Nothing Left to Do But Cry

Nothing Left to Do But Cry

Year: 1984

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: Italian

FantasyComedy

Two 20th-century friends accidentally stumble into the year 1492, where they meet a charming teen and try to alter history.

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Timeline & Setting – Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1492

The story unfolds in the year 1492, during the Italian Renaissance. It situates its characters amid the era’s religious fervor, political intrigue, and feuds that shaped local communities. References to Savonarola and the looming age of exploration anchor the narrative in a Europe-wide moment of upheaval and discovery?

Location

Tuscan countryside, Imaginary Tuscan village

Set in the Tuscan countryside and in an imaginary Renaissance village of 1492, the film places its action amid sunlit fields, a bustling butcher shop, and a town square steeped in religious ritual. The setting juxtaposes pastoral life with violent feuds and political tension characteristic of late 15th-century Italy. This village acts as a microcosm of Renaissance society, where everyday life collides with power struggles and superstition.

🏛️ Renaissance Italy 🌾 Rural Tuscany

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:05

Main Characters – Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984)

Meet the key characters of Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mario (Massimo Troisi)

A reluctant, loyal friend who prefers simple life and practical jokes to grand schemes. He grows from a carefree janitor into someone who confronts danger with humor and grit, especially after the Renaissance village ordeal encroaches on his comfort zone.

🎭 🛠️ 💪

Saverio (Roberto Benigni)

A teacher and perceptive, politically minded friend who worries about his sister and toys with grand schemes to avert fate. His intellectual ardor drives him to propose bold, even impossible, plans, revealing his restless spirit.

🎭 🧠 🗺️

Pia (Amanda Sandrelli)

A rich girl's love interest who becomes a focal point for Mario's curiosity. She represents social access and romance within the restrictions of Renaissance-era society, offering a glimmer of personal happiness amid danger.

❤️ 💎 💃

Vitellozzo (Carlo Monni)

Head of a family involved in the feud; host to Mario and Saverio and a figure tied to the violent power dynamics of the village. His actions reflect the harsh realities of revenge and loyalty in a lawless frontier.

🏛️ ⚖️ 🗡️

Parisina (Livia Venturini)

A mother figure in the village who interacts with the newcomers and becomes entangled in the local social web. Her presence signals maternal ties and the domestic side of a community under threat.

👩‍👧 🏡 🕊️

Astriaha (Iris Peynado)

A striking Amazon-like figure who interrupts the travelers with an arrow, introducing an element of danger and myth. She embodies a wild, otherworldly force in the Renaissance tapestry.

🗡️ 🦅 👑

Predicatore itinerante (Peter Boom)

An itinerant preacher figure who appears in the travelers' journey, representing the era's religious fervor and the volatile authority of prophetic voices.

🗨️ 📜

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:05

Major Themes – Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984)

Explore the central themes of Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Reality vs Illusion

Two friends stumble into a fantasy-like Renaissance village, forcing them to confront whether what they imagine is real. The juxtaposition of a playful domestic life with brutal violence invites reflection on the thin line between dreams and danger. The film uses this tension to explore resilience and adaptation in an unforgiving world.

💔 Love and Class

Mario's attraction to Pia — a member of a rich family — highlights social class divides in Renaissance Italy. Saverio's grievances and plans reveal how personal relationships intersect with economic and political power. The romance offers a fragile escape from the harsh realities around them.

⚔️ Violence and Feud

The murder, the village feud, and the presence of armed men in cloaks underscore a world where violence is normalized. Characters navigate loyalty, revenge, and survival as the feud escalates. The film uses medieval brutality to probe human instinct under pressure.

🕯️ Religion and Authority

Religious figures and ceremonies frame the narrative, with Savonarola’s era casting a long shadow. The characters reach out to institutional power for help, exposing the limitations of religious authority in crisis. Faith and governance intersect in a society teetering between piety and brutality.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:05

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Nothing Left to Do But Cry Summary

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Nothing Left to Do But Cry Summary

Nothing Left to Do But Cry Timeline

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Nothing Left to Do But Cry Timeline

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Nothing Left to Do But Cry Spoiler-Free Summary

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