The Greatest Love (1952)
"Europa '51" (original title)

Irene Girard is an ambassador's wife and used to always live in luxury. After the dramatic death of her son, she feels guilty of having neglected him and feels compelled to help people in ... See full summary »

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (story), Roberto Rossellini,

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman, Alexander Knox, Ettore Giannini

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ingrid Bergman	...	Irene Girard
Alexander Knox	...	George Girard
Ettore Giannini	...	Andrea Casatti
Teresa Pellati	...	Ines
Giulietta Masina	...	Passerotto
Marcella Rovena	...	Mrs. Puglisi
Tina Perna	...	Cesira
Sandro Franchina	...	Michele Girard
Giancarlo Vigorelli	...	Judge
Maria Zanoli	...	Mrs. Galli
Silvana Veronese
William Tubbs	...	Professor Alessandrini
Alberto Plebani	...	Mr. Puglisi
Eleonora Barracco
Alfred Brown	...	Hospital Priest

Storyline

Irene Girard is an ambassador's wife and used to always live in luxury. After the dramatic death of her son, she feels guilty of having neglected him and feels compelled to help people in need who cross her path. One day she offers shelter to a man who is evading justice, and she ends being arrested herself. Her husband, for the sake of social propriety, arranges for a doctor to declare her insane. Irene escapes one prison to enter another, and to reflect on what sort of society she lives in.

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Plot Keywords:

post world war two | alienation | mental institution | high society | charity | 

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Taglines:

Would she lose her husband, her home? - Her answer will stun you!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

3 November 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Greatest Love

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ponti-De Laurentiis Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Damned! Daney (1991)

User Reviews

Ingrid Bergman creates an astonishing character!

I suppose that when "Europa '51" was going to be filmed there was a great professional mutual understanding between Rossellini (the director) and Ingrid Bergman (main actress). It's really astonishing the way Ingrid Bergman's face changes throughout the movie. She really looks like a "human God" (specially towards the end) just by looking at her expressions. If you have the opportunity of watching "Europa '51" twice, you will notice that her character in the beginning of the story, where Irene Girard (Ingrid Bergman) is the mother of a well-off family, is totally different from the last shots. I also like how Irene contrasts with the way of living of the poor children and working-women. Although Rossellini's movie is a bit lengthy, bearing in mind it was made in Italy in 1952, many events occur with short scenes perfectly connected obtaining a gorgeous dynamism as a whole. I'm almost sure that my favorite scene is the same as the majority of the people who watched "Europa '51". I refer to the moving ending of the story. I also like how the camera moves around capturing the contrast of expressions between the sick patients and Irene. I encourage everybody to watch this masterpiece, even twice!