
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.

Giulietta Masina
Gelsomina

Anthony Quinn
Zampanò

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)

Freaks
Freaks

Wings of Desire
Wings of Desire

Breaking the Waves
Breaking the Waves

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

The 400 Blows
The 400 Blows

The Secret Life of Words
The Secret Life of Words

My Life Without Me
My Life Without Me

The Good German
The Good German

8 Mile
8 Mile

The Wages of Fear
The Wages of Fear

Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands