Pagliacci (1987): cast, story & where to watch
1987 · Film · ★ 2.5
Released in 1987, Pagliacci is a drama and music film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, running about 72 minutes.
What it’s about. The story is set in southern Italy and recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. Although Leoncavallo's opera was originally set in the late 1860's, Zeffirelli's production is updated to the period between World War I and World War II.
Who’s in it. Pagliacci stars Teresa Stratas as Nedda, Plácido Domingo as Canio, Juan Pons as Tonio and Florindo Andreolli as Peppe, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 2.5/10, Pagliacci has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Pagliacci page.
If you liked it. Fans of Pagliacci tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Pagliacci (1987)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Pagliacci change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Pagliacci worth watching?
- Pagliacci holds an audience score of 2.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Pagliacci?
- Pagliacci stars Teresa Stratas, Plácido Domingo, Juan Pons, Florindo Andreolli and Alberto Rinaldi.
- When was Pagliacci released?
- Pagliacci was released in 1987, with a runtime of about 72 minutes.