La Terra Trema
A Sicilian fishing family challenges a predatory wholesale system, only to confront the crushing force of poverty, nature, and social isolation.
Overview
A gripping tale of struggle and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- austere
- melancholic
- harrowing
- serious film night
- arthouse viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and formally distinctive example of Italian neorealism, praised for its social realism and political sympathy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses Sicilian residents, local dialect, and documentary-like attention to fishermen's labor and poverty.
Fish wholesalers control the fishermen's livelihood and profit from their dependence.
The fishing family's plan to become independent is threatened by debt, weather, and an unforgiving market.
The Sicilian sea, boats, harbor, and fishing routines function as persistent material pressures in the drama.
Films like La Terra Trema, and why
Bicycle Thieves
shared italian neorealist realism, working-class hardship, and collective social critique
Umberto D.
shared italian neorealist style, economic desperation, and compassionate focus on marginalized laborers
The Silence of the Sea
shared austere social realism, rural poverty, and institutional exploitation
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
shared visually grounded drama, communal struggle, and political critique of economic inequality
Movie Details
- Director
- Luchino Visconti
- Release Date
- 1949-12-03
- Runtime
- 160 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (178)
Cast
- Antonio Arcidiacono
- Giuseppe Arcidiacono
- Venera Bonaccorso
- Nicola Castorino
- Rosa Catalano
- Rosa Costanzo
- Alfio Fichera
- Carmela Fichera
- Rosario Galvagno
- Agnese Giammona
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is La Terra Trema about?
- A Sicilian fishing family challenges a predatory wholesale system, only to confront the crushing force of poverty, nature, and social isolation.
- What is La Terra Trema like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of La Terra Trema as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is La Terra Trema violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in La Terra Trema as mild.
- What did critics think of La Terra Trema?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and formally distinctive example of Italian neorealism, praised for its social realism and political sympathy.
- Which films are like La Terra Trema?
- Films with a similar feel include Bicycle Thieves, Umberto D., The Silence of the Sea, and The Tree of Wooden Clogs.
- How long is La Terra Trema?
- La Terra Trema runs 160 minutes.
- Where can I watch La Terra Trema?
- In United States, La Terra Trema is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Fandango At Home.
