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Poster for Divorce Italian Style

Divorce Italian Style

He ordered marriage on the rocks with a twist... Italian Style!

1961 · 1h 44m · Not Rated Comedy, Crime
Directed by Pietro Germi

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Overview

Ferdinando Cefalù is desperate to marry his cousin, Angela, but he is married to Rosalia and divorce is illegal in Italy. To get around the law, he tries to trick his wife into having an affair so he can catch her and murder her, as he knows he would be given a light sentence for killing an adulterous woman. He persuades a painter to lure his wife into an affair, but Rosalia proves to be more faithful than he expected.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Years ahead of its time.

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Fresh

[A] deeply amoral morality tale.

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
Fresh

Skillfully written, with a penetrating, almost brutal glimpse of Sicily and its antiquated way of life, it has been directed by Pietro Germi with lagless pace and consistent incisiveness, evoking constant chuckles rather than isolated guffaws.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

This is one of the funniest pictures the Italians have sent along.

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fresh

It remains a terrific entertainment, a European corollary to Preston Sturges.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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