La Strada

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La Strada

1956

1h 55m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina), a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto (Richard Basehart), the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

Critics Consensus

Giulietta Masina and Anthony Quinn's pitiable pair of outsiders provide a poignant contrast between gentleness and might in Federico Fellini's unforgettable parable.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/14/2022

Even if one rejects the concepts of this movie, its mood and the details of scenes stay with one; a year or two later, a gesture or a situation suddenly brings it all back.

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Newsweek Staff

Newsweek

09/14/2022

Anthony Quinn as the strong man and Richard Basehart as a derisive rival are excellent. As the girl, Giulietta Masina is extraordinarily touching and gives a performance hard to forget.

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Variety Staff

Variety

09/14/2022

Acting by Quinn and Basehart is tops, but Giulietta Masina, one of Italy's best performers, easily steals show with her clownish mimicry, a job which should finally earn her more consistent work in local pix.

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Bianca Garner

InSession Film

07/31/2024

If there’s one thing we can take away from the story of La Strada and the character of Gelsomina, it’s that behind every great showman there’s a great woman.

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Vernon Young

The Hudson Review

01/30/2024

Like any deeply felt and realized symbol, La Strada is at once nuclear and radiating; within its deceptively simple span, an eternal pattern and a prophecy are established.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

12/13/2023

8/10

It carries with it, in a sublime and sad way, Fellini's neorealist spirit. [Full review in Spanish]

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Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 14h

This is cinema, and it’s art. A beautiful film. Simple anecdote, yet deeply significant. Masina and Quinn deliver performances for the ages, backed by a powerful cast. The photography is stunning. Script and direction are top‑tier. A timeless classic that won’t leave anyone indifferent.

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing Jan 31

A Fellini classic with great performances by Masina and Quinn. A tragic love story that is unforgettable.

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Thomas S

@RT53929595 Aug 7

Giulietta Masina, avec ses mimiques de clown triste, incarne à la perfection la candeur et la douleur mêlées de Gelsomina. Pour moi, La Strada parle avant tout de la manière dont un seul acte peut marquer une vie entière — jusqu’au dernier souffle — même lorsqu’on l’a accompli en toute conscience. Impossible de ne pas penser à la dernière scène de la saison 3 de The White Lotus : ce moment terrible où l’on sacrifie la seule personne qui vous a offert de l’amour. Un film bouleversant sur la culpabilité, l’irréversibilité des choix et la solitude intérieure.

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Isaiah Y

@zayman2 Jul 24

One of Fellini's best films. Giulietta Masina was amazing, but this had to be Anthony Quinn's greatest performance of his career.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 7

Success in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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William B

@RT83652365 04/29/2025

Fellini never disappointed. What a great movie!

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Federico Fellini

Director

Anthony Quinn

Zampanò

Giulietta Masina

Gelsomina

Richard Basehart

Il 'Matto'-The 'Fool'

Aldo Silvani

Il Signor Giraffa-Mr Giraffe

Marcella Rovere

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Synopsis

When Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina), a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto (Richard Basehart), the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

Director: Federico Fellini
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, Carlo Ponti
Distributor: Trans Lux
Production Co: Ponti-De Laurentiis Cinematografica
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Runtime: 1h 55m