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

Italian censorship visa #23742 delivered on 13 March 1957.

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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 in videos in the original version. The Rialto Pictures 1998 version, released in theaters in 1998, restores a scene showing a mystery man with a sack delivering food and blankets to people sheltered in holes. The 1998 version restored picture and sound, has a new translation, and is available from The Criterion Collection (DVD) and Homevision Cinema (DVD).

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Connections

References Funniest Show on Earth (1953)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Amazing Transformation

I almost turned this film off. I'm so glad I stayed with it. It's one of the best films I've seen. Cabiria, the street prostitute, is not sympathetic. She's rough, vulgar, not very attractive, a showoff, loud, proud, inelegant. I just didn't feel anything for her character at the beginning. But Fellini must have been reading my mind. He purposefully played it that way to draw the viewer in.

The streets of Rome are unforgiving and harsh for a prostitute. There are those who sleep in caves and in the archways. Cabiria braggingly says, "I've got my own house...here's one girl who's never slept under the arches. Well, maybe once. Twice maybe." By the end of the film I was completely hooked by her charm, desire, and hope. For hope is what keeps Cabiria going. A great film.

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