A Special Day (DVD) — Ettore Scola

A Special Day is Ettore Scola’s drama starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, set in Rome during Hitler’s 1938 visit. This two-disc DVD listing describes a restored 4K digital transfer and interviews, television appearances, a trailer, and an essay among its special features.

At a glance

Drama centered on an unexpected encounter between a housewife and a radio broadcaster during the 1938 visit of Hitler to Rome.
Listing describes a restored 4K digital transfer supervised by director Ettore Scola. This refers to the transfer, not a stated 4K disc format.
Special features listed include new interviews with Scola and Sophia Loren, two episodes of The Dick Cavett Show featuring Loren and Mastroianni, a trailer, and an essay by Deborah Young.
Two-disc DVD with English subtitles.

Price

$14.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$29.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Two-disc edition lists several film-related extras alongside the feature.
The story’s confined apartment setting and encounter between contrasting characters offer a focused historical drama.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Film and contributors
Director	Ettore Scola
Actors	Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren
Contributors	Ettore Scola, Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren
Runtime	1 hour and 47 minutes
Release date	October 13, 2015
Studio	Criterion Collection (Direct)

Disc and presentation
Number of discs	2
Media format	Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Subtitles	English
Color	Color

Dimensions
Dimensions and listed weight	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 4 ounces

Identification
Model number	2539

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing describes a restored 4K digital transfer but identifies the edition as a DVD. The 4K claim applies to the transfer and does not establish 4K disc playback.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in Italian cinema, historical drama, and performances by Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
Collectors seeking a DVD edition with interviews and archival television extras.

Less suited to

Buyers specifically seeking a Blu-ray or 4K UHD disc.

A Special Day (DVD) — Ettore Scola · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.5 / 5 · 74 ratings

5 stars77%77%
4 stars12%12%
3 stars6%6%
2 stars0%0%
1 star5%5%

Customer feedback highlights the acting, particularly Sophia Loren’s performance, and describes the film as meaningful. That praise may matter to viewers choosing a character-led historical drama. Aggregate ratings are mostly five-star, but a smaller share of ratings are one- or three-star, so reactions are not uniformly positive.

Positive themes

Customers praise the acting, especially Sophia Loren’s performance.
Customers describe the film as meaningful.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a 4K disc?

The listing identifies it as a DVD and separately describes a restored 4K digital transfer. It does not specify a 4K UHD disc.

What extras are listed?

The listing names interviews with Ettore Scola and Sophia Loren, two episodes of The Dick Cavett Show featuring Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, a trailer, and an essay by Deborah Young.

What is the film about?

Set in Rome during the 1938 visit of Hitler, the drama follows an unexpected friendship between a housewife and a radio broadcaster in their apartment building.

Does it include English subtitles?

Yes. The listing specifies English subtitles.