LaStrada

LaStrada (1954) is Fredrico Fellini's early masterwork that garnered him an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. It presents one of his great cinematic obsessions in the cinema and stars his wife Giulilietta Masin as the simple woman, Gelsomina, sold to the gruff Zampano (Anthony Quinn) to work for him in his strong man show. They form an uneasy alliance until the Fool (Richard Basehart) gives Gelsomina a different perspective on her relationship with Zampano and in life in general. However, his constant needling of Zampano leads to a tragic climax that has consequences for all involved. The film has the usual impressive black and white cinematography, but wins its audience with the performances and story.