1900

The story takes place in Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy known for its rich agricultural landscape and historical estates. The rural estate serves as a microcosm of the socio-economic divides in Italian society, highlighting the stark contrasts between wealthy landowners and impoverished peasants.

The film spans from 1901 through 1945, covering the early 20th century up to the end of World War II. This period captures significant change in Italy, including the rise of class struggles, the impact of fascism, and the shifting dynamics of social relationships during wartime.

The class struggle theme illustrates the conflict between oppressive landowners and laborers fighting for their rights. It reflects historical tensions in Italy, particularly as socialist ideals clash with fascist authoritarianism, showing how the divide between aristocracy and peasantry shapes the characters' destinies.

Alfredo Berlinghieri is a conflicted aristocrat raised in privilege who is deeply affected by the injustices he witnesses among the laborers. His internal struggles with identity and responsibility lead him on a desperate quest for redemption, as he confronts the moral price of his class background throughout the changing political landscape.

Olmo Dalcò is the illegitimate son of a peasant who carries strong socialist ideals and becomes a champion for workers' rights. His character stands in stark contrast to Alfredo's reluctant nature as a landowner, representing the fight for social justice and the rising political consciousness among the peasant class.

Attila Mellanchini embodies the brutality of fascist ideology as a sadistic foreman. His oppressive tactics create a climate of fear among the laborers, and his character is pivotal in escalating the conflict and tension between the landowner class and the working population.

The friendship between Alfredo and Olmo is tested by societal pressures, personal losses, and broader political contexts. As childhood friends from opposite ends of the social spectrum, their bond is shaped by the changing political landscape, ultimately defining their destinies as their values diverge.

The passage of time theme showcases how characters evolve with the changing socio-political landscape over decades. It emphasizes the enduring impact of past decisions on present realities, culminating in a reflection on mortality and legacy as the characters confront the long-term consequences of their choices.

The film depicts the rise of fascism through the character of Attila and the political violence that engulfs the estate. It shows how fascist authoritarianism Clash with socialist movements, creating a backdrop of terror that affects relationships between landowners, workers, and the broader community.

The title 1900 refers to the turn of the 20th century when the story begins, symbolizing a new era in Italian history. The film uses this starting point to examine how the promises of modernity and change unfold over the following decades, ultimately questioning whether true social progress is possible.