One of the core classics of Italian Neorialism, Bitter Rice exhibits the typical location filming, broad frames of the working class toiling in the fields, and social realist depiction of their life struggles. The plot, bordering on melodrama, is the film's weakest point, but the setting is conjured with such detailed realism, the directing so good, that powerful and involving scenes abound. And when Gassman and Mangano share the screen - especially when they dance - it is electric, sparks fly!

in the end, she opens her eyes for a glimpse. it's horrifying.

A good Neo Realism film with wonderful and deep lines.

This isn't neorealism but the first Italian movie to break with that style and do something new. The killing at the end has quickly become one of my all time favorite scenes. Silvana, arm pit hair and all, sure was sexy.

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