IMDb > La strada (1954)
La strada
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

La strada (1954) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Federico Fellini (story) &
Tullio Pinelli (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for La strada on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 July 1956 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A carefree girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
Classic example where "less is always more". more (75 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Anthony Quinn ... Zampanò
Giulietta Masina ... Gelsomina

Richard Basehart ... Il Matto
Aldo Silvani ... Signor Giraffa
Marcella Rovere ... La Vedova
Livia Venturini ... La Suorina
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Road (USA) (literal English title)
more
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Anthony Quinn said in an interview a few years before his death that he originally accepted a deal that would have paid him a percentage of the profits this film generated instead of an upfront salary. When his agent found out about it, the agent changed the deal and insisted an upfront salary and no percentage. Quinn said that decision cost him several million dollars. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Gelsomina leaves Zampano, she walks by the road and sits down on the roadside near a small group of trees (about 4-5 m away). When the trio of musicians marches past, she appears to have moved back down the road as the height and appearance of the roadside behind her have changed and it takes the musicians, with Gelsomina following, some time to reach the point where the trees are. more
Quotes:
Zampanò: [reciting his act by rote before a crowd] Here we have a piece of chain that is a quarter of an inch thick. It is made of crude iron, stronger than steel. With the simple expansion of my pectoral muscles, or chest, that is, I'll break the hook.
[collecting money from the crowd]
Zampanò: Thank you, thank you. Now, to do this feat, I must fill myself up like a tire. If a blood vessel should break, I would spit blood. For instance, in Milan a man weighing 240 pounds lost his eyesight doing this trick. That is because the optical nerves take a beating, and once you lose your eyes, you are finished. If there's any delicate person in the audience, I would advise him to look away 'cause there could be blood.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Noé bárkája (2007) more

FAQ

Why does the Fool die after only a few punches from Zampanò?
more
16 out of 20 people found the following comment useful.
Classic example where "less is always more"., 12 May 2000
10/10
Author: Ivan R. Pohlwein from Miami, Florida USA

This is one of the most influential films of all time, it is the classical example, where "less" is always "more". The story is deceivingly simple and it feels at the beginning almost like a piece from "commedia del arte", however the master touch of Fellini's heart and vision talk to us directly through the canvas of Gesolmina's face (Giulietta Massina was his wife in real life). You don't need big words or a crafty developed script. This is like music, speaks directly it does not need translation even most non-Italian speakers find themselves more and more immersed in the visual aspects of this drama, it seems in many aspects surreal (I'll develop this point later) and distant but at the same time there is an underlying tension brought up by the close ups and the music revealing all those emotions much more close to our hearts than we are at first openly willing to admit. This is cinema at its best ladies and gentlemen. No special effects, no grandiose vistas, no colors, no extra help. The intimate nature of these characters feelings talk and paint more pictures than anything else can convey. Regarding the intimate relationship of Fellini and his movies there are already many of his little "secrets or eccentricities" that he imposes in all his films, they all have relevant hidden messages, such as the "white mysterious horse" and the haunting "trumpet melody" are just some of them. Those interested in Fellini's oeuvre should have the pleasure to uncover them with more of his viewing of what this all means, in same cases there is a definite reason in others he leaves it to your own devices and interpretation. He constantly teases us with contradictory emotions, sadness and laughter, complicated and simple, logical and absurd, brutish and angelical. Finally this film is like a great banquet, it seems to drag at he beginning and makes you think that is going to be too long and then at the end it seems too abrupt and you want it to continue, but most importantly leaves with us a savor that will linger in our minds for a long time, those who are sensitive to Fellini's vision will carry this for ever and hunger for more, those indifferent will dismiss it as an extravagant little piece and may be curios for another one. Once thing is for certain, nobody will ever forget Gesolmina's face.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (75 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for La strada (1954)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Richard Basehart jeffreyholmes
Top 20 Movies List ericsinla
Cast for an American remake richais
Annoying characters... Spoiler warning! Kubrick_Reincarnated
The best Fellini movie IkuharaKunihiko
Wretchedly sad film. commingled
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Le notti di Cabiria Umberto D. Cristo si è fermato a Eboli Novecento
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Drama section
IMDb Italy section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.