Fabrizio De André: Free Prince

8.1
2018

Fabrizio De André: Principe libero is a poignant and atmospheric Italian biopic that delves into the formative years and artistic awakening of one of Italy's most revered and enigmatic singer-songwriters, Fabrizio De André. Rather than attempting a cradle-to-grave biography, the film focuses on the crucial period that forged his unique voice and worldview.

Production

Logo for RAI

Seasons

2 Episodes • Premiered 2018

Still image for Fabrizio De André: Free Prince season 1 episode 1: Episode 1

1. Episode 1

7.0

Still image for Fabrizio De André: Free Prince season 1 episode 2: Episode 2

2. Episode 2

7.0

Cast

Photo of Luca Marinelli

Luca Marinelli

Fabrizio De André

Photo of Valentina Bellè

Valentina Bellè

Dori Ghezzi

Photo of Ennio Fantastichini

Ennio Fantastichini

Giuseppe De André

Photo of Elena Radonicich

Elena Radonicich

Enrica "Puny" Rignon

Photo of Davide Iacopini

Davide Iacopini

Mauro De André

Photo of Tommaso Ragno

Tommaso Ragno

Riccardo Mannerini

Photo of Gianluca Gobbi

Gianluca Gobbi

Paolo Villaggio

Photo of Matteo Martari

Matteo Martari

Luigi Tenco

Photo of Anna Ferruzzo

Anna Ferruzzo

Vittoria Ghezzi

Photo of Lorenzo Gioielli

Lorenzo Gioielli

Carlo Ghezzi

Photo of Orsetta De Rossi

Orsetta De Rossi

madre di Puny

Photo of Orietta Notari

Orietta Notari

Fernanda Pivano

Photo of Ciro Esposito

Ciro Esposito

capitano dei Carabinieri

Photo of Elena Arvigo

Elena Arvigo

Elena Arvigo

Photo of Simone Costa

Simone Costa

Cristiano De André

Photo of Tommaso Maria Neri

Tommaso Maria Neri

Fabrizio De André giovane

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Reviews

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### **Review: *Fabrizio De André: Free Prince (2018)***

**Score: 8.5/10**

A poetic and poignant tribute to Italy's legendary *cantautore*, *Fabrizio De André: Free Prince* is not a conventional biopic. Instead of chronicling his entire life, it focuses on two transformative periods that defined his soul and art: his rebellious youth in Genoa and the traumatic kidnapping that tested his ideals in Sardinia. The result is a beautifully acted, deeply reflective series that gets closer to the spirit of the man than any timeline ever could.

**What Works Brilliantly:**

* **Dual-Timeline Structure:** The parallel editing between young Fabrizio (a magnetic **Luca Marinelli**) discovering his voice among Genoa’s outcasts and the mature Fabrizio (**Alessandro Gassmann**) held captive in rural Sardinia is masterful. It creates a powerful dialogue between the formation of his humanist philosophy and its ultimate trial by fire.
* **Luca Marinelli’s Performance:** Marinelli doesn’t just imitate De André—he embodies the restless, observant, and gently rebellious spirit of the young artist. His performance is full of subtle intensity and captures the birth of a poetic conscience.
* **The "Kidnap" Chapters:** The Sardinia sequences are the series' dramatic heart. Gassmann portrays a profound, weary dignity as De André engages in startlingly humane dialogues with his captors. It’s here that the film explores its core theme: can one remain a "free prince" — true to one's ideals of empathy and anarchic liberty — even when physically imprisoned? The answer is moving and complex.
* **Atmosphere & Respect:** Director Valeria Golino avoids sensationalism. The tone is lyrical, almost novelistic, privileging mood and moral introspection over dramatic beats. The reverence for De André’s legacy is evident, not through hero worship, but through a sincere exploration of his contradictions and convictions.

**What Holds It Back from Perfection (Why Not a 9 or 10):**

* **Pacing for the Uninitiated:** For viewers unfamiliar with De André’s music or cultural significance, the deliberate, contemplative pace might feel slow at times. The series assumes a baseline of admiration or curiosity.
* **A Gloss on Complexity:** While emotionally truthful, it occasionally skirts the darker edges of De André’s personal life and political struggles, opting for a more polished, philosophical portrait over raw, unvarnished biography.

**Verdict:**

*Fabrizio De André: Free Prince* is a triumph of artistic biography. It succeeds because it seeks not to document a life, but to understand a spirit. It is a series about how art is born from empathy, and how character is forged in crisis. The central performances are unforgettable, and the final takeaway is a richer, deeper appreciation for the man behind the myth.

**Watch if:** You appreciate character-driven drama, Italian cinema, or artistic biographies that favour soul over fact-checking.
**Skip if:** You seek a comprehensive, fast-paced, or warts-and-all rock doc.

It is a worthy and beautiful homage to a "free prince" whose kingdom was the human heart.

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