THE VOYAGE
Italy, 1975, 92 minutes, Colour.
Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Ian Bannen.
Directed by Vittorio de Sica.
The Voyage was Vittorio de Sica's last film. It is beautiful to look at, almost too beautiful in its glowing photography, its meticulous and detailed construction of the early 1900's sets, costumes and decor. It is Italian nostalgia, romanticising a leisured past so that its theme of rigidity of traditions and their hurtful moulding of people's lives is partially obscured. Again, the characters move, somewhat trance-like, through this world, accepting the impositions on their lives. Sophia Loren, regally beautiful, is at home in this nostalgic love story atmosphere, Richard Burton less so. The film is graceful and atmospheric which will limit its appeal to those who are fond of romance.
1. How entertaining and appealing a film? Its main impact?
2. Its status as Vittorio de Sica’s last film? The film as Italian? Appealing to Italians, to universal audiences?
3. The historic aspects of the film? The use of colour and the glowing photography for the past? The ample use of locations and sets: homes, piazzas.. churches? The atmosphere of the first decade of the century? The use of music and background themes for mood and characters?
4. The quality of creating the early nineteenth century atmosphere? Its look, Sicily? The isolation, the way of society, manners? Modes of acting, clothes, vehicles? A formal age?
5. The picture of society and society's impact on individuals? The style, the control of people's lives and wills? The differences in classes and expected behaviour? The role of wealth, authority, family? The external pressures on morals and behaviour? How well did the film portray these tensions for individuals? Did it make any judgement on such pressures?
6. The contrast of the people's feelings with the pressures of society? Feelings and conforming to marriage, love, bringing up a family, proper behaviour? The differing roles of men and women in such a society? Was it necessarily Italian?
7. The freedom for men, the constraint for women? The nature of arranged marriages and their effect on people's lives? The reality of true love? The initial atmosphere and setting for the will? The atmosphere of death and its repetition throughout the film? The people presented and their manner? The influence of wealth, death?
8. The presentation of Cesare and Antonio? Their role and understanding of their family, status in society, Antonio's marriage, the formalities of proposal, the elaborate wedding? The picture of family life, country estates, birth of children and difficulties?
9. The contrast in character between the two brothers? Adriana in this setting? The initial portrayal of her at home, at work, the influence of her mother? Preparation for Cesare's call? The disappointment? Her reasons for submitting to the marriage? Its effect on her whole life?
10. Cesare and his role in the family? His absences, business, his way of life as a wealthy man, his relationship to his mistress?
11. The contrast with Antonio as a more simple man? The happiness that he had and his having to tell himself about his luck? His relationship with Adriana and his son? The importance of the car? The sequence of his driving and his death? The impact of his death as exemplified in the funeral scene?
12. The portrait of Adriana and her son? Growing up in Sicilian society? Adriana living solely for her son? The dramatic change because of her illness? The beginning of the voyage in going to Palermo? The rebuke of the doctors and the diagnosis?
14. The visit to Naples and the confirmation of the illness? The impulse at the railway station to go on the voyage? The effect on Adriana and Cesare? The freedom, forgetting home and bonds?
15. The significance of the voyage in terms of love, fulfilment? The effect on each? The desire for Cesare to marry? The background of the scandal in Sicily?
16. How well presented was the dram of Adriana's death? The telephone call, Cesare's absence, Adriana's suffering? The impact of the death?
17. The film was based on a novella. Did the film correspond to this style? Its entertainment value, the impact in exploring human values?
