La Strada

1954 • 1h 55m •

Drama

MOVIEVIBE Rating

★ 7.9/10

1,197 reviews

Your Rating

When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto, the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

"Filmed in Italy - where it happened!"

Top Billed Cast

Giulietta Masina

Gelsomina

Anthony Quinn

Zampanò

Richard Basehart

Matto

Aldo Silvani

Mr. Giraffa

Marcella Rovere

Widow

Livia Venturini

Nun

Pietro Ceccarelli

Innkeeper (uncredited)

Giovanna Galli

Prostitute at Inn (uncredited)

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

C CinemaSerf Verified TMDB Critic

2024-03-20

Anthony Quinn is nigh on perfect for the "Zampanò" role here. He is a travelling strongman who buys "Gelsomina" (Giulietta Masina) from her mother for a pretty paltry sum and some food. She's none-too-pleased with her new, nomadic, life and he is not exactly the ideal companion. In fact, he's a bit of a thug! She's no shrinking violet, though, and after some failed attempts at escape, determines that this is her new life and that she is going to make the best of things. Might she even end up enjoying this life? Enter the nimble and agile tight-rope walker rather unkindly referred to as "The F...