Photo of Bernardo Bertolucci Bernardo Bertolucci

Born March 16, 1940, in Parma, Italy, Italian maestro Bernardo Bertolucci is renowned for infusing his often languidly paced films with a stunning visual style. The director attended Rome University and first found fame as a poet (his father was a well-known verser). He later served as assistant director for another master of cinema, Pier Paolo Pasolini.

In 1962, Bertolucci made his directorial debut with the feature La Commare Secca (The Grim Reaper). Bertolucci's stunning 1972 portrayal of infidelity and murder, Last Tango in Paris (starring Marlon Brando in peak form), thrust him into the front rank of directors.

He followed that up with 1900 (1976) and, 11 years later, finally won two Oscars for Best Direction and Best Adapted Screenplay for The Last Emperor. Other key films include The Sheltering Sky (1990), Stealing Beauty (1996), Besieged (1998) and The Dreamers (2003).

Bernardo Bertolucci in Last Tango in Paris

Last Tango in Paris

1972 NC-17

An American expatriate living in Paris is still reeling from his estranged wife's suicide. While searching for an apartment, he encounters an equally despondent Frenchwoman, and the couple embarks on an anonymous, no-strings-attached sexual liaison.

  • Bernardo Bertolucci in The Last Emperor The Last Emperor
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in Stealing Beauty Stealing Beauty
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in Salò Salò
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in The Sheltering Sky The Sheltering Sky
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in The Conformist The Conformist
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in 1900 1900
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in Little Buddha Little Buddha
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in Great Directors Great Directors
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in La Commare Secca La Commare Secca
  • Bernardo Bertolucci in Partner Partner