Screenplay data
Salvatore, a successful filmmaker, returns to his Sicilian hometown for the funeral of Alfredo, his childhood mentor and the projectionist at Cinema Paradiso, who had taught him the craft after Salvatore accidentally caused a fire that blinded him. As a young man, Salvatore fell in love with Elena, but her wealthy family disapproved, and Alfredo advised Salvatore to leave Giancaldo to pursue his dreams, promising he would never look back. Thirty years later, Salvatore discovers Alfredo had intercepted Elena's farewell note, preventing their reunion, and reconnects with his past. Before the Cinema Paradiso is demolished, Salvatore watches a film reel Alfredo left him, a compilation of censored kissing scenes, a final poignant gift from his mentor.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Cinema Paradiso follows Salvatore’s journey from a curious village boy to a man reconciling with his past through his bond with projectionist Alfredo and first love Elena.
Open full beat sheetSalvatore Di Vita is listed as Protagonist. A successful filmmaker who grew up in Giancaldo, Sicily. In the parsed data, Salvatore Di Vita is connected to 70 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
70 scenes / 31 dialogue linesAlfredo is listed as Mentor. The projectionist at Cinema Paradiso, a father figure to Salvatore. In the parsed data, Alfredo is connected to 30 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
30 scenes / 14 dialogue linesElena Mendola is listed as Romantic Interest. Salvatore's first love from his youth. In the parsed data, Elena Mendola is connected to 17 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 55.
17 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMaria Di Vita is listed as Mother. Salvatore's mother, a seamstress. In the parsed data, Maria Di Vita is connected to 16 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
16 scenes / 7 dialogue linesCiccio Spaccafico is listed as Supporting. The owner of the Cinema Paradiso. In the parsed data, Ciccio Spaccafico is connected to 14 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
14 scenes / 3 dialogue linesFather Adelfio is listed as Supporting. The local priest who censors the films. In the parsed data, Father Adelfio is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBoccia is listed as Supporting. Salvatore's childhood friend. In the parsed data, Boccia is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 51.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLia is listed as Sister. Salvatore's younger sister. In the parsed data, Lia is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTeresa is listed as Supporting. A local prostitute. In the parsed data, Teresa is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 51.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesClara is listed as Romantic Interest. Salvatore's girlfriend in Rome. In the parsed data, Clara is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMaria attempts to contact her son Salvatore in Rome via telephone, while her daughter Lia tries to discourage her.
Maria Di Vita, LiaSalvatore drives through Rome and has a brief, tense encounter with a young couple in another car.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore returns home to his girlfriend Clara, who informs him that his mother called to report Alfredo's death.
Salvatore Di Vita, ClaraYoung Salvatore serves as an altar boy and is scolded by the priest for being sleepy.
Salvatore Di Vita, Father AdelfioThe priest watches a film at the cinema while Salvatore sneaks in to watch, leading to the priest censoring the kissing scenes.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Father AdelfioThe town square at noon, showing the daily life of the village.
Salvatore visits Alfredo in the booth, leading to a deal regarding the film strips.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore looks at his collection of film strips and asks his mother about his father.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di Vita, LiaChildren arrive at school, including Salvatore and his classmates.
Salvatore Di VitaThe teacher punishes a student for failing a math problem while Salvatore tries to help.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore watches a film in the theater and observes the audience's reaction.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, BocciaSalvatore's mother finds him after the movie and Alfredo helps him avoid trouble.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Maria Di Vita, Ciccio SpaccaficoSalvatore gets a ride on Alfredo's bicycle and asks about his father.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Father AdelfioA fire occurs involving Salvatore's film collection, leading to his mother's anger.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Maria Di Vita, LiaAlfredo operates the projector while the town listens to soccer on the radio.
AlfredoSalvatore tries to get back into the projection booth.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore brings Alfredo his lunch to win him over.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoThe audience at Cinema Paradiso hears news of a lottery win and rushes out of the theater.
Summer activities in the village square including shearing and bill-posting.
Salvatore and others take exams; Alfredo arrives to take the exam and asks Salvatore for help.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, BocciaAlfredo teaches Salvatore the projectionist trade.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoStudents receive report cards and say goodbye; a student refuses to say goodbye to Peppino.
Salvatore Di VitaPeppino leaves the village; Salvatore and Alfredo watch from the booth.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore spots a photo of his father in a newsreel.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore and his mother receive confirmation of his father's death.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di VitaMaria and Salvatore walk through the city.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di VitaAlfredo and Salvatore project the film onto the square for the waiting crowd.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Father AdelfioThe film is projected onto the houses in the square.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoThe film catches fire in the projection booth.
AlfredoSalvatore sees the fire and rushes to the theater.
Salvatore Di VitaThe theater is engulfed in flames.
Salvatore fights through the crowd to reach the booth.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore rescues Alfredo from the burning booth.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoThe theater is destroyed by fire.
The aftermath of the fire.
Father Adelfio, Ciccio SpaccaficoThe rebuilt Cinema Paradiso is inaugurated.
The inauguration ceremony.
Father Adelfio, Ciccio SpaccaficoSalvatore is installed as the new projectionist.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di Vita, Father Adelfio, Ciccio SpaccaficoThe first film is shown in the new theater.
Maria Di Vita, Lia, Father Adelfio, Ciccio SpaccaficoAlfredo visits Salvatore in the booth.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore suggests a plan to Spaccafico to show films in two locations.
Salvatore Di Vita, Ciccio SpaccaficoThe theater is packed for the film.
AlfredoSalvatore prepares the film for the second location.
Salvatore Di Vita, BocciaBoccia cycles through the village and countryside to deliver film reels.
BocciaBoccia and Ciccio Spaccafico exchange film reels.
Ciccio Spaccafico, BocciaThe audience watches the second part of the film.
Boccia continues his exhausting cycle of film deliveries as day turns to dusk.
BocciaThe audience at Cinema Paradiso grows impatient waiting for the film.
Salvatore worries about the missing Boccia while a Carabiniere checks in.
Salvatore Di VitaThe audience at the old movie house demands their money back.
Ciccio SpaccaficoSalvatore finds Boccia with Teresa in the countryside.
Salvatore Di Vita, Boccia, TeresaMontage of various films and events at the cinema, including Don Vincenzo's death.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Ciccio SpaccaficoSalvatore loses his virginity to Teresa in the empty theatre.
Salvatore Di Vita, TeresaSalvatore films various scenes around town and spots Elena at the station.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore meets Elena after she drops her lunch.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena Mendola, BocciaSalvatore shows Alfredo his home movies and talks about Elena.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore tries to talk to Elena but fails to say anything meaningful.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore projects images of Elena on his wall.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore calls Elena but is intercepted by her mother.
Salvatore Di VitaAlfredo tells Salvatore the story of the soldier and the princess.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore tricks his way into the confessional to talk to Elena.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Elena Mendola, Father AdelfioSalvatore waits beneath Elena's window night after night.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore's family waits for him on New Year's Eve.
Alfredo, Maria Di Vita, LiaSalvatore waits on New Year's Eve, but Elena closes the shutters.
Salvatore Di VitaThe family toasts the New Year without Salvatore.
Alfredo, Maria Di VitaSalvatore leaves, feeling rejected.
Salvatore Di VitaElena finds Salvatore in the booth and they finally embrace.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaMontage of happy moments between Salvatore and Elena.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore and Elena drive in an old car.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore and Alfredo watch a television broadcast in the cinema; Salvatore tries to explain the technology to Alfredo.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Elena Mendola, Ciccio SpaccaficoSalvatore and Elena meet secretly in the toilets to discuss their relationship and future.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena Mendola, Maria Di VitaSalvatore reads a letter from Elena while working at the outdoor cinema.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaElena surprises Salvatore at the outdoor cinema during a rainstorm.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore and Elena meet; Salvatore reveals he must leave for military service in Rome.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore attends Alfredo's funeral and encounters old acquaintances in his hometown.
Salvatore Di Vita, Alfredo, Ciccio Spaccafico, TeresaSalvatore waits for Elena at the cinema but meets Alfredo instead.
Salvatore Di Vita, AlfredoSalvatore has dinner with his family and feels conflicted about his past.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di Vita, LiaSalvatore explores the abandoned cinema.
Salvatore Di VitaSalvatore sees a girl who looks exactly like Elena.
Salvatore Di Vita, Elena MendolaSalvatore and his mother have a deep, honest conversation.
Salvatore Di Vita, Maria Di VitaNo, never! One time your mother said that if he wanted, you'd have surely come. He got furious and said 'No, Toto mustn't come back to Giancaldo, never!!' He didn't say it to be mean. He was a decent man. Who knows what he could have been thinking? Towards the end he'd say such strange things. And a moment before he shut his eyes, he told your mother not to let you know.
Salvatore, forgive me. I'll explain later what happened. Not finding you here was terrible. Unfortunately, this evening, my mother and I are leaving for Tuscany. We're moving there. But you' re the only one I love, I'll never be with anybody else, I promise. Here's the address of a girlfriend of mine where you can write to me. Don't abandon me. Love and kisses, Elena.
Look, Toto! Before I kick your ass all the way to China and back, let's make a deal. These strips here are yours, I give them to you. However! One you're not to stick your nose in here any more. Two I'll keep them for you, because you can't take them home for God forbid and save our souls, if they catch fire, all hell will break loose! OK? Oh!!! And now scram!
Salvatore, my darling, here the days never end. I find your name everywhere if I read a book, do a crossword puzzle, thumb through a newspaper...You're always before my eyes. Today I've got some rather bad news. At the end of October we're moving to the city where I'll attend the University.
Look, Ma...It's useless calling him. He'll be terribly busy, God knows where he is. Besides he might not even remember. Do as I say, forget it...He hasn't been here for thirty years. You know how he is.
For the moment it's impossible to see each other...As soon as school is out, we're going to go stay with friends in Tuscany. We'll be there all summer...Maybe if you came up, we could meet in secret...
The army says that, as a war orphan, I don't have to serve in the military, but nothing can be done. It's a bureaucratic error. I have to leave. Day after tomorrow morning. They're sending me to Rome.
But how can I make you understand? Without the bell I just can't go on! Always half asleep, you are! What do you do at night anyway? Eat instead of sleep?
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