Italian films are noted for their continual contrasts in content and style. Robin Buss here explores how these apparent contradictions in fact illuminate Italian life and society. Tracing the achievements of the great Italian directors, he demonstrates the tensions that have often existed between the demands of the international film market and the desire of film-makers to give an authentic picture of Italian life. Divided into two sections, the first part examines the portrayal of many themes central to Italian life - the dominance of the family, the Roman Catholic Church, city versus country, fascism - and shows how, over the years, writers and directors have approached them. The second part then provides a reference guide to over 200 films with cast credits, plot synopses and quotations from contemporary reviews.