VIAGGIO IN ITALIA (JOURNEY TO ITALY)

Italy, 1953, 97 minutes, Black and white.
Ingrid Bergman, George Sanders.
Directed by Roberto Rossellini.

Journey to Italy was written and directed by Roberto Rossellini. It was one of several films made with his then wife Ingrid Bergman. The background of the making of Stromboli and Bergman's leaving her husband for Rossellini had caused a furore - which influenced the work of the couple during the '50s.

The film is simple in its plot - but relies more on two people moving in the Italian landscapes and in Italian society. The film, with subtlety, portrays Italy of the '50s with its heritage. It also portrays society. The film offers a great deal of insight - even though the audience is not as emotionally involved with the central couple as might be.

The film has a cinematic simplicity on the surface but has great depths of meaning and has been widely admired by film-makers - including Bernardo Bertolucci who refers to a character in his film Before the Revolution, having seen it 15 times.

1. The work of Roberto Rossellini? With Ingrid Bergman? The place of the film in Italian cinema of the '50s?

2. Rossellini and his work at neo-realism? His contribution to Italian cinema in the 1940s and '50s? His portrait of Italy and Italians? The ethos of Italy?

3. Black and white photography, the camera looking at Italy - its heritage, contemporary society? Landscapes? Use of light and darkness, shadows? The effect of Italy on its people? The musical score, songs, hymns?

4. Rossellini and his interpretation of - Italy? His references to history and mythology? Statuary, myths? The effect on contemporary Italians? Places: Capri and its history, the Roman Emperors etc? Pompeii and its destruction, the excavations? Ordinary people and the earthiness of Italy? The Catholic church, religious values? Pilgrimages, processions, miracles?

5. The straightforwardness of the plot - familiar material? The audience observing the couple, sympathising with them, understanding their difficulties? The importance of the experience over the plot?

6. Katherine and Alexander - the background of their marriage, eight years, genteel manners, the trip, the business interests, the effect of the trip on each, their going their separate ways, their coming together, the collapse of their marriage, important experiences to reunite them?

7. Ingrid Bergman's portrait of Katherine - her background, friends, the agents, guides? Ingrid Bergman and her presence and charm? her observing Italy? The range of visits and her experiences? Encounters with people? Memories of the poet that she loved? Socialising? The clashes with Alexander? The realisations about her marriage? rhe importance of the visit to Pompeii, the digging up of the statue of The Embrace and her not being able to cope, the experience of the procession and the healing of the lane man?

8. George Sanders' style as Alexander - suave, relationship with his wife, the selling of the house, the impact of Italy, his detachment, not being involved in the landscapes? Society contacts? Flirting and frustration? Capri? The tense relationship with Katherine7 The rediscovery of the bond between them?

9. The portrait of their friends, their lifestyle, wealth, social life? (The director indicating that contemporary society mirrors the societies of the past e.g. Pompeii?)

10. The esteem of film-makers for this film? Its quality as a cinema experience - visual experience for understanding?