Whereas some say it's a follow up from "la meglio gioventu" i don't agree. This movie (aprox 6 hours) is not set against the historic background of Italy. It's however a great dramatic story of how lives in a family are influenced by death and love. There are different story lines concerning almost every family member. The anger of the middle son because of his promiscuous father feels real. The story of the eldest, which happens to be homosexual is interesting just because it's not about homosexuals. The daughter truly pull's you in her grieve. I' nearly watched the 6 hours in one session en was never distracted. Nice Italian sort of slow film.