The Legend of 1900 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A musically gifted man is born on a boat and then… refuses to get off, ever, because the land is too big or something.

🍿 The Legend of 1900: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Discovery of 1900

In 1900, Danny Boodmann, a stoker aboard the ocean liner Virginian, discovers an abandoned baby in first class. He names the child Danny Boodmann T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred, or ‘1900’ for short. Danny raises 1900 in the ship’s engine room, shielding him from the outside world. The boy grows up immersed in the sounds and rhythms of the ship, unaware of life beyond its decks.

A Musical Prodigy Emerges

After Danny’s accidental death, 1900, now an adolescent, is drawn to the ship’s grand ballroom and its piano. He demonstrates an extraordinary innate talent for music, captivating passengers with his improvisational skills. He becomes a fixture in the ship’s orchestra, his music reflecting the diverse experiences and emotions of the travelers. His reputation as a musical genius begins to spread.

Friendship and Fame Aboard the Virginian

1900 befriends Max Tooney, a trumpet player who joins the orchestra. Max becomes 1900’s confidant and witness to his incredible talent. He observes 1900’s reluctance to leave the ship, despite opportunities for fame and fortune on land. 1900’s unique music attracts attention, even leading to a legendary piano duel with Jelly Roll Morton, which 1900 wins decisively.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Novecento (Tim Roth): A musical genius born and raised on an ocean liner, who never sets foot on land, fearing the infinite choices of the world.
• Max (Pruitt Taylor Vince): Novecento’s loyal friend and a trumpet player, who narrates the story of the legendary pianist and tries to persuade him to leave the ship.
• Danny (Bill Nunn): The kind stoker who discovers and raises Novecento, providing him with a loving and unconventional upbringing on the ship.
• ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton (Clarence Williams III): The famous and arrogant jazz pianist who challenges Novecento to a piano duel, ultimately being defeated by his extraordinary talent.
• La ragazza (Mélanie Thierry): A beautiful young woman who inspires Novecento and almost motivates him to leave the ship, representing a potential life beyond the ocean.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• 1900: “All that city… You just couldn’t see an end to it.” – 1900 explains why he didn’t leave the ship, overwhelmed by the vastness of the city and infinite choices.
• 1900: “Land is a ship too big for me. It’s a woman too beautiful. It’s a voyage too long. Perfume too strong. It’s music I don’t know how to make.” – He expresses his fear and inability to adapt to life on land.
• 1900: “You’re never really done for as long as you have a good story and someone to tell it to.” – 1900 highlights the importance of stories and connection with others.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $167,435
• Worldwide Gross: $21,061,339

💥 The Legend of 1900 Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored this movie! It’s such a unique story, and Tim Roth’s performance is incredible. The scene where he ‘rides’ the piano during the storm? Unforgettable! It made me think about the choices we make and what ‘home’ really means. The music alone is worth watching for. I keep recommending it to all my friends.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Lovers of jazz and classical music”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Audiences seeking thought-provoking and emotional films”
  • “Those who enjoyed ‘Cinema Paradiso'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief mild language”
  • “Some thematic elements related to loss and existentialism”
  • “Historical context involving immigration and social class”
  • “May be emotionally intense for some viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Tornatore creates a visually stunning and musically rich world. The film’s whimsical nature might not appeal to all, but its exploration of identity and belonging resonates deeply.
• The New York Times: “While occasionally veering into sentimentality, ‘The Legend of 1900’ offers a compelling character study elevated by Tim Roth’s nuanced performance and Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable score.
• Empire: “A sweeping and magical tale. While the premise is fantastical, the film’s exploration of choice and destiny makes it a worthwhile and unforgettable experience. The music is fantastic

Audience Reactions

The piano duel is epic and showcases the character’s incredible talent.: Viewers are consistently blown away by the movie’s beautiful music and the unique story.

Tim Roth delivers a captivating and memorable performance.: Many people have said Tim Roth gives the best performance in this movie.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and musically enchanting film with a unique story that resonates with many, despite its occasional forays into sentimentality. The movie also garnered a lot of mixed reviews.

Awards

1. David di Donatello Awards (Best Music)- 1999
2. David di Donatello Awards (Best Cinematography)- 1999
3. David di Donatello Awards (Best Costume Design)- 1999
4. European Film Awards (Best Cinematographer)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tim Roth, who played Novecento, does not actually play the piano. He underwent six months of training to convincingly mimic playing for the cameras.”
• “The exterior shots of the ship were inspired by the blueprints of the SS Lusitania and her sister ship, the SS Mauritania.”
• “The original Italian version of the film runs 170 minutes. It was shortened to 123 minutes for the US release.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Legend of 1900?

As of October 2024, ‘The Legend of 1900’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability as it may vary by region. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on any subscription-based streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Legend of 1900, you might like these similar films:

• Cinema Paradiso (1988): Directed by the same director, Giuseppe Tornatore, it shares a nostalgic and sentimental style, focusing on the power of art and memory.
• Amadeus (1984): Explores the life of a musical genius and the impact of their extraordinary talent on the world around them, featuring iconic musical performances.
• Titanic (1997): Features life aboard a grand ocean liner and intertwines personal stories with the ship’s journey, though with a focus on romance and disaster.

🛒 The Legend of 1900 Related Products

• The Legend of 1900 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, featuring original compositions and jazz standards. Experience the film’s emotional depth through its music.
• The Legend of 1900 [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of the film. Includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary.
• Tim Roth Autographed The Legend of 1900 8×10 Photo: A signed photograph of Tim Roth as Novecento. Showcases the actor in his iconic role. Guaranteed authenticity.
• Jazz Piano Sheet Music Collection – Inspired by The Legend of 1900: A collection of sheet music featuring jazz piano pieces inspired by the film’s soundtrack. Includes simplified and advanced arrangements for various skill levels.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Legend of 1900 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Playing Love” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Lost Boys Calling” – performed by Roger Waters, Ennio Morricone
• “The Crisis” – performed by Ennio Morricone

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How Realistic Are These Piano Scenes In Films?? Jazz Pianist Reacts

Ever wondered how realistic those intense piano scenes in movies actually are? This jazz pianist breaks it down, and honestly, some of the stuff they get away with is hilarious!

✨ Rate