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 | Carabinieri | Gang Rape | Rome | Neorealism

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

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

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

English Soldier: There are lots of good things in Italy.
Michele Di Libero: You don't know Italy.
English Soldier: Oh, we know Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo.
Michele Di Libero: They are dead.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Breach (2007)

Gut-wrenching performance by leads

I acquired this movie quite a few years a go and only just had my first viewing and was frankly astonished at Sophia's performance. It is a multi-layered rich performance: her anger at men, her absolute devotion to her daughter, the sadness and acceptance at being a widow of a passionless marriage to a much older man, her confusion at awakening feelings of sensuality, her politicization. The last 30 minutes of this movie are heartbreaking, her horror, helplessness and numbness at what has happened to her daughter are some of the most powerful moments I have seen on film. A well deserved Oscar and Sophia, you are right up there with the gifted actors of the past century! 10 out of 10.