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IMDbPro

The Road

Original title: La strada
  • 19541954
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
63K
YOUR RATING
Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart, and Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
Trailer for La Strada
Play trailer1:34
2 Videos
94 Photos
  • Drama
A care-free girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way.A care-free girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way.A care-free girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
63K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Federico Fellini
  • Writers
    • Federico Fellini(story and screenplay)
    • Tullio Pinelli(story and screenplay)
    • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaborator)
  • Stars
    • Anthony Quinn
    • Giulietta Masina
    • Richard Basehart
Top credits
  • Director
    • Federico Fellini
  • Writers
    • Federico Fellini(story and screenplay)
    • Tullio Pinelli(story and screenplay)
    • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaborator)
  • Stars
    • Anthony Quinn
    • Giulietta Masina
    • Richard Basehart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 167User reviews
    • 113Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 12 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos2

    La Strada
    Trailer 1:34
    La Strada
    Cate Blanchett and Director James Gray Connect on Great Films About Hope
    Video 12:08
    Cate Blanchett and Director James Gray Connect on Great Films About Hope

    Photos94

    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    The Road (1954)
    Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Anthony Quinn in The Road (1954)
    Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)
    Richard Basehart and Giulietta Masina in The Road (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Zampanòas Zampanò
    Giulietta Masina
    Giulietta Masina
    • Gelsominaas Gelsomina
    Richard Basehart
    Richard Basehart
    • The Foolas The Fool
    Aldo Silvani
    Aldo Silvani
    • Giraffaas Giraffa
    Marcella Rovena
    Marcella Rovena
    • Widowas Widow
    Livia Venturini
    • Nunas Nun
    Pietro Ceccarelli
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    Giovanna Galli
    • Prostituteas Prostitute
    • (uncredited)
    Gustavo Giorgi
      Yami Kamadeva
      • Prostituteas Prostitute
      • (uncredited)
      Mario Passante
      Mario Passante
      • Waiteras Waiter
      • (uncredited)
      Anna Primula
      • Gelsomina's Motheras Gelsomina's Mother
      • (uncredited)
      Goffredo Unger
      Goffredo Unger
      • Man Restraining Zampano from Attackingas Man Restraining Zampano from Attacking
      • (uncredited)
      Nazzareno Zamperla
      Nazzareno Zamperla
      • Man Restraining Zampano from Attackingas Man Restraining Zampano from Attacking
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Federico Fellini
      • Writers
        • Federico Fellini(story and screenplay)
        • Tullio Pinelli(story and screenplay) (dialogue)
        • Ennio Flaiano(screenplay collaborator)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • 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 Zampanò the strongman in his new film, which was to become (The Road (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.
      • Goofs
        When Zampanò meets The Fool while he is repairing a flat tire on his car, the left front wheel is removed and the car is jacked. Right after the altercation, when Zampanò pushes The Fool's car, the wheel rim is back and not jacked anymore.
      • Quotes

        The Fool: If you won't stay with him, who will? I'm an ignorant man, but I've read a book or two. You may not believe it, but everything in this world has a purpose. Even this pebble, for example.

        Gelsomina: Which one?

        The Fool: This one. Any one. But even this one has a purpose.

        Gelsomina: What's its purpose?

        The Fool: Its purpose is - how should I know? If I knew, I'd be...

        Gelsomina: Who?

        The Fool: The Almighty, who knows everything. When you're born. When you die. Who knows? No, I don't know what this pebble's purpose is, but it must have one, because if this pebble has no purpose, then everything is pointless. Even the stars! At least, I think so. And you too. You have a purpose too.

      • 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.
      • Connections
        Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: La monnaie de l'absolu (1999)
      • Soundtracks
        La Strada Love Theme
        (1954) (uncredited)

        Music by Nino Rota and Michele Galdieri

        Published by Leeds

      User reviews167

      Review
      Top review
      8/10
      A beautiful insight ... Masina makes the film her own
      La Strada can sometimes come across as similar to the Hollywood films made in the 1950s, but for the most part, is a unique and beautiful story. It concerns a young woman, Gelsomina, being given to traveling "artist" Zampano by her poor mother in exchange for money. Zampano makes his money by traveling around Italy, putting on a strong-man show for crowds. Gelsomina has dreams of becoming an artist as well, and therefore was more than happy to go with Zampano, but Gelsomina quickly realises that Zampano is nothing more than a drunkard and a brute, with eating, sleeping and sex being the only things he cares for.

      The character of Gelsomina, played by Giulietta Masina, is the highlight of the film. With a face like no other, it exudes a certain beauty but is also very odd, with a definite quirkiness to it …"like an artichoke". Masina is excellent as expressing emotions with nothing more than a look, and it is because of this that the film stands strong. The story itself is simple, but with Gelsomina being such a romantic at heart, she is constantly searching for love and an understanding of a world she doesn't know, being such a sheltered loner when living with her mother and four younger sisters.

      Zampano, the traveling strong-man, follows the basic of human instincts, irrespective of their bearing on others, namely Gelsomina. Anthony Quinn gives the character a great ignorance, Zampano being, for the most part, oblivious to the impact his actions have, only wanting to be able to earn money to eat and drink wine, and sleep with women. It is not until Zampano and Gelsomina (Gelsomina having become Zampano's sidekick in his traveling show) take on a position as part of a circus in town, and Gelsomina meets an acrobat clown, credited in the film as Il Matto – The Fool. She falls for his happy and carefree nature, exampled when he teases Zampano whilst he is trying to do his show. Zampano soon despises the Fool, and becomes jealous of the friendship forming between Gelsomina and the clown. This is where Zampano begins to show real emotion, and although he doesn't deal with the situation in the most appropriate way, it is the beginning of his life experience that changes him forever.

      The film is gorgeous, with some memorable characters, namely Gelsomina. It doesn't end on a happy note, but you are still left satisfied with the story told, especially the lesson taught to Zampano, although it was all too late for him, and it is not certain that he learned from the experience. Masina is an absolute delight to watch, holding you captive with her face alone, beaming with love. The film is not for those looking for Hollywood drama and action, but for anyone who knows how it feels to be confused and in need of understanding about life's ways.
      helpful•48
      18
      • mattreviews
      • Jan 16, 2005

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • July 16, 1956 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • Italy
      • Language
        • Italian
      • Also known as
        • La Strada
      • Filming locations
        • Via Corinto, Rome, Lazio, Italy
      • Production company
        • Ponti-De Laurentiis Cinematografica
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Gross worldwide
        • $17,923
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 48 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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