The Italian Americans
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About
The Italian Americans is a PBS documentary series about the Italian experience in America. The series, written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, explores the evolution of Italian Americans from the late nineteenth century to today, from “outsiders” once viewed with suspicion and mistrust to some of the most prominent leaders of business, politics and the arts today.
Cast
Episodes
Season 1
La Famiglia Roots (1880 – 1910)
A brief history of the Italian Risorgimento provides the context for the great flight from the mezzogiorno region, as well as the roots of the first generation's distinctive psychology. Through the travels of Italian migrant workers, we understand the transnational nature of these "Birds of Passage." By the late 19th century, Italians begin to put down roots. "Little Italy's" spring up in urban areas throughout the U.S. But the first generation holding onto their language and culture are branded as "outsiders" and mistrusted by non-Italians. In New Orleans, this mistrust explodes into violence, where eleven Italian Americans are murdered by an armed mob. While in San Francisco, a second generation Italian American saves his community from disaster while creating one of the greatest financial institutions in America. Italian immigrants and their children start to become Italian Americans.
Becoming American (1914–1930)
At the turn of the 20th century, over 4 million Italians immigrate to America to start new lives. Although mistrustful of government institutions, parents send their children to public school to succeed in America. Leonard Covello is forced to give up his "old world" ways and adapt American mores, including changing his name; Arturo Giovannitti, a new immigrant to America, leads the largest labor strike of 1912, where Italian Americans push for better working conditions and decent wages. While Italian Americans are forced to worship in the basement of churches controlled by the Irish Archdiocese, they take to the streets to reinforce their beliefs and culture; anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti are executed, reinforcing stereotypes that plague Italian Americans today, while prohibition breeds a new kind of criminal who takes a shortcut to success.
Loyal Americans (1930–1945)
A second generation of Italian Americans begins to enter the labor movement, politics, sports and entertainment. Fiorello LaGuardia beats Tammany Hall, the Irish Political machine in New York, to become Mayor and represent the "little guy." Joe DiMaggio, the son of a fisherman in San Francisco, becomes a powerhouse, who breaks the record for consecutive hits and becomes an All-American hero. But with the outbreak of World War II, Italians' loyalty to America is questioned and they are forced to choose between two nations at war. While many Italian Americans fight on the frontlines with valor and bravery, other Italian Americans are labeled "Enemy Aliens" including DiMaggio's parents. The War proves to be a turning point for Italian Americans as they begin to break out of their enclaves.
The American Dream (1945 to present day)
In postwar America, Italian Americans seem finally to have arrived. They move to the suburbs, attend college and enter the middle-class. Italian American crooners define American cool, with Frank Sinatra leading the pack. But even as he skyrockets to fame, he is haunted by accusations of Mafia ties, an albatross Sinatra cannot escape from. Can Italian Americans ever fit into 1950s America, or will the specter of organized crime always bring them down? Popular media reinforces the negative stereotypes at the same time that Italian Americans are achieving success. Governor Mario Cuomo, the son of Italian immigrants achieves great success but struggles to straddle both worlds, while his sons' success promises full assimilation and acceptance. Antonin Scalia becomes the first Italian American put on the Supreme Court, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi is elected the first woman and Italian American to Speaker of the House of Representatives. But will there ever be an Italian American President? Have Italian Americans finally shed the old stereotypes and become fully accepted in America?
Where does The Italian Americans rank today?
The Italian Americans is #10000 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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Watch The Italian Americans Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream The Italian Americans online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A highly acclaimed documentary series originally produced in English and released in 2015, it's earned a solid 8.5/10 from 2 viewers worldwide.
About The Italian Americans
The Italian Americans is a PBS documentary series about the Italian experience in America. The series, written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, explores the evolution of Italian Americans from the late nineteenth century to today, from “outsiders” once viewed with suspicion and mistrust to some of the most prominent leaders of business, politics and the arts today. Across 1 season and 4 episodes, originally airing on PBS.
The Italian Americans Cast and Characters
The cast features Stanley Tucci (as Self, Narrator), Adriana Trigiani (as Self), John Turturro (as Self), and Gay Talese (as Self). Their performances are a major reason The Italian Americans has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Italian Americans Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch The Italian Americans free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch The Italian Americans NowWhy People Are Watching The Italian Americans
There's a reason The Italian Americans keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Italian Americans
Where can I watch The Italian Americans online for free?
You can watch The Italian Americans online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Italian Americans have?
The Italian Americans has 4 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Italian Americans good? What's the rating?
The Italian Americans holds a 8.5/10 rating based on 2 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of The Italian Americans?
The main cast includes Stanley Tucci, Adriana Trigiani, John Turturro, and Gay Talese.
Is The Italian Americans available in English?
Yes — The Italian Americans was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Italian Americans released?
The Italian Americans first aired in 2015.
Do I need an account to watch The Italian Americans on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Italian Americans without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Italian Americans for free?
You can watch The Italian Americans online for free on Bowood.TV. All 4 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Italian Americans have?
The Italian Americans currently has 1 season and a total of 4 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Italian Americans about?
The Italian Americans is a PBS documentary series about the Italian experience in America. The series, written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, explores the evolution of Italian Americans from the late nineteenth century to today, from “outsiders” once viewed w… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is The Italian Americans originally available?
The Italian Americans was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Italian Americans first released?
The Italian Americans first premiered on February 17, 2015 (2015). The series has since concluded its run.
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