Adapted by blacklisted writer Ben Barzman from Pietro di Donato's 1939 novel and shot entirely in the UK (with the exception of the opening credits sequence) in 1949, after expatriate director Edward Dmytryk -- one of the Hollywood Ten, who later named names in hopes of salvaging his US career -- was blacklisted by HUAC, this clear-eyed tale of Italian immigrant life in 1920s New York remains under-seen and underappreciated decades after its truncated theatrical release.
Italian-American bricklayer Geremio (the prolific, Chicago-born Sam Wanamaker, yet another HUAC casualty, in his second film role) marries a sheltered girl from the old country, Annunziata...
Released:
1949
Rated:
NR
Length:
120 mins