The Bottom Line
"La Terra trema" captures the theme of the exploitation of the weak by the strong better than any film I know. The images in this movie are unforgettable, and I give it my highest recommendation.
Pros
- Emotionally engaging story told in operatic style
- Lyrical cinematography
- Strong sense of time and place
Cons
- Stately pace may be too slow for some
- Some find voice-over narration heavy-handed
- DVD provides no bonus materials
Description
- DVD containing great neorealist Italian film "La Terra trema" (1948)
- Movie directed by legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconti
- Shot in coastal town of Acitrezza, Sicily, with all roles played by local residents
Guide Review - "La Terra trema" DVD
"La Terra trema" tells the tale of a hard-working Sicilian family named Valastro. The Valastros work long hours as fishermen, but they barely eke out a living due to exploitation by wholesalers and boat owners. In an effort to escape the system, the Valastros borrow money and go into business for themselves, but the results are tragic. "La Terra trema" captures the theme of the exploitation of the weak by the strong better than any film I know. I love the location shooting with locals playing all the roles, the lyrical cinematography, and the operatic storytelling, which combine to give the movie a stylized, poetic feel. I think some of the images in the film are unforgettable, and I give it my highest recommendation.
