During WWII, Sandro Ademari (Massimo Girotti), head of a group of Italian partisans, to escape from a Nazi catch, hides himself by a farm. Here he knows Luisa (Lea Padovani) and soon the two married and have a baby. After the war, Sandro, now a solicitor, succeeded also to be elected in Rome's parliament. Here he starts an extramarital affair with Germana (Patricia Neal). Sandro, now deep involved with Germana, tries all the way to leave Luisa (divorce wasn't legal during the '50s in Italy). But Luisa is determined to save her marriage and arrives in Rome to discuss with the two. The tragedy is behind the corner.
Acting
Patricia Neal's ice-queen glamour versus Lea Padovani's volcanic despair.
Production
Rome's post-war elegance as character, all marble and moral rot.
Director
Giovanni Paolucci
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released when Italian divorce was still illegal; the film's desperation for escape mirrored national reality.
Patricia Neal filmed this during her European exile after her affair with Gary Cooper imploded—art imitating life's mess.
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