La Strada (1954) - Federico Fellini [Digitally Restored and Remastered] HD DVD

La Strada - Italian existentialism a la Ibsen.Federico Fellini's "La Strada", the way I look at it, is not about the character and protagonista Gelsomina, beautifully played by Giulietta Massina, as much as it is about Zampanó (Anthony Quinn).Federico Fellini asks a fundamental question: is Gelsomina's literally self-annihilating love enough to save the brute Zampanó who never loved anybody but himself? Even in the closing scene, senselessly drunk on the beach at sunrise, Zampanó cries out: "I need nobody!", whereupon the sun rises. Light floods the scene, is it the rays of love, the light of hope, we don't know.Fellini, well versed in classic existentialism; literature, theater and drama, e.g. in Ibsen, Kierkegaard, Strindberg, and others, refers here, I think, to the final scene in Henrik Ibsen's "Peer Gynt". Peer's lifelong self-love is juxtaposed against Solveig's lifelong and unselfish love for Peer who finally sees, but maybe still does not fully understand. Thus, when the last scene fades out, or rather: the curtain falls for the last time, Zampanó's fate and Peer's is still pending decision, namely: Zampanó's (or Peer's) own decision".I strongly recommend this film, it is arguably (one of) the best film(s) ever.

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. His act is to wrap himself in a chain and, expanding his chest, burst the iron fastening hook. He too is a damaged person, an alcoholic full of rage and clueless about how to get through life except by force and threat. While he is a callous brute with too much to prove, he also comes across as a pathetically lonely character. Though he mistreats his slave helper, he also cares for her, perhaps even loving her but unable to do anything to win her love except via his control,This is a drama masterpiece on a human scale, typical of Italian neo-realism. It shows the emergence of Fellini's talent as a storyteller.Warmly recommended.

It is one of the greatest films. Spare, to the point, beautiful, sad, realistic, sympathetic, socially perceptive, warm

So this was Fellini’s great monument! Well cast, well presented, yes, but Christ what a downer. I recently saw Bicycle Thieves. If these two films set the tone for Italian cinema of the period, then I don’t wish to see any more . In my view, a great film should leave the spectator feeling exalted and convinced of the value of life, not emotionally wrecked with no hope of consolation. La Strada is a monument to nihilism and a bit coy to boot. To hell with it.

La Strada is a simple but beautifully crafted story that transcends itself to encompass the big themes in life; love, hope, loneliness, regret, loss, dreams and so much more. Add to that three magnificent performances from Masina, Quinn and Basehart and you have a movie that stays with you. A movie that bears repeated viewing. In short, one of the great movies and Fellini's finest moment

One of the best films from the fifties, a true masterpiece. Won the first Oscar for the Foreign Language Film in 1957. Even when I saw it as a teenager at the premiere, it made a big impression on me. The main theme, composed by the great Nino Rota, is unforgettable. The A/V presentation of this Blu ray is very good.

Great movie from one of the top directors. Anthony Quinn as you neve saw it before or after.

It's a great great movie, But the picture wasn't as sharp as it could have been. I have seen a sharper version.