Ciociara, La (1960)

Director:

Vittorio De Sica

Writers:

Alberto Moravia (novel)
Cesare Zavattini (adaptation)

Release Date:

9 May 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

Suddenly...Love Becomes Lust...Innocence becomes shame...As two women are trapped by violent passion and unforgettable terror!

Plot:

Cesira and her 13-year-old daughter, Rosetta, flee from the allied bombs in Rome during the second world war...

Plot Keywords:

WWII In Italy | Cult Favorite | Post WWII | Post War Italy | Carabinieri

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Sophia Loren	...	Cesira
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Michele Di Libero (as Jean Paul Belmondo)
Eleonora Brown	...	Rosetta
Carlo Ninchi	...	Filippo, il padre di Michele
Andrea Checchi	...	Un fascista
Pupella Maggio	...	Una contadina
Emma Baron	...	Maria
Bruna Cealti	...	Una sfollata
Antonella Della Porta	...	La madre impazzita
Mario Frera
Franco Balducci	...	Il tedesco nel pagliaio
Luciana Cortellesi
Curt Lowens
Tony Calio		(as Tony Caliò)
Remo Galavotti

Also Known As:

Two Women (UK) (USA)
Paysanne aux pieds nus (France)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

Italian | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (uncut) (re-rating on appeal) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 (cut) (original rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Itri, Latina, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Compagnia Cinematografica Champion

Trivia:

It has been said that Anna Magnani was originally cast in the role of Cesira, but when she was unable commit to the film due to illness, it was Magnani herself who suggested Sophia Loren for the role, suggesting to director Vittorio De Sica that if Loren (who was 25 years old at the time) would not mind playing a mother with an adolescent daughter, then the role should go to her.

Quotes:

Cesira: Do you know what they have done those "heroes" that you command? Do you know what your great soldiers have done in a holy church under the eyes of the madonna? Do you know?
American Soldier: Peace, peace.
Cesira: Yes, peace, beautful peace! You ruined my little daughter forever! Now she's worse than dead. No, I'm not mad, I'm not mad! Look at her! And tell me if I am mad! Rotten crazy bastards!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Breach (2007)

another great De Sica film

very sad film by vittorio de sica (famed director of "the bicycle thief.") the first two thirds of the film move slowly, but it's still very engrossing. the final third of the film is pure cinematic tragedy. sophia loren won the oscar for best performance for a lead actress in this movie, and i beleive that she dearly deserved it. prior to seeing "two women" i had no idea what a terrific actress she was. her role as the mother desperately trying to shield her daughter from the horrors of the world is one of the finest that i have ever seen. this is a truly heartbreaking and beautiful film.