In WWII Italy, a widow and her lonely daughter seek distance between themselves and the horrors of war.In WWII Italy, a widow and her lonely daughter seek distance between themselves and the horrors of war.In WWII Italy, a widow and her lonely daughter seek distance between themselves and the horrors of war.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 11 wins & 3 nominations total
Jean-Paul Belmondo
- Michele Di Libero
- (as Jean Paul Belmondo)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSophia Loren claims that Director Vittorio De Sica, so caught up in the story, regularly cried on the set when filming particularly emotional scenes.
- GoofsNear the beginning, Cesira and Rosetta choose to walk rather than wait aboard their stranded train. However, they set off in the opposite direction to the train's destination.
- Quotes
[subtitled version]
English Soldier: There are lots of good things in Italy.
Michele Di Libero: You don't know Italy.
English Soldier: Oh, we know Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo.
Michele Di Libero: They are dead.
- ConnectionsEdited into Al Centro del cinema (2015)
Featured review
I confess that this film was showing late one night on TCM and initially the idea of a war film was not an appealing prospect at one o'clock in the morning.
That being said,I realized how much we lose by prejudging film, and actors by their more recent performances. As Sophia Loren was popular before my time, I remember her from fluff and spy movies such as "Arabesque" with Gregory Peck. A forgettable film, at most. Not so for "Two Women".
The performance of her innocent daughter Rosetta, is also marked and memorable. Refugees from the bombing of Rome during World War II, Sophia Loren as Cesira, and her daughter are fleeing the city, come across relatives in the country, and encounter a harrowing fate.
The feel of the film is palpable and stark, the scene and the shadows of the men as they come across these two women in the effigy of a church, is ominous and effective. The expressions and body language of Loren are heart-rending and sorrowful, as we see her realize what has become of her daughter, what has become of their world. The scene I will remember most is where she is finally rescued, her daughter begins to sing, recovering from the attack. Cesira (Loren) turns her face outward, toward the window, ravaged and ruined, yet finding some strength to continue on. We see a multitude of emotions cross her face without uttering one word.
Truly a film not to be missed for Sophia Loren's performance alone. 9/10.
That being said,I realized how much we lose by prejudging film, and actors by their more recent performances. As Sophia Loren was popular before my time, I remember her from fluff and spy movies such as "Arabesque" with Gregory Peck. A forgettable film, at most. Not so for "Two Women".
The performance of her innocent daughter Rosetta, is also marked and memorable. Refugees from the bombing of Rome during World War II, Sophia Loren as Cesira, and her daughter are fleeing the city, come across relatives in the country, and encounter a harrowing fate.
The feel of the film is palpable and stark, the scene and the shadows of the men as they come across these two women in the effigy of a church, is ominous and effective. The expressions and body language of Loren are heart-rending and sorrowful, as we see her realize what has become of her daughter, what has become of their world. The scene I will remember most is where she is finally rescued, her daughter begins to sing, recovering from the attack. Cesira (Loren) turns her face outward, toward the window, ravaged and ruined, yet finding some strength to continue on. We see a multitude of emotions cross her face without uttering one word.
Truly a film not to be missed for Sophia Loren's performance alone. 9/10.
- MarieGabrielle
- Jun 11, 2008
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- ...und dennoch leben sie
- Filming locations
- Chiesa San Francesco d'Assisi, Fondi, Lazio, Italy(interiors: rape scene in the church)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $14,062
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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