This Film Holds the Record for the Longest Title in History

In the world of art and entertainment, brevity is usually considered the soul of wit, especially when it comes to titles. While most creators aim for something short and punchy that sticks in the mind, a few choose to go in the opposite direction with titles so long they are nearly impossible to memorize.

These sprawling names often become more famous for their length than the actual content of the work, leaving audiences to rely on nicknames and abbreviations just to have a normal conversation. One of the most famous examples of this trend is Fiona Apple’s 1999 album, which is almost universally referred to as “When the Pawn…”

However, the full title is actually a poem consisting of nearly a hundred words. The official name is When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He’ll Win the Whole Thing ‘Fore He Enters the Ring There’s No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Around, You Must Make a Plan If You Wish to Make a Good Thing Even Better.

The music world is full of these wordy experiments, such as Marnie Stern’s 2008 release, which repeats the word “it” so many times it feels like a linguistic puzzle. Even mainstream stars like Lana Del Rey have embraced the long-form approach with tracks like “Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing.”

Arctic Monkeys also contributed to this style with their early hit, “You Probably Couldn’t See for the Lights, but You Were Staring Straight at Me.” While musicians have more freedom, filmmakers usually stick to short titles to ensure they fit on posters and marquee signs.

However, Italian director Lina Wertmüller shattered these practical rules in 1978 with a film that eventually landed in the Guinness World Records. Most people know the movie as “Blood Feud” or simply “Revenge,” but its actual title is a staggering list of phrases that explain the entire plot and setting.

The full Italian title is Un fatto di sangue nel comune di Siculiana fra due uomini per causa di una vedova. Si sospettano moventi politici. Amore-Morte-Shimmy. Lugano belle. Tarantelle. Tarallucci e vino.

When translated, it describes a bloody event in the town of Siculiana involving two men and a widow, with hints of political motives, love, death, and local culture. It is highly likely that even Wertmüller herself used the shortened version, as reciting the full name from memory is a task for only the most dedicated cinephiles.

Lina Wertmüller, the mastermind behind this record-breaking title, was a trailblazer in the film industry long before her death in late 2021. She made history in 1977 as the first woman ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for her film “Seven Beauties.”

In 2019, she received an Honorary Academy Award for her lifetime achievements, cementing her legacy as a provocative and highly influential figure in world cinema. Her “Blood Feud” film featured an incredible cast of legendary actors, including Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, and Giancarlo Giannini.

Sophia Loren, who is currently 91 years old, has recently returned to the spotlight following her acclaimed performance in “The Life Ahead.” There are ongoing rumors in Hollywood that she may take on one final project produced by her son, Edoardo Ponti, though no official filming dates have been confirmed for the current year.

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