Rating: 
Summary: Striking
Review: At times, both funny, uplifting, and devastating. An evenly paced movie that slowly drags you into this lady's life and the recurring letdowns she suffers. Her inner charm and response to these events feed you with energy and yet, at the end, you are devastated. The restoration by Criterion is beyond belief. Check out the DVD extras for comparisons. I can't stop thinking about this lady and what must drive her.
Rating:
Summary: PRETTY WOMAN
Review: One of the bonus features that you will find in this DVD is a very instructive interview of the assistant of Federico Fellini for NIGHTS OF CABIRIA. At a certain moment, in order to qualify Fellini's work, he uses the terms " poetic density " . That's exactly what one feels while watching the movies of the italian director during his first period of creativity.The search for happiness of Cabiria, the prostitute with a big heart, is one of the most moving story you will ever see. It is going to touch you deep inside, where it really hurts, where the scars always bleed. Because you and me, for a second or for a day, we have already felt the despair of Cabiria in our very heart. It must be noted that the copy presented by Criterion includes " The Man with the Sack " sequence which has been invisible for years. At last, no need to say that sound and images are, as always in this collection, perfect. A DVD for your library.
Rating:
Summary: The Movie That Restored My Faith In Fellini's Movies
Review: After renting this film a few weeks ago,I've never really been much of a Fellini fan. I've seen most of his major films such as "La Strada" or "La Dolce Vita". But his films never moved me in any special way. I've always perceived his films to be extremely odd as in the case of "Satyricon" or "City of Women". Up untill the point when I saw this film, my favorite was "The White Sheik" which I felt was his best work,mostly because it was "normal". But with this movie Fellini shocked me! I actually felt sorry for Masina's character. And on top of that I wanted a happy ending. For once Fellini made a movie that actually moved me. Now I am a Fellini fan forever!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Touching
Review: You will not be disappointed with this wonderful film. A wonderful story handled by a real master. It magically mixes tragedy with the wonderful humor Giulietta Masina gives her character Cabiria. Cabiria is one of the most unforgettable characters in cinema. It also perfectly captures what life may have been like for these young hipster er... prostitutes in 50's Italy. Put off seeing the latest Hollywood release just once and see this wonderful work instead.
Rating:
Summary: Some technical facts about the transfer of Nights of Cabiria
Review: This is just some information about the new "Nights of Cabiria" transfer. In one of the customer reviews by Fred Melden, it is mentioned that the "dubbing and subtitles were poor, often not even closely matching one another." Let's get one thing straight, the dub-track was included on the DVD as supplimental material... mostly to show how silly the 50's dubbed version must have looked it's original US release, not as the preferable way to view the film. Secondly, the reason the subtitles don't match the dub-track is that the subtitles are A NEW AND IMPROVED TRANSLATION. They aren't meant to match; the subtitles are an improvement. Lastly, the reason that some chapers are missing the English dub-track is that those particular scenes were cut from the film before its US release, menaing a dub-track was never done for them. These scenes are are available for the first time since the film's initial Cannes festival premier in 1956. This is a restored cut of the film.
Rating:
Summary: An acceptance of victimhood
Review: I have seen this film praised as some kind of proto-feminist protest against the status of women. On the contrary, Cabiria's suffering is caused by evil people acting in conjunction with her own naivete'. Victimizers do not thrive without victims, and their mutual, unconscious agreement energizes and enables their mini-story. Phrases like "triumph of the human spirit" are not accurate. She does not triumph over evil by refusing to be changed; she is simply too dumb to become cynical - or even cautious. Triumph would occur if she learned caution, but remained good and loving. Cabiria is a bigger fool than most people, but one with heart and goodness. And so we are fond of her; but we need not be fond of her situation or her folly that brought her to it. Her parting smile at us, the viewer, assures us that in the end, despite her suffering and loss, all is well. If I believed that engagement with life was suffering, I could accept this; but I don't, and can't. However, as a movie rather than philosophy, Nights Of Cabiria shines. It expresses its views well, even poetically. And yes, it is haunting and thought provoking. The Criterion version is especially good in demonstrating that the restoration, while not perfect, is very praiseworthy. The dubbing and subtitles were poor, often not even closely matching one another. The 4th or 5th chapter was not even dubbed in English. A feature-length commentary would have been a welcome addition. 5 stars for the movie, 4 for the DVD
Rating:
Summary: A Well-Deserved Restoration
Review: You'll laugh; you'll cry; you'll want to go to Rome and track down those locations. This regretfully overlooked masterpiece finally gets a well-deserved restoration and stellar presentation on DVD, and let's hope it gets more fans in the process. Giulietta Masina delivers one of the all-time great screen performances. And with the long-lost "man with a sack" sequence restored, the movie seems even richer than before. It's in that sequence that Cabiria sees her future, and the effect is devastating--for her, and for us at the film's conclusion. And that conclusion is brilliant--with the slightest teary smile and a nano-second look into our eyes, Masina tells us volumes about her tragic character and her spirit for survival--and maybe a little about ourselves, as well. This is one of those films that has become an annual ritual for me.
Rating:
Summary: a compelling look at the human experience.
Review: Nights of Cabiria was the first Fellini movie that I ever saw and it won me over as a fan for life. What makes Cabiria such a compelling charecter is her outlook on life. Although in a shameful career she holds her head up high even among celebrities, and see's the good that life and people have to offer. These are qualities that are admirable in a life that can throw you (literally!) for a loop, more than once.
Rating:
Summary: SO GREAT AND SO TO TOUCHING
Review: I find this great classic so touching that I can only watch it in about fifteen minute segments. It will never be outclassed or grow out of favor. I also found Shirley Maclain a pretty god competitor in Sweet Charity
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get much better than this!
Review: This is Italian cinema at it's greatest. The master Fellini has given the film world such a masterpiece, that many viewings are in order to fully appreciate this timeless classic. The fabulous Guilletta Masina gives one of the world's greatest performances. This is truly not to be missed. The Criterion Collection DVD is of incredible quality - sharp, clear, restored to all the film's greatness. May they produce all of Fellini's movies!
| 
