La Terra Trema
1948
An example of the neo-realism school of Italian cinema, this is the story of a Sicilian fisherman whose toils are exploited by the men of the fish market. Highly influential Italian director Luchino Visconti;s second film, LA TERRA TREMA is a powerful drama that integrates real Sicilian locals into the cast. Read more
| Starring | Luchino Visconti |
|---|---|
| Director | Luchino Visconti |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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La Terra Trema
An example of the neo-realism school of Italian cinema, this is the story of a Sicilian fisherman whose toils are exploited by the men of the fish market. Highly influential Italian director Luchino Visconti;s second film, LA TERRA TREMA is a powerful drama that integrates real Sicilian locals into the cast.
| Starring | Luchino Visconti |
|---|---|
| Director | Luchino Visconti |
| Studio | BFI VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 33 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Italian, Sicilian |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 05 May 2003 Production year: 1948 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Inspired by a 19th-century novel by Giovanni Verga and intended as the first instalment of a trilogy on the exploitation of Sicilian labour (the other parts were to have focused on farmers and miners), this is much more of a neorealist document than Luchino Visconti's previous picture, Ossessione. Shooting without a script and using only non-professionals, he explores the trials of the fishermen of Aci Trezza, as they are fleeced by worldly wholesalers and middlemen. Yet, despite the fact that the film was partially funded by the Communist Party, it still has an operatic realism, thanks to Visconti's rhythmic editing of Graziati Aldo's meticulously composed vistas.
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Seriously intended, carefully composed semi-documentary stressing the economic problems of the simple life. A commercial disaster: even the Italians couldn't understand the accents of the local actors.
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Most helpful member's review
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9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
The poor fisher folk of Aci Trezza
This is one of the best films on a Marxist theme. It takes the single linear story of a Scicilian fisher family and their attempts to break the stranglehold of the fish wholesalers and the low prices obtained for their catches from this cartel. I don't want to spoil the story, suffice to say that using non-professional actors and the real settings Visconti points the way for these fishermen to take control of their own destiny through co-operative initiatives to break the cartel. The action moves slowly and seems to cast an almost hypnotic spell on the viewer. The commentary on the action may get in the way for some but is routine in drama documentaries that have become staple fare on our television screens. Compared to most of these productions this neo-realist classic stands up very well.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Scritti politti….but no cultural hegemony here.
Discussions as to the purism of the Marxist theme of this film are largely misplaced - given that the Italian film industry suffered under the establishment of the Direzione Generale per le Cinematografia not ten years before Visconti filmed in Sicily.
Whilst the poor fisherman’s recourse is self employed entrepreneurship - there is not a ‘white telephone’ in sight….and this stands as huge testament to this son of Savoy. The film underpins the essentially peasant nature of Italian society, it is wonderful historically, but also totally engaging from a narrative point of view. Although a long film, it is hugely rewarding giving a real sense and smell of the times. -
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An example of the neo-realism school of Italian cinema, this is the story of a Sicilian fisherman whose toils are exploited by the men of the fish market. Highly influential Italian director Luchino ... -