Pride & Passion: The Italians in America

Pride & Passion: The Italians in America is a comprehensive and entertaining examination of the history of the Italian people in the United States. This new one-hour television special details the many major contributions the Italian people have made to this country and, indeed, the world.

Narrated by renowned actor Tony Lo Bianco, the program begins with the moving and critically acclaimed prologue Growing Up Italian. (An 8-minute segment has gotten close to half a million hits on YouTube. The entire segment, approximately 12 minutes in length, is included as a bonus DVD with the music CD, The Italians – The Next Generation.)
Following the prologue, the film proceeds to examine the many monumental accomplishments of the Italian-American people in numerous areas of endeavor. These segments include:

· EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY: The discovery and exploration of the New World, colonial America, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the building of the nation’s capital, the Civil War, and the old West.

· THE ELLIS ISLAND ERA: The major immigration of Italians to America between 1890 and 1920, the Ellis Island experience, and facing prejudice in the new nation.

· ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: An exploration of the contributions Italian-Americans have made in music, film, television, and literature.

· DID YOU KNOW?: A segment on little-known facts, for instance Bruce Springsteen is Italian, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith is Italian, so are Susan Sarandon, Anne Bancroft, Nicolas Cage, Bernadette Peters, Connie Stevens, Bobby Rydel, Bobby Darin, Talia Shire, and Charles Atlas.

· BUSINESS & POLITICS: A look at the success and contributions of Italian-Americans in business and politics, such as Fiorello LaGuardia, Mario Cuomo, Lee Iacocca, Geraldine Ferraro, Rudy Giuliani, Amadeo Gianinni (Bank of America), and Ernest and Julio Gallo.

· SPORTS: Many Italian-Americans have served as trailblazers in the sports world. This documentary profiles numerous examples, including Joe DiMaggio, Rocky Marciano, Tommy Lasorda, Mike Piazza, Yogi Berra, Mary Lou Retton, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Mike Eruzione, Diana Taurasi, and Mario Andretti.

Pride & Passion: The Italians in America features interviews with an impressive list of notable Italian-Americans and a special friend. Guests include:

· Baseball legend Tommy Lasorda

· Actor Robert Loggia

· New York Yankee Derek Jeter

· Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton

· Former Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro

· Author Gay Talese

· College football coach legend Joe Paterno

· Comedian Pat Cooper

· WNBA basketball star Diana Taurasi

· Actor Jack Scalia

· Legendary baseball manager Joe Torre

· Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra

· Boxing cornerman Angelo Dundee

· College basketball coach Lou Carnesecca

· Sports mogul Jerry Colangelo

· MLB slugger Mike Piazza

· Lt. General Raymond Ordierno (U.S. Army)

· Actor Jimmy Stewart

This Special Edition Director’s Cut contains an additional material beyond the broadcast program. The footage includes extended interviews with guests featured in the broadcast program plus an additional interview with college basketball coach Lou Carnescecca. Other bonus features include an interview with Tony Lo Biano sharing thoughts about Frank Sinatra, plus a segment featuring the contributions of Italians in the fields of science and discovery.

Running Time: 114 minutes (broadcast program approx. 59 minutes, extra material approx. 55 minutes)

You may also be interested in this/these product(s):

Andrea Bocelli Amore DVD $120.00 Add to Cart

Frank Sinatra: A Man & His Music DVD $75.00 Add to Cart