In Remembrance: Tonino Delli Colli

     Tonino Delli Colli, the Italian cinematographer who shot such classic films as The Name Of The Rose (1986), The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966) and Life Is Beautiful (1997), has died in Rome, Italy on August 17, 2005. He was 83.

     Born on November 20, 1923 in Rome, Delli Colli is regarded as one of the forces behind Italy’s neo-realistic cinema which flourished in the post decade or so following World War II. Delli Colli started working at Italian studio Cinecitta at 16, learning cinematography while an assistant to Mario Albertelli and eventually working his way up to camera operator. He shot his first film, Finalmente si (1944), when he turned 21. He would ultimately shoot over 130 films during his career.

     Although well known in his early career for his striking black and white photography, Delli Colli also shot Italy’s first color film, Toto A Colori (Toto In Color) in 1952.

     Delli Colli worked with several noted Italian directors including Sergio Leone – shooting his epics The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966), Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) and Once Upon A Time In America (1984) – and Federico Fellini – lensing Spirits Of The Dead (1969), Ginger And Fred (1986), Intervista (1987) and The Voice Of The Moon (1990). Delli Colli collaborated with director Pier Paolo Pasolini on a dozen films including Pasolini’s debut Accattone (1961), The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964), The Canterbury Tales (1974) and Salo O Le 120 Giornate Di Sodoma (Salo Or The 120 Days Of Sodom, 1976).

     He retired after shooting Roberto Benigini’s La Vita E Bella (Life Is Beautiful, 1997).