Roberto Rosselini left Magnani for Ingrid Bergman in the late forties:with his new partner,they made "Stromboli" -which was to be followed by greater things such as "Europa 51" .So "Vulcano" :it's no coincidence that this movie was made scarcely a breath after Rosselini's work.It was a duel of titanic actresses,hiding behind vulcanos.They were so talented actresses that they tied.
"Vulcano" is ,like many a Magnani movie like "mamma Romma" a one-woman show:she's probably the most gifted thespian Italy has ever known,and any part she played is worth watching.Besides,the director ,William Dieterle is very competent,being able to tackle classic lit "the hunchback of Notre -Dame,his masterpiece and the best adaptation of this Hugo warhorse,historical biography ("Juarez")and even western (the first scenes of "duel in the sun are reportedly his)- and here to merge into Italian neorealism!The screenplay is pure melodrama ,the story of a hooker who tries to redeem herself by keeping her younger sister out of the wrong track.Two strong scenes :the first when the holier-than-thou old women stop Maddalena (Mary Magdelene?) from coming into the church ,and she replies that God is everywhere;the second on the boat when Maddalena stops operating the pump and holds the bell into her hands.
That said "Stromboli" is much less melodramatic,and closer to neorealism.Both movies feature the expected eruption ,of course!
"Vulcano" is ,like many a Magnani movie like "mamma Romma" a one-woman show:she's probably the most gifted thespian Italy has ever known,and any part she played is worth watching.Besides,the director ,William Dieterle is very competent,being able to tackle classic lit "the hunchback of Notre -Dame,his masterpiece and the best adaptation of this Hugo warhorse,historical biography ("Juarez")and even western (the first scenes of "duel in the sun are reportedly his)- and here to merge into Italian neorealism!The screenplay is pure melodrama ,the story of a hooker who tries to redeem herself by keeping her younger sister out of the wrong track.Two strong scenes :the first when the holier-than-thou old women stop Maddalena (Mary Magdelene?) from coming into the church ,and she replies that God is everywhere;the second on the boat when Maddalena stops operating the pump and holds the bell into her hands.
That said "Stromboli" is much less melodramatic,and closer to neorealism.Both movies feature the expected eruption ,of course!