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La Strada

Play trailer Poster for La Strada 1956 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 78 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.
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La Strada

La Strada

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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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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 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. Go to Full Review Newsweek Staff Newsweek Sep 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. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Sep 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. Go to Full Review Vernon Young The Hudson Review Jan 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. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Dec 13, 2023
8/10
It carries with it, in a sublime and sad way, Fellini's neorealist spirit. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review André Bazin Esprit Oct 4, 2022
The vitality of the Italian cinema is confirmed for us once again by this wonderful film of Federico Fellini's. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joaquin U @Joaquin1 May 25, 2026 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. See more Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing Jan 31, 2026 A Fellini classic with great performances by Masina and Quinn. A tragic love story that is unforgettable. See more Thomas S @RT53929595 Aug 7, 2025 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. See more Isaiah Y @zayman2 Jul 24, 2025 One of Fellini's best films. Giulietta Masina was amazing, but this had to be Anthony Quinn's greatest performance of his career. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 7, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more William B @RT83652365 Apr 29, 2025 Fellini never disappointed. What a great movie! See more Read all reviews
La Strada

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Cast & Crew

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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

La Vedova-The Widow

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La Strada

La Strada (1954) View more photos

Movie Info

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
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