La Strada (1954)

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

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

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

Stars:

Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart

Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anthony Quinn	...	Zampanò
Giulietta Masina	...	Gelsomina
Richard Basehart	...	The Fool
Aldo Silvani	...	Giraffa
Marcella Rovere	...	Widow
Livia Venturini	...	Nun

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 a tight-rope walker who convinces Gelsomina to question her choices.

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Plot Keywords:

drunkenness | innocence | 1950s | whiteface clown | strongman | 

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Taglines:

This is the picture YOU'VE HEARD about!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

16 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Road

Filming Locations:

Via Corinto, Rome, 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 was working on a film with Giulietta Masina when she introduced him to her husband, Federico Fellini. Fellini was immediately convinced that the Mexican -born actor would make the perfect Zampano the strongman in his new film, which was to become (La Strada (1954), and implored him to accept the role. The nonplussed actor, who had no idea who Fellini was, initially turned him down, but Fellini was persistent, pestering him for days about the project. Shortly thereafter, Quinn spent the evening with Ingrid Bergman and her husband, director Roberto Rossellini. After dinner, the three watched Fellini's most recent film, the comedy-drama (I Vitelloni (1953), and Quinn realized with astonishment that the crazy Italian filmmaker who had been hounding him for days was a genius.

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Goofs

While Gelsomina is sitting against the stone wall in the mountains, the light changes from shadow to direct sun.

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Quotes

Gelsomina: The Fool is hurt.

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Alternate Versions

The German theatrical version was cut by about 6 minutes to speed up the films pacing. DVD release also contains the Italian uncut version as a bonus feature.

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Connections

Referenced in Football of the Good Old Days (1973)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

La Strada and Cecil B de Mille

Anthony Quinn who was Cecil B de Mille's son in law told the story of showing La Strada to his father in law. It seems that De Mille couldn't take it. He asked for the projection to be interrupted in more than one occasion. He was disturbed, confused. Maybe it was the simplicity, the total lack of artifice. Let's remember Fellini shot it in the immediate post-war Italy with no means whatsoever and here it was, a masterpiece changing the world of cinema pushing us to a reality that was as pungent as it was poetic. The heartbreaking story of Gelsomina - an extraordinary Giulietta Masina - and Zampano - a spectacular prime Anthony Quinn who plays his humanoid with shattering truth - went to become a global sensation and an Oscar winner. Apparently, after the film was over, Cecil B de Mille got up and left the room without saying a word.