La Strada (1954)
"La strada" (original title)

A carefree girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way.

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini (story), Tullio Pinelli (story),

Stars:

Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart

Top 250 #197 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anthony Quinn	...	Zampanò
Giulietta Masina	...	Gelsomina
Richard Basehart	...	Il Matto - The Fool
Aldo Silvani	...	Signor Giraffa
Marcella Rovere	...	La Vedova
Livia Venturini	...	La Suorina

Storyline

Sad story of a waif, Gelsomina, who is sold by her mother to Zampano for 10,000 lire and a few kilos of food. Zampano is a traveling showman who exhibits feats of strength by breaking a chain wrapped around his chest. He performs in village squares and then passes the hat for whatever the normally small crowd is prepared to give. He teaches Gelsomina a drum roll as part of his introduction. He doesn't treat her well and when she tries to run away, he beats her. They eventually join a small traveling circus where they meet Il Matto but a disagreement leads to tragedy. Zampano eventually abandons the girl and it's only many years later that he learns of her fate.

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Plot Keywords:

strongman | traveling circus | on the road | circus | tragedy | 

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Taglines:

You've been hearing about a great picture called La Strada (The Road)...now it is here!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

16 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

La Strada

Filming Locations:

Bagnoregio, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ponti-De Laurentiis Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anthony Quinn said in an interview a few years before his death that he originally accepted a deal that would have paid him a percentage of the profits this film generated instead of an upfront salary. When his agent found out about it, the agent changed the deal and insisted an upfront salary and no percentage. Quinn said that decision cost him several million dollars.

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Goofs

After Gelsomina has spend the night in the hole on the farm, she climbs out and wakes Zampanò. She is wearing a striped shirt under her coat. She then tells Zampanò she is leaving, walks away and takes off her coat. She is now wearing a solid-color sweater.

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Quotes

The Fool: What a funny face! Are you a woman, really? Or an artichoke?

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Connections

Featured in Petites notes à propos du film 'Je vous salue, Marie' (1983)

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Soundtracks

"La Strada Love Theme"
(1954) (uncredited)
Music by Nino Rota and Michele Galdieri
Published by Leeds

User Reviews

Pure, surreal, a treat for the mind and heart

Often it is hard to find a romance which does not include actual romance - i.e. - liplock, hugging scenes. The viewer is overflowed with emotion because the film itself focuses on human emotion, and is a pure amusement to watch because of the many symbols. When Zampano tries to steal a silver heart from the church and Gelsomina pleads with him not to, we can only think of the cold silver heart, his sad action of trying to "steal" such an emotion as "love", Gelsomina's soft nature - this film overflows with such subtleties, but such subtleties! so impactful in conveying emotion..

Gelsomina's faith to Zampano is heartwrenching - she is presented with opportunities to leave Zampano, such as leaving to the nunnery or joining the circus, but she declines all. This fidelity builds up, only to have.. well, let's just say that Fellini is especially skillful in drawing your sympathy and then channeling for it in a single scene.. he knows how to focus and concentrate your emotion, I felt sort of violated after watching the film, since I rarely cry for movies! Also, if the symbolism does not stir a reader to interest, the amazing cinematography will. The tightrope act atop the city buildings, the motorbike rides, the Christ ceremony-

This movie is unpredictable and is interesting to watch, since it keeps the mind afloat with the different scenes which are packed with symbols and metaphors, wonderful puzzles to decipher. Since Fellini does not present it straight-forwardly, and rather wraps meaning in several layers of symbols, uncovering the truth becomes fulfilling for the viewer.

The way Fellini develops his characters is unforgettable. We feel their demise, but urge to see and understand more. I feel only Fellini can accomplish such a remarkable quality. And in case you didn't get the gist of my rating (and my ranting).. 4 stars. Please rent this and enjoy, Fellini's incredible! :o)