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PhrasesAt the CinemaQuanto dura il film?
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Quanto dura il film?

How long is the film?

Pronunciation

DU-ra — stress on first syllable. 'durare' = to last. Short, clear vowels.

When to use it

Ask before buying tickets, especially for long films. Important when you have plans afterwards or are deciding whether to catch the last train. Also helps decide whether to eat before or after.

What it means

'Durare' (to last/to run) is used for the duration of films, events and time-limited things. 'Dura due ore' = it runs for two hours. The duration is listed on cinema websites as 'durata' followed by minutes. Average Italian films run 90–120 minutes.

Variations

Dura più di due ore?

Does it last more than two hours?

Specific threshold question — useful for planning.

Qual è la durata?

What is the running time?

More formal phrasing — 'durata' is the noun form.

C'è un intervallo?

Is there an interval?

Older Italian cinemas used to have intervals — very rare now but worth asking for very long films.

Mini Dialogue

— Quanto dura il film? — Dura due ore e venticinque minuti. — Abbastanza lungo! A che ora finisce la proiezione delle 20:00? — Finisce circa alle 22:30, considerando i trailer. — Ok, ho l'ultimo treno alle 23:00, ce la faccio.

— How long is the film? — It runs for two hours and twenty-five minutes. — Quite long! What time does the 8 pm showing end? — It ends at around 10:30, counting the trailers. — Ok, I have the last train at 11 pm, I'll make it.

Cultural Note

Italian films of the golden era (1960s–70s) were often 3+ hours long. Contemporary Italian films average around 100 minutes, though European arthouse films screened in Italy are often longer.