaf mute who manages to convince a convent of nuns that he an unique solution to many of their problems - and boy, are they keen. Then there are some rather ruthless grave robbers who don't care who's tomb they plunder. A priest who uses his ingenuity to have his wicked way with a parishioner's wife - whilst her husband holds the lantern and maybe my favourite that sees a girl's parents craftily arrange a marriage for their daughter after she's spent an erotic night on the terrace with her beau! It oozes satire pretty much throughout illustrating quite openly the hypocrisy of the church and of it's "employees: and very much exposing the do as I say not as I do mentality that prevailed not just in Italy, but pretty much throughout Europe at the time. It's not just the religious who get a pasting here, the aristocracy don't come off a great deal better as they try to use their money to buy some redemption down the line - much to the joy of the painters who have no such compunction. It has something of the medieval farce to it, and that can be hit or miss, but for the most part the underlying commentary from the director is well enough disguised in frippery and humanity to not look like a reverse indoctrination. We can readily laugh at multiple aspects of the plot simultaneously. Nudity abounds here with just as much camera adoration of the male body as the female, but usually that just adds to the humour of the stories rather than overtly sexualising them. It's maybe a little long, but it's quirky and the episodic nature of the presentation ensures there's certainly no time to get bored.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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