Nights of Cabiria (1957)

A waifish prostitute wanders the streets of Rome looking for true love but finds only heartbreak.

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano (story)

Stars:

Giulietta Masina, François Périer, Franca Marzi

Won 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Giulietta Masina	...	Maria 'Cabiria' Ceccarelli
François Périer	...	Oscar D'Onofrio (as François Perier)
Franca Marzi	...	Wanda
Dorian Gray	...	Jessy
Aldo Silvani	...	The wizard
Ennio Girolami	...	Amleto, 'il magnaccia'
Mario Passante	...	Uncle of Amleto
Christian Tassou
Amedeo Nazzari	...	Alberto Lazzari

Storyline

Practising the world's oldest profession in the archaeological walk of Rome's Parco di Porta Capena, the trusting and stubbornly optimistic streetwalker, Cabiria, refuses to lose faith in love. After escaping death by the skin of her teeth, hurt, and momentarily disenchanted Cabiria continues to confront life with a mixture of naivety and arrogance, and one evening, she ventures into the elegant Via Veneto and gets picked up by the suave movie star, Alberto Lazzari. Now, once more, disappointment awaits, and as poor Cabiria preys to Virgin Mary for guidance and a blessing, the man of her prayers, Oscar D'Onofrio, barges into her life after a chance encounter at a vaudeville theatre. But do miracles happen?

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | rescue from drowning | italian woman | rome italy | rome | 

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Taglines:

From the star, producer and director of "La Strada"

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ranked number 87 non-English-speaking film in the critics' poll conducted by the BBC in 2018.

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Goofs

When the pilgrims pass Cabiria in the night there is a close up of the naked feet of the women, but on the following wide shot they are wearing shoes.

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Quotes

Giorgio: [in Italian]
[first lines]
Giorgio: Go over there.
Maria 'Cabiria' Ceccarelli: [in Italian] It's beautiful. Come on.

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Alternate Versions

Nights of Cabiria has been available until recently only in poor quality videos. The Rialto Pictures version (the one released in theaters in 1998), including the additional "Man with the Sack" sequence, beautifully restored picture and sound, and a brand new translation, is available only from The Criterion Collection (DVD) and Homevision Cinema (DVD). Update 2019: The film has been restored in 4K from the interpositive and is now available for the first time on home video in a Blu Ray version that is comparable to a good 35mm print.

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Connections

Referenced in Alex in Wonderland (1970)

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Soundtracks

Lla Ri' Lli Ra
Composed by Nino Rota
Lyrics by Enzo Bonagura

User Reviews

Stunning cinema

My friends went to see The Queen last night - I was too tired and decided to go back home. I put in the DVD and got into bed figuring I would watch an half hour or so and fall asleep. At the end of nearly 2 hours, I was sitting up straight, wide awake, awestruck at the genius in the direction and acting. This is cinema at its finest. I have seen La Strada before and I now rank Fellini's earlier work as among my all time favorites (along with Ozu.) Masina's tearful smile at the camera at the end is pure magic - so much dignity and hope captured in a single second. Her performance throughout the movie was a revelation - she got innocent hope and graceful charm to shine through her foul-mouthed vulgar acting character. I simultaneously cared and despaired for her - this movie pulled me in like no recent Hollywood movie has for a long long time.

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian Latin

Release Date:

16 October 1957 (France)

Also Known As:

Nights of Cabiria

Filming Locations:

Stazione Termini, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$38,988, 5 July 1998

Gross USA:

$752,045

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$755,319

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Les Films Marceau

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 117 min (restored)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1