La strada (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Why did remastering not improve the legiblity of the subtitles?Never mind, it's still great.

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

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.

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. Classic film. One of Fellini's best. I have yet to watch the DVD I just ordered though. It will take some time though since I have a busy schedule.However...based on my past viewing experiences of this movie, it's always a cinematic joy. One of movie history's true masterpieces, not exaggerating either.Not to mention, I'm trying to help a business (Sun Moon & Stars) that is trying to build a strong reputation for itself by giving them a 5 star rating because the receipt I got in the mail envelope politely asked me to and I thought, sure, why not? I have nothing better to do. After all, I did receive the DVD rather promptly. In fact, I don't think I've clicked buy just yet (wink). Rather peculiar, wouldn't you agree?...but some say we live in the meta-verse, except legitimate scientists, of course. They're still living in the world of facts and solid evidence. Stupid Neil DeGrasse Tyson and that sarcastic German lady from YouTube who's always having a bad hair day and whose eyes are perhaps a tadbit too close togther, but that's her charm as well as her sharp wit.Proof as opposed to poof...where did it go? Scientists! They always ruin everything by being so darn tootin' pedantic. No magic here, they say. Just science.La Strada definitely is magic or rather brilliant filmmaking.Italian. 1950s. Black and white. Circus travel show. Ragtag misfits. Fellinesque. Humorous. Deeply sad....all at once. Buy it. Watch it. Not Jeanne Dielman, a 1970s Belgian movie (thank goodness, La Strada isn't this) about a widowed woman who cooks and cleans all day while scolding her son about reading at the dinner table and, occasionally, turning a trick or two with middle-aged men, a movie many so-called serious movie critics have called the best film ever made. (What have they been smoking?)Nope and I'm not talking Jordan Peele either. Widowed mother movie is a snooze fest at best. Although it appears she makes good soup. So, I'm guessing since she dedicates half the movie making it.Anway...thanks for reading this review. And, buy La Strada and enjoy it because if you like old foreign films, you'll certainly love this one.

Für Cineasten ein Muss, für andere eine Entdeckung wert

Tutti dovrebbero vedere questo film che fa parte della storia e della cultura italiana

Sous titre en anglais uniquement

This remarkable movie has not faded with age (I first saw it in ca. 1956). The story is set in a city where street musicians and entertainers are commonplace and often bizarre. Emotionally, watching it is a somewhat draining experience, but worthwhile because of the convincing characterization of the principle actors. Definitely a one-of-a-kind movie, not necessarily to everyone's taste. Go see it for yourself!