Volcano (1950)
"Vulcano" (original title)

While awaiting Production Code seal approval in the USA this Italian-made production went through three American distributors in three years; first Motion Picture Sales Corporation that ... See full summary »

Director:

William Dieterle

Writers:

Renzo Avanzo (story), Mario Chiari (adaptation),

Stars:

Anna Magnani, Rossano Brazzi, Geraldine Brooks

Cast

Cast overview:
Anna Magnani	...	Maddalena Natoli
Rossano Brazzi	...	Donato
Geraldine Brooks	...	Maria, Maddalena's sister
Eduardo Ciannelli	...	Giulio
Adriano Ambrogi	...	Don Antonio
Lucia Belfadel	...	Carmela
Cesare Giuffrè	...	Alvaro
Rosina Galli	...	A Worker
Enzo Staiola	...	Nino
Francesco Cupane	...	Merchant
Ignazio Consiglio	...	Boat Captain

Storyline

While awaiting Production Code seal approval in the USA this Italian-made production went through three American distributors in three years; first Motion Picture Sales Corporation that passed it off to Eagle Lion and finally to United Artits when they acquired Eagle Lion properties. Anna Magnani, a prostitute, is banished from Naples and returns to her home, a volcanic island off of southern Italy. There, she is accepted only by her younger sister and younger brother, and takes whatever job she can to get by. Rossano Brazzi, a diver by trade but a procuer for a prostitution ring---the white slave trade in those days---sets his cap for Anna's beautiful sister who has fallen in love with him. Anna sleeps with Brazzi to convince the sister he is bad news but the sister thinks otherwise. Later, on Brazzi's boat, Anna is pumping air to him while he is on an underwater dive and she resorts to the only course she has left to save her sister. She stops pumping. Feeling guilt and remorse she ...

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Plot Keywords:

sister

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Taglines:

Untamed! Unashamed! Raw and Violent!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

20 July 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Volcano

Filming Locations:

Salina Island, Aeolian Islands, Messina, Sicily, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artisti Associati, Panaria Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first underwater filming techniques were developed for Vulcano's treasure-hunting scenes.

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Connections

Edited into Lo schermo a tre punte (1995)

User Reviews

Anna Magnani - Owns this and every other movie she's in

It is such a pleasure to watch Anna Magnani in whatever she has been in. She completely becomes a character. You know you are looking at a genuine person in her performances.

Looking at her, somehow I know I have known someone like her or maybe a composite of many personnas that form her wholeness in my mind's eye. She achieves such a connection with her roles. She buries herself in them. They are real, they have so many dimensions, she uncovers so many layers to what she does. At once, you connect with her and want to know more about her character.

This movie shows Anna's evocative face, her steady but suffered eyes, her expressions in one of her most interesting and lusty portrayals. But this is not a lust of abandon but of richest characterization and filled with nuances and her own gifted brand of virtuoso impulsiveness.

The story is simple but yet not well known. It is a pleasure to see the black and white rustic scenes and peaceful faces of the residents found on this island off the Italian coast the way they were 50 years ago. Are we this innocent anymore?

There is nothing spectacular here except Anna herself. Rosanno Brazzi and Geraldine Brooks offer a perfect contrast to Anna's joie de vivre. If you have a chance to see it. Sit back and take in a true original at work at the highest pitch of her craft.

Oh, Anna. I miss you.