Federico Fellini's LA STRADA (1954) follows a circus performer, the strongman Zampano (Anthony Quinn), and his assistant Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina), whom he buys from her poor widowed mother. Together they embark on a journey and end up joining an itinerant circus. There, Gelsomina meets a high-wire artist known as the “Fool.” The two develop feelings for each other, but Zampano becomes enraged and filled with jealousy. LA STRADA is considered to be the film where Fellini developed his signature style that would continue to grow and lead to his future masterpieces. It is here that Fellini first introduced audiences to his tragic hero, one who cannot accept the love of another, turning away from the warmth and safety they provide to instead face the world alone.
The 4K restoration of LA STRADA was completed using a 35mm dupe negative preserved by Beta Film GmbH.
Restored by the Criterion Collection and The Film Foundation at Cineteca di Bologna's L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory. Restoration funding provided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Introduction by Martin Scorsese
Alice Rohrwacher Interview
Gian Luca Farinelli Interview
Giulietta Masina as Gelsomina in LA STRADA
Video Extras
Federico Fellini receiving an Honorary Academy Award® from Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni at the 65th Annual Academy Awards® in 1993. Watch on YouTube.
LA STRADA wins Foreign Language Film at the 1957 Oscars. Watch on YouTube.
Laura Dern discusses watching LA STRADA with her mother Diane Ladd and their mutual love of Giulietta Masina’s performance while presenting Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Oscars. Watch on YouTube.
David Lynch discusses his first and last meeting with Federico Fellini. You can watch a clip on YouTube.
Joanna Hogg discusses her love of LA STRADA in the Criterion Collection Closet. Watch on the Criterion Collection Website.
John Sayles discusses his love of LA STRADA in the Criterion Collection Closet. Watch on the Criterion Collection Website.
Peter Sarsgaard discusses his love of LA STRADA in the Criterion Collection Closet. Watch on the Criterion Collection Website.
Watch the trailer for FELLINI: I'M A BORN LIAR on YouTube.
Anthony Quinn as Zampanò and Giulietta Masina as Gelsomina in LA STRADA
Reading List (Books)
Fellini on Fellini, Federico Fellini, Trans. Isabel Quigley, 1976
La Strada: Federico Fellini, Director. Eds. Peter Bondanella and Manuela Gieri, 1987
Fellini's Early Screenplays, Federico Fellini, 1971
Federico Fellini: Essays in Criticism, Peter Bondanella, 1978
Federico Fellini – The Complete Films, Christopher Wiegand, 2003
Masters of Cinema: Federico Fellini, Angel Quintana, 2011
Reading List (Online)
Martin Scorsese writing on Federico Fellini and the lost magic of cinema in Harpers.
An extensive Federico Fellini overview is available on Senses of Cinema.
All the filmmakers and critics that voted for LA STRADA in Sight and Sound's 2012 poll of "The Greatest Films of All Time." Read at Sight and Sound.
Listening to Fellini: Music and Meaning in Black and White, M. Thomas Van Order, 1961. Read at Archive.org.
"Screen: A Truthful Italian Journey; La Strada Is Tender, Realistic Parable" A.h. Weiler's 1956 New York Times review.
Christina Newland writes about LA STRADA for The Criterion Collection.
Richard Basehart as The Fool and Director Federico Fellini on the set of LA STRADA
Criterion Collection Top 10 Lists Featuring LA STRADA
Ali Abbasi
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/348-ali-abbasi-s-top-10
Jane Campion
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/28-jane-campion-s-top-10
Jonas Carpignano
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/337-jonas-carpignano-s-top-10
Iron and Wine
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/85-iron-and-wine-s-top-10
Mary Ellen Mark
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/221-mary-ellen-mark-s-top-10
D.A. Pennebaker
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/48-d-a-pennebaker-s-top-10
Tom Schnabel
https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/52-tom-schnabel-s-top-10
Anthony Quinn as Zampanò in LA STRADA
The Film Foundation on Letterboxd
Learn more about the filmographies of some of the cast and crew of LA STRADA
Starring Giulietta Masina
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/starring-giulietta-masina/
Starring Anthony Quinn
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/starring-anthony-quinn/
Starring Richard Basehart
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/starring-richard-basehart/
Music By Nino Rota
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/music-by-nino-rota/
Shot by Otello Martelli
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/shot-by-otello-martelli/
Edited by Leo Catozzo
https://letterboxd.com/tff/list/edited-by-leo-catozzo/
Federico Fellini's 10 Favorite Films:
1. The Circus (1928) / City Lights (1931) / Monsieur Verdoux (1947) – Director, Charlie Chaplin.
2. Any Marx Brothers or Laurel and Hardy
3. Stagecoach – John Ford, 1939.
4. Rashomon – Akira Kurosawa, 1950.
5. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie – Luis Bunuel, 1972.
6. 2001: A Space Odyssey – Stanley Kubrick, 1968.
7. Paisan – Roberto Rossellini, 1946.
8. The Birds – Alfred Hitchcock, 1963.
9. Wild Strawberries – Ingmar Bergman, 1957.
10. 8½ – Federico Fellini, 1963.
Presented in The Film Foundation Restoration Screening Room in June 2022
in partnership with:
Cineteca di Bologna, Beta Film, Janus Films, The Criterion Collection, and Park Circus
