`PIZZICATA' BRINGS WORLD WAR II-ERA RURAL ITALY TO LIFE.

Byline: Janet Maslin The New York Times

Good fortune literally falls out of the sky in Edoardo Winspeare's ``Pizzicata,'' a winsome Italian film set in southern Italy in 1943. A handsome Italian-American soldier named Tony Marciano (Fabio Frascaro) is forced to parachute into rural Italy, near the place where he was born. He also falls into the midst of a family including a beautiful, lonely young woman named Cosima (Chiara Torelli).

Since Tony speaks fluent Italian, it's not difficult for the head of the family, Carmine, to pass the young man off as a distant relative, and so Tony's inauguration into rustic Italian life begins.

It's a life that includes a lot of the impassioned, barefoot dancing from which the film takes its composite title. The joyous pizzica is an amorous and festive dance, set to the percussive beat of tambourines, and bearing a resemblance to Greek folk dancing. The tarantata is a mad dance of grief and longing, and within the story of ``Pizzicata'' there is room for both.

Winspeare, who previously made documentaries, calls this first feature ``a declaration of love for my country.'' It's easy to see why. Unfolding at a lovely, soothing tempo until it occasionally bursts forth with vibrant dance scenes, ``Pizzicata'' warmly evokes the landscape of Salento and the modest lives of peasant farmers in that region.

What's not to like? There is a strong sense of community and fellowship here, not to mention such charming local color as chickens roaming outside Carmine's farmhouse, melodious singing, serene leaf gathering and fence building, and frequent references to local olives and wine.

There are even folksy truisms like ``A married woman means a loaded donkey,'' which comes up when Cosima finds herself pursued by the son of the wealthiest landowner around. Meanwhile she and Tony are seen falling gently and inevitably in love.

``I asked the actors to imagine that they were in love without touching,'' Winspeare has said about the two main characters as they danced pizzica scenes. Certainly they remained true to the spirit of that direction.

``Pizzicata'' makes the connection between emigration and war as two reasons that so many men in the region are missing. ``America to us is pain,'' says Carmine. ``It takes away our sons, like the war.'' Thus there is something gratifying in the ease with which Tony slips back into the gentle ways of his homeland, finding respite so easily there.

All would be far more simple and exultant, even beneath the shadow of wartime, if the warm reception accorded Tony did not prompt outrage from Pasquale (Paolo Massafra), the rich man's son.

Many of the film's minor players appear to be local villagers, including the toothless grandmother who gives Cosima advice. ``I'm 90,'' says the old woman, offering reason enough to be listened to. They contribute greatly to the inviting naturalness of ``Pizzicata,'' which is colorfully offset by the passions that love and music arouse.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Pizzicata'' (not rated). In Italian, with English subtitles.

The stars: Cosimo Cinieri, Fabio Frascaro, Chiara Torelli, Anna Dimitri.

Behind the scenes: Written and directed by Edoardo Winspeare. Produced by Winspeare, Dieter Horres and Fratelli Guiercia Sammarco. Released by Milestone Film and Video.

Running time: One hour, 33 minutes.

Playing: Laemmle's Music Hall, Beverly Hills.

Our rating: Three stars.