Filmed in Italy - where it happened!

When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò 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, the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

Cast & crew

Federico Fellini

Director

Giulietta Masina

Gelsomina

Anthony Quinn

Zampanò

Richard Basehart

Matto

Aldo Silvani

Mr. Giraffa

Marcella Rovere

Widow

L

Livia Venturini

Nun

Pietro Ceccarelli

Innkeeper (uncredited)

G

Giovanna Galli

Prostitute at Inn (uncredited)

G

Gustavo Giorgi

(uncredited)

Y

Yami Kamadeva

Prostitute (uncredited)

Mario Passante

Waiter (uncredited)

A

Anna Primula

Gelsomina's Mother (uncredited)

A

Alexandre Trannoy

Juggler (uncredited)

Goffredo Unger

Man Restraining Zampano (uncredited)

Nazzareno Zamperla

Man Restraining Zampano (uncredited)

Arnoldo Foà

Zampanò (voice) (uncredited)