What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved1900
Bernardo Bertolucci · Film · 1976
If you loved 1900, start with One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez, 1967) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to 1900 across media.
If 1900 captured your imagination, you will appreciate these expansive stories that weave individual lives into the grand tapestry of history.
Books on the same thread
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez · Book · 1967
Explores: generational trauma, incest, fate vs free will.
Like 1900, this multigenerational epic uses the rise and fall of a specific family to mirror the turbulent political and social shifts of a nation over many decades.
War and Peace (Война и мир)
Leo Tolstoy · Book · 1869
Explores: Napoleonic Wars, Russian aristocracy, Social class.
This literary epic shares the vast historical scope found in 1900, examining how the lives of the aristocracy and common people collide amidst the chaos of shifting political eras.
History
Elsa Morante · Book · 2015
Explores: the plight of the subaltern, history from below, the dehumanizing effects of war.
Sharing the intense focus on the dehumanizing effects of conflict seen in 1900, this narrative captures the struggle of the subaltern against the crushing weight of Italian history.
Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell · Book · 2004
Explores: Totalitarianism, Surveillance, Loss of Individuality.
If the political tension in 1900 resonated with you, this work offers a chilling exploration of the totalitarian control and propaganda that threaten the individual spirit and human truth.
Series on the same thread
Jesus of Nazareth
Franco Zeffirelli · Series · 1977
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Sacrifice.
This religious epic matches the grand, sweeping visual scale of 1900, dramatizing foundational history through a lens that emphasizes the struggle between good and evil in human life.
Rome
Bruno Heller · Series · 2005
Shares a thread with 1900: Political Drama.
Just as 1900 depicts the power struggles of Italy, this series explores the brutal political realities and social hierarchies of ancient Rome through the eyes of its diverse citizens.
The World at War
Series · 1973
Explores: World War II, Historical Account, The Holocaust.
This historical account provides the raw, factual context for the twentieth-century themes of class conflict and war that serve as the haunting backdrop for the drama in 1900.
My Brilliant Friend
Saverio Costanzo · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with 1900: Coming-of-Age Drama.
This series mirrors the childhood friendship at the heart of 1900, tracking how two people grow up and navigate the rigid social class structures of their Italian environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
Much like the historical inquiry in 1900, this podcast challenges national identity by examining the foundational systemic injustices that continue to shape the lives of modern citizens today.
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
This series echoes the political analysis found in 1900 by investigating the shifting forces of populism and institutional change that define the current state of our national landscape.
Keep exploring
Common questions
How long is the movie 1900?
1900 is an epic film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci that spans over five hours in its original uncut version. Given its status as a massive tale of class struggle in twentieth century Italy, viewers should plan for a significant time commitment to watch the complete story.
Is 1900 based on a true story?
1900 is a fictional epic tale that dramatizes class struggle in twentieth century Italy. The narrative focuses on the lives of two childhood friends who find themselves on opposing sides of the social divide, reflecting the political tensions of the era rather than a specific historical biography.
What is the central conflict in 1900?
The central conflict in 1900 is the intense class struggle occurring in Italy throughout the twentieth century. This epic story explores these societal divisions through the evolving relationship of two childhood friends who grow up to hold opposing views and positions within their community.
Should I watch 1900 if I enjoy historical epics?
If you enjoy historical epics that examine social change, 1900 is a relevant choice. The film provides a detailed look at the twentieth century in Italy, focusing on the lifelong bond between two childhood friends as they navigate the complex and often violent class struggle of their time.