Film Forum

Il giudizio universale (1961, De Sica) “Maybe we’re dead now and only think we’re still alive.” When God announces the end of the world — at 6 PM sharp — the alibis and excuses begin, as enacted by a not-to-be-believed international cast — Anouk Aimée, Fernandel, Vittorio Gassman, Jack Palance, Alberto Sordi (in a repellently villainous role), Ernest Borgnine, Silvana Mangano, Lino Ventura, De Sica himself, and... Jimmy Durante? — in ten interlocking stories, before, during, and… after? Slaughtered critically and commercially on first release, but De Sica still considered this Zavattini-scripted comedy “one of my best films.” Approx.100  min. 35mm.