Belíssima (1951)

A woman from the low class desperately tries to get her daughter into the movies.

Director:

Luchino Visconti

Writers:

Cesare Zavattini (story), Suso Cecchi D'Amico (screenplay)

Stars:

Anna Magnani, Walter Chiari, Tina Apicella

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anna Magnani	...	Maddalena Cecconi
Walter Chiari	...	Alberto Annovazzi
Tina Apicella	...	Maria Cecconi
Gastone Renzelli	...	Spartaco Cecconi
Tecla Scarano	...	Tilde Spernanzoni
Lola Braccini	...	Photographer's Wife
Arturo Bragaglia	...	Photographer
Nora Ricci	...	Laundry Worker
Vittorina Benvenuti
Linda Sini	...	Mimmetta
Teresa Battaggi	...	Snob Mother
Gisella Monaldi	...	Door-keeper
Amalia Pellegrini
Luciana Ricci
Giuseppina Arena

Storyline

Film director Blasetti is looking for a little girl for his new movie. Along with other mothers, Maddelena takes her daugther to Cinecittà, hoping she'll be selected and become a star. She is ready to sacrifice anything for little Maria, even if her husband would prefer they save their little money for the rent, instead of paying teachers, hairdressers or bribes for her illusions.

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Plot Keywords:

screen test | motion picture industry | mother daughter relationship | humiliation | audition | 

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Taglines:

Italy's Greatest Actress in her Prize-Winning Performance!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

24 May 1955 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Belíssima

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Bellissima

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The poem Maria recites is "Addio a Venezia" (1849) by Arnaldo Fusinato.

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Connections

References A Professora Diverte-se (1946)

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Soundtracks

Il valzer dello zigo zago
(uncredited)
Written by C. Deani and Dino Olivieri
Performed by Anna Magnani

User Reviews

A Tale of Disillusion

In a post-war Italy, Maddalena Cecconi (Anna Magnani) is a woman from the lower classes abused by her husband Spartaco Cecconi (Gastone Renzelli), who is obsessed to make her young daughter Maria (Tina Apicella) a star in the cinema industry. She expects a better life for Maria, and she sacrifices her marriage and her savings paying interpretation and ballet teachers, dress, hairdresser and bribe for the small time crook Alberto Annovazzi (Walter Chiari) to make her dream come true. When the director sees the test of Maria, Maddalena realizes the reality and cruelty of the entertainment industry.

"Belissima" is a beautiful tale of disillusion. Anna Magnani has a magnificent interpretation in a role of a very poor mother and frustrated woman, spanked by her husband, trying to give a better life for her young daughter. Living nearby a movie theater, she sees the opportunity when a famous director is chasing a young talent for his next movie. Her characters gives the best effort within her short culture and vision trying to make her dream comes true, being very touching the moment when her dreams are shattered. The direction of Luchino Visconti is precise and flawless as usual, and the story is very real and credible. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Belíssima" ("Very Beautiful")