La ciociara (1960)

 

La ciociara (1960)

'La ciociara' (1960), directed by the legendary "Vittorio De Sica", is one of the most powerful Italian war dramas ever made. Based on the novel by "Alberto Moravia", the film stars "Sophia Loren" in one of her greatest performances, portraying a mother struggling to protect her young daughter during the final days of World War II in Italy. The film is internationally known by its English title, "Two Women", but its emotional depth and cinematic brilliance remain rooted in its original Italian identity.

Plot Summary

Set in wartime Italy in 1943–1944, 'La ciociara' follows "Cesira", a widowed Roman shopkeeper, who decides to escape the bombing of the city by taking her 13-year-old daughter "Rosetta" to the rural region of Ciociaria, hoping to find peace and safety.

Life in the countryside is harsh but manageable until the warfront shifts. As they attempt to return home after the liberation, the mother and daughter face a traumatic event that changes their lives forever. Their heartbreaking struggle to survive reveals the devastating impact of war not just on nations—but on families, innocence and human dignity.

Movie Details

Title: La ciociara

English Title: Two Women

Release Year: 1960

Genre: Drama / War

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Producers: Carlo Ponti, Joseph E. Levine

Writer: Cesare Zavattini (screenplay), based on Alberto Moravia’s novel

Main Cast:

- Sophia Loren as Cesira

- Eleonora Brown as Rosetta

- Jean-Paul Belmondo as Michele

- Raf Vallone

- Runtime: 100 minutes

- Country: Italy

- Language: Italian

- Awards: Academy Award for Best Actress (Sophia Loren) – the first Oscar-winning performance in a foreign-language film.

Movie Review

'La ciociara' stands as one of the most emotionally powerful Italian films ever created. Vittorio De Sica’s direction blends neorealism with intense personal storytelling, capturing the brutal realities of war through the eyes of two ordinary women.

Sophia Loren delivers a raw, unforgettable performance filled with strength, vulnerability and maternal love. Her portrayal earned her the "Academy Award", cementing the film’s place in cinema history. The cinematography, dialogue and realistic environment all contribute to a film that is both heartbreaking and unforgettable.

Though tragic, 'La ciociara' is also a story of resilience, courage and the enduring bond between mother and daughter.

'La ciociara' (1960) remains a landmark of Italian cinema and one of the finest war dramas ever filmed. Its powerful storytelling, superb acting and emotional intensity make it an essential classic for movie lovers. Whether viewed as 'La ciociara' or 'Two Women', the film’s impact is timeless.