Nights Of Cabiria [VHS]

I'm sure, like many, I first set eyes on the then Mrs Fellini, Giuletta Masina, who stars as Cabiria, as the stray little clown in La Strada, who was sold to Anthony Quinn's cruel one-man performing act. I'm glad that I bought and viewed the two DVDs in this order.How the character developed in La Strada was extraordinarily compelling and at its conclusion, I was in distress and tears. I was also in tears at the end of Cabiria, for different reasons, of which I'll keep to myself, so as to not spoil for others.Cabiria, is a plucky little prostitute in a poor, run-down Rome area whose sassy lip and terrier like fight-back saves her bacon, many times. From an attempted drowning at the start, to being a distracting plaything for a film star who gets back with his mistress in front of Cabiria's eyes.There's always that fiery competition and catty dialogue one presumes street-girls the world over are forever rattling off. Bettering themselves, moving on, meeting Mr Right etc. Her entanglements are counterbalanced by that other Fellini (La Dolce Vita especially) fascination, the Catholic church. Cabiria isn't a fallen angel, just one that's stuck in a degrading and constricting 'profession', always at the mercy of someone else.Eventually, she believes she meets her Intended-to-be. The immense joy that radiates from that wide-eyed face of hers then; but at other times can send rods of acute sadness through you in seconds just by a held expression. Maybe, she's the original Meryl Streep, in that, even without dialogue, her face alone can express a whole scene. Direction from one's husband obviously helps.Really very good films generally don't get more than a 9/10 from me. There is always a sliver of room for improvement in 99.9 of films. To get a 10, it has to have a profound, personal effect on me. This did and whilst not having any idea how the film was going to end, my emotions went through every scenario - and back again.This is an absolute must for anybody and everybody, who has a TV (or PC, or Ipad, or whatever). I'm still bristling with feelings for it, some time after seeing this genuine masterpiece.

Cabiria, an irrepressible, fiercely independent sex worker who, as she moves through the sea of Rome’s humanity, through adversity and heartbreak, must rely on herself—and her own indomitable spirit—to stay standing. Winner of the best actress prize at Cannes for Masina and the Academy Award for best foreign-language film, Nights of Cabiria brought the early, neorealist-influenced phase of Fellini’s career to a transcendent close with its sublimely heartbreaking yet hopeful final image, which embodies, perhaps more than any other in the director’s body of work, the blend of the bitter and the sweet that define his vision of the world.

I would like a refund please as the film didn't work

The first Fellini movie I ever saw, just after it was release. The music is catchy and like all of Nino Rotas sound tracks, first class and unique. It's about a pathetic little Italian 'lady of the evening' and her adventures on the periphery of Rome. Giulietta Masina (Fellini's wife) appears in several of his films. She is excellent.

The message of this film is to enjoy life and be grateful, skirting a fine line between heartbreak and comedy in a way only Fellini can.

Beautiful emotional touching

5 stars if one is a Fellini fan. I watched his film 81/2 many times. Nights of Cabiria has familiar Fellini touches. If you're not familiar with Fellini, it's still highly watchable with a great story, but be prepared for a black and white work made in 1957. You'll be pleased to have watched it.

This film is another example of pure Fellini,the cast is composed of strange yet interesting characters intertwined in a series of situations which somehow gel to form the fine mosaic that is '50s Italy. Masina is at her best,funny,confused,angry,happy,sad...her facial expressions are a masterclass in character acting. I thoroughly recommend this film to anyone even remotely interested in European cinema. A must see.