Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful

Year: 2022

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Choi Kook-hee

RomanceDramaMusic

When Se‑yeon discovers she has a terminal illness, she tasks her reluctant husband Jin‑bong with the impossible mission of locating her long‑lost first love. As they travel together, the uneasy partnership becomes a tender road‑trip, prompting them to revisit glittering moments they have shared and cherish the hidden beauty of their everyday lives.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Life Is Beautiful yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Life Is Beautiful (2022)

Trace every key event in Life Is Beautiful (2022) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Guido arrives in Arezzo and falls for Dora

Guido Orefice arrives in Arezzo to work at a hotel restaurant with his uncle Eliseo, quickly revealing his comic, sharp personality. He notices Dora, a gentle teacher, and begins pursuing her with playful, almost magical stunts. His charm and audacity set the tone for their romance.

1939 Arezzo, Tuscany
2

Dora's engagement and Guido's pursuit

In Arezzo, Dora is already engaged to Rodolfo, a rich local official with whom Guido clashes. He continues his humorous schemes to win her heart, staging coincidences and bold gestures to break through her defenses. The pursuit intensifies as Dora's engagement creates a rival obstacle.

1939 Arezzo
3

The elopement and marriage

Guido steals Dora from her engagement party on Uncle Eliseo's horse, humiliating her fiancé and his mother. The couple marries and starts a life together, eventually having a son named Giosuè and running a bookstore. Their love provides a fragile refuge as the world darkens with war.

1939 Arezzo
4

Dora's mother meets her grandson

Dora's mother visits and meets her grandson, confirming the family ties they've built. The couple's prewar life continues in their small bookstore and everyday routines.

1939-1940 Arezzo
5

Nazi occupation and arrest

In 1944, Nazi Germany occupies Northern Italy, and Guido, Eliseo, and Giosuè are arrested on Giosuè's birthday. They are forced onto a train bound for a concentration camp, separating from Dora.

1944 Northern Italy
6

Dora joins the train

Dora chooses to board the train to stay with her husband and son, joining the group bound for the camp. Her presence complicates the dynamics as the family is torn apart and the harsh reality of internment looms.

1944 Train to concentration camp
7

Camp arrival and Eliseo's murder

Upon arrival, Eliseo is murdered in the camp's gas chambers while Guido and Giosuè are subjected to the brutal routine of internment. The family is forcibly separated, leaving Dora behind and forcing Guido to protect his son.

1944 Concentration camp
8

The game begins: points and a tank

Guido keeps the grim truth from Giosuè, turning the camp into a game where points determine a promised tank. He explains only as much as needed to keep his son calm and cooperative.

1944 Concentration camp
9

Deception at dinner with German officers

During a visit by German officers, Guido pretends to be feeding a German nanny's infant and coaches Giosuè to stay quiet, using the ruse to keep him safe from suspicion.

1944 Concentration camp
10

Near exposure and the Italian 'thank you' trick

Giosuè almost gives away the ruse when he says 'thank you' in Italian to a server; Guido covertly saves him by teaching all the German children how to say 'thank you' in Italian, confusing the guards.

1944 Concentration camp
11

Final tasks and staying hidden

As the camp's operations wind down, Guido tells Giosuè to stay hidden until everyone has left, completing the final 'task' before the promised tank.

1944 Concentration camp
12

Guido's death and the liberation

Guido is shot by a German officer, but he winks at Giosuè as he dies, keeping the game alive in his son's memory. The next morning, American troops arrive and liberate the camp, though Dora remains unaware of his fate at first.

1944-1945 Concentration camp
13

Reunion and the narrator's reveal

Giosuè emerges from hiding and reunites with Dora as the U.S. Army and a Sherman tank arrive. The boy proudly recounts his 'tank victory' while the narrator reveals that he is the adult Giosuè, reflecting on his father's sacrifices.

1945 Camp vicinity

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:25

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These films share a core narrative structure of a love-motivated journey, a deeply bittersweet tone stemming from impending loss, and a heavy emotional weight focused on themes of sacrifice, memory, and the celebration of life.

Unlock the Full Story of Life Is Beautiful

Don't stop at just watching — explore Life Is Beautiful in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Life Is Beautiful is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Life Is Beautiful Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Life Is Beautiful, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Life Is Beautiful Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Life Is Beautiful that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

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