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One of Federico Fellini's greatest films, some critics say his masterpiece, made in 1954 in Black & White and presented in this release with an enclosed 16 page booklet which includes interviews with both Fellini and his wife and the film's co-star; Giulietta Masina (Juliet of the Spirits; Ginger & Fred).
The story is very simple; a carefree urchin-like young girl, Gelsomina (Masina) is sold to a brutish travelling strongman, Zampano (Anthony Quinn - Requiem for a Heavyweight; Guns of Navarone; Zorba the Greek; The Greek Tycoon) who entertains the village crowds by breaking a chain around his chest.
They travel from place to place, she playing a drum roll as part of the show, he abusing her both physically and emotionally, until the fateful day when they join up with a travelling circus and become acaquainted with Il Matto (Richard Basehart - Decision before Dawn; Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea; Chato's Land).
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Federico Fellini had a firm belief that to truly understand what was at the deep core of the Christian faith, then one also had to know the importance that love towards your fellow human beings played in that religion. He felt this was so important that all his films revolved around this fundamental belief. It is a belief I share, for without love we are lost souls. "La Strada" is a film that showcases his beliefs and much much more. The other virtues of charity, grace, devotion and salvation also come under the microscope.
The story concerns a young girl Gelsomina, played by Giulietta Masina who is sold by her poverty stricken mother into virtual bondage to Zampano a circus strongman, played by Anthony Quinn. We then follow her travels with Zampano on the road. Zampano is a brutish insensitive bully with no redeeming features. He is happy to steal from and assault people with little or no provocation. Much of his time is spent drinking and in the pursuit of any women that will fall for his dubious charms. But somehow the simple minded Gelsomina comes to love him despite the cruel way in which she is treated. Her innocence and optimism is never broken by Zampano. On the way she meets a circus acrobat played by Richard Basehart who changes her outlook on life. Events lead to an inevitable tragic finale.
Fellini wrote the role of Gelsomina for his actress wife Masina. It was certainly a juicy role which she made the most of and steals the acting honours, which is quite an achievement given the performances of Quinn and Basehart who were very good indeed. Masina's facial expressions and her body movements are certainly reminiscent of the silent comedians as has been pointed out in the past. Her face exudes the childlike innocence of that silent great Harry Langdon, and her movement echoes the grace of Charlie Chaplin. Fellini once worked in an itinerant circus troup so he had a good knowledge of his subject. The film is a sort of reworking of Beauty and the Beast. "Only she could have loved him" is a recurring line.
The films ending beside the sea that Gelsomina loved is one of cinemas most heart wrenching endings. So very sad and so very tragic. Through the searing pain of loss in a brutish thug we begin to see the crystalline beauty that enfolds true love. The road to understanding can be a long and painful one at times but the hope is always there. When all else is gone the hope remains. If we do not have this we have nothing to hold onto. "La Strada" asks awkward questions which can be disturbing. But it is one that cannot be denied its place amongst the worlds great films.
The story concerns a young girl Gelsomina, played by Giulietta Masina who is sold by her poverty stricken mother into virtual bondage to Zampano a circus strongman, played by Anthony Quinn. We then follow her travels with Zampano on the road. Zampano is a brutish insensitive bully with no redeeming features. He is happy to steal from and assault people with little or no provocation. Much of his time is spent drinking and in the pursuit of any women that will fall for his dubious charms. But somehow the simple minded Gelsomina comes to love him despite the cruel way in which she is treated. Her innocence and optimism is never broken by Zampano. On the way she meets a circus acrobat played by Richard Basehart who changes her outlook on life. Events lead to an inevitable tragic finale.
Fellini wrote the role of Gelsomina for his actress wife Masina. It was certainly a juicy role which she made the most of and steals the acting honours, which is quite an achievement given the performances of Quinn and Basehart who were very good indeed. Masina's facial expressions and her body movements are certainly reminiscent of the silent comedians as has been pointed out in the past. Her face exudes the childlike innocence of that silent great Harry Langdon, and her movement echoes the grace of Charlie Chaplin. Fellini once worked in an itinerant circus troup so he had a good knowledge of his subject. The film is a sort of reworking of Beauty and the Beast. "Only she could have loved him" is a recurring line.
The films ending beside the sea that Gelsomina loved is one of cinemas most heart wrenching endings. So very sad and so very tragic. Through the searing pain of loss in a brutish thug we begin to see the crystalline beauty that enfolds true love. The road to understanding can be a long and painful one at times but the hope is always there. When all else is gone the hope remains. If we do not have this we have nothing to hold onto. "La Strada" asks awkward questions which can be disturbing. But it is one that cannot be denied its place amongst the worlds great films.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The sweetest story ever, love brought to its mere essence, I was fascinated by all the characters' interpretation. Giulietta Masina - gelsomina - acts superbly.
Soundtrack is also adequately matching the whole environment.
Strongly recommended.
Soundtrack is also adequately matching the whole environment.
Strongly recommended.
20 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
La strada is a beautifully crafted film, the acting might seem a bit contrived but this more to do with the characters rather than any lack of ability. It's about a circus strong man (Anthony Quinn) who takes a clownish girl (Giulietta Massina) on the road with him to help with his acts. An extremely odd 'Beauty and the Beast'esque love affair unfolds but this is anything but romantic, the first half is principally comedy but the film moves to tragedy for its second. Its very emotive and a great tale.
Unfortunately there are a few aspects that will alienate some viewers. It's Italian, and many people aren't too keen on subtitles; it's in black and white and although it is easily the most accessible of Fellini's films, its no hollywood rom-com. Many will find it dated, but if you give it a bit of time, then there is a hell of a lot to get out of it. Far more than the vast majority of modern films. So, if you're into this kind of thing, you should certainly enjoy it, and if you're not then this is a very good one to start on!
Unfortunately there are a few aspects that will alienate some viewers. It's Italian, and many people aren't too keen on subtitles; it's in black and white and although it is easily the most accessible of Fellini's films, its no hollywood rom-com. Many will find it dated, but if you give it a bit of time, then there is a hell of a lot to get out of it. Far more than the vast majority of modern films. So, if you're into this kind of thing, you should certainly enjoy it, and if you're not then this is a very good one to start on!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
poignant and unusual story of post-war Italians trying to live
This is a vivid film about a damaged young lady who is essentially sold like a slave to a wandering carney performer, played by Anthony Quinn. Read more
Published 9 months ago by rob crawford
My old mum could bust that chain ya big softie!
I was always told that Antony Quinn wasn't much of an actor and Richard Basehart was, less than 15 years later, the old bloke who was admiral in the Voyage to the Bottom of the... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mario
A neo-realist road movie
Nino Rota's melody haunts this film to such an extent that the last scene left me sobbing. Fellini certainly yanked my heart strings with this neo-realist tale of the fate of... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Room For A View
La Strada - a masterpiece
A brilliant film with interesting supplementary booklet and also a crticial commentary section on the CD by the author of a biography of Fellini.
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by Martin B
Deeply Moving Drama
This Federico Fellini movie about a couple of traveling performers never fails to make me cry. A simple minded young woman is forced to stay and work with a cruel ex-circus strong... Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2008 by JEY
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