The Legend of 1900

Name: The Legend of 1900
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Music
Released: October 29, 1999
Duration: 165 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Tim Roth

1999

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Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 98 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Fine Line Features | Release Date: October 29, 1999 | R

Starring: Tim Roth

Summary: An epic story of a young man (Roth) who is born on January 1, 1900, and thus his name Nineteen Hundred. He grows up always having lived on an ocean liner, becoming a talented pianist.

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 165 min

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Critic Reviews

Diana Abu-Jaber

The Legend of 1900 is still fresh; like the dawning of a new age, it feels like an awakening.

Dallas Observer Jean Oppenheimer

On one level it is highly intimate, yet it is also universal, a modern metaphor for the human condition and the precariousness of life itself. Read full review

Desmond Ryan

There is one scene in The Legend of 1900 that is easily worth the price of admission. It finds the ship heeling in an Atlantic storm. In the ballroom Roth plays the piano as it moves and slides in an eerie waltz around the floor.

Roger Ebert

Has moments of great imagination. Read full review

David Rooney

The material is at heart an intimate allegorical fairy tale about rarefied philosophical concerns. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

It's a wonderful reminder of the importance of music in the movies.

Edward Guthmann

The schmaltz is relentless in The Legend of 1900, the newest film from "Cinema Paradiso'' director Giuseppe Tornatore. It comes in waves, it leeches onto every surface and it turns decent actors into sticky-sweet fuzzballs. Read full review

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User Reviews

The3AcademySins

Feb 8, 2019

A unique, strange, and beautiful film that feels more like a Tall Tale than anything else I have seen on the big screen in a long time. This is an immaculately shot and directed movie, and every piece of the ship is beautiful. The way the music is portrayed is stunning. The acting isA unique, strange, and beautiful film that feels more like a Tall Tale than anything else I have seen on the big screen in a long time. This is an immaculately shot and directed movie, and every piece of the ship is beautiful. The way the music is portrayed is stunning. The acting is incredible, and is really an ensemble cast at their finest rather than Tim Roth shouldering the weight for everyone, even though he does do a fantastic job. This is one of the most underrated films from the 1990s, and I really think that this will be regarded as a classic one day.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SamuIndie

Dec 4, 2014

Masterpiece .

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

vgmkyle

Feb 9, 2016

Legend of 1900 is a beautiful film, from the acting to the soundtrack to how the film is shot... you shouldn't miss this if you haven't seen it already. Roth gives yet another great performance that is not only chilling but effective no matter how distant from him you may feel.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

HedzyS.

Feb 6, 2006

One of the greatest movies i've ever seen .. the story was well thought out, the characters are interesting, and the music is absolutely exquisite. In fact, this movie actually inspired me to start taking piano lessons. I am now 16 and have been playing for 6 years, ever since The One of the greatest movies i've ever seen .. the story was well thought out, the characters are interesting, and the music is absolutely exquisite. In fact, this movie actually inspired me to start taking piano lessons. I am now 16 and have been playing for 6 years, ever since The Journey Of 1900 was released.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEROJ

May 3, 2013

Superb original soundtrack,amazing story and beautiful atmosphere! This movie is really one of the few movies that my friends recommended to me and i liked it a lot! I would recommend it to everyone...but if you're a musician or you're a music lover you should watch this masterpiece withoutSuperb original soundtrack,amazing story and beautiful atmosphere! This movie is really one of the few movies that my friends recommended to me and i liked it a lot! I would recommend it to everyone...but if you're a musician or you're a music lover you should watch this masterpiece without no doubt! My final score for "The Legend of 1900" is 8/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

With 'The Legend of 1900', director, Giuseppe Tornatore, crafts an entertaining fable which pays major respect and homage to the world of early, New Orleans Jazz. Being that it is a legend, as well as being told by the musician who worked with the titular 1900 (yes, that is the character'sWith 'The Legend of 1900', director, Giuseppe Tornatore, crafts an entertaining fable which pays major respect and homage to the world of early, New Orleans Jazz. Being that it is a legend, as well as being told by the musician who worked with the titular 1900 (yes, that is the character's name and the reason why he was born with that name is kickass), we, as an audience, are free to interpret it however we may choose. Was it all true or was it all exaggerated? You decide. I really like films that can pull off open interpretation without sacrificing focus. I personally found it to be quite a lovely and musically respectful work of both joy and sadness despite its occasional ridiculous/hokey moments. I'd like to also give a shout out to all the exceptional actors and cinematography.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

G_Thomas_Boston

Apr 25, 2013

The Legend of 1900 is one of the cleverest comedies ever filmed. Director Giuseppe Tornatore manages to get the viewer to believe they are watching a serious movie about a boy who grows up (secretly) on an ocean liner. The boy becomes a man (still living on the ship but keeping a lowThe Legend of 1900 is one of the cleverest comedies ever filmed. Director Giuseppe Tornatore manages to get the viewer to believe they are watching a serious movie about a boy who grows up (secretly) on an ocean liner. The boy becomes a man (still living on the ship but keeping a low profile). But he becomes not just any man; he emerges as a piano virtuoso the likes of which the ocean blue has never seen.

One particularly chortle-worthy scene depicts Tim Roth's character (the titular 1900 (HA HA HA)) lighting a cigarette off of the "hot" piano strings after his jazz duel with Jelly Roll Morton. HA HA HA HA, HO HO HO... whew! Oh, that is priceless.

The over-the-top script is delivered with hilarious high-school histrionics by a cast that includes the usually serious Pruitt Taylor Vince and Clarence (Linc) Williams III.

Hold on a second. This just in. I've been advised that this is indeed NOT a comedy. Really? Well then, I must remind myself to never watch anything with "Legend(s) of" in the title (e.g. Legend of Bagger Vance, Legends of the Fall, Legend of Zorro, Legend of 1900). I thought those were all comedies.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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71	#71 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
48	#48 Most Shared Movie of 1999