Judging by the mostly ecstatic reviews it would appear that this film of Alberto Lattuarda has had quite an emotional impact and understandably so. It has been dismissed by critics as laughable melodrama. There are oodles of laughable melos out there but they are not all as well made and well played as this one.
Having scored a hit three years earlier with 'Bitter Rice' it was obviously felt that there was more mileage to be had from the trio of Raf Vallone, Vittorio Gassman and Silvana Mangano. Vallone is again the honourable one, Gassman the rat and Silvana the meat in the sandwich. What can one say of La Mangano? An imperious, majestic and enigmatic artiste of great emotional power and depth. The highlight of the film for many will be Trovajoli's 'El Negro Zumbon' which she performs in a nightclub before becoming a nun(yes, it's that kind of film!) She is able to utilise her early training as a dancer but she lip-syncs to the voice of Flo Sandons whose singing career certainly benefited.
As Sister Anna she is obliged to make a tough moral choice and her last line 'I have not lost' spoken to the strains of Nino Rota's lush score, should have you reaching for the Kleenex. At least I sincerely hope so!
