Plot
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.
Trailer
Cast
Anthony Quinn
Zampanò
Giulietta Masina
Gelsomina
Richard Basehart
Il 'Matto'
Aldo Silvani
Il Signor Giraffa
Marcella Rovere
La Vedova
Livia Venturini
La Suorina
Pietro Ceccarelli
Innkeeper (uncredited)
Giovanna Galli
Prostitute at the Inn (uncredited)
Gustavo Giorgi
(uncredited)
Yami Kamadeva
Prostitute (uncredited)
Mario Passante
Waiter (uncredited)
Anna Primula
Gelsomina's Mother (uncredited)
Alexandre Trannoy
Juggler (uncredited)
Goffredo Unger
Man Restraining Zampano from Attacking (uncredited)
Nazzareno Zamperla
Man Restraining Zampano from Attacking (uncredited)