La Strada 1954 - Movie Quotes

The Fool If you won't stay with him, who will? I'm an ignorant man, but I've read a book or two. You may not believe it, but everything in this world has a purpose. Even this pebble, for example.

Gelsomina Which one?

The Fool This one. Any one. But even this one has a purpose.

Gelsomina What's its purpose?

The Fool Its purpose is - how should I know? If I knew, I'd be...

Gelsomina Who?

The Fool The Almighty, who knows everything. When you're born. When you die. Who knows? No, I don't know what this pebble's purpose is, but it must have one, because if this pebble has no purpose, then everything is pointless. Even the stars! At least, I think so. And you too. You have a purpose too.

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The Fool Maybe he likes you?

Gelsomina Zampanò... likes me?

The Fool Why not? He's like a dog. Ever see those dogs who look like they want to speak, but all they do is bark?

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The Fool What a funny face! Are you a woman, really? Or an artichoke?

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Gelsomina The Fool is hurt.

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Zampanò [reciting his act by rote before a crowd] Here we have a piece of chain that is a quarter of an inch thick. It is made of crude iron, stronger than steel. With the simple expansion of my pectoral muscles, or chest, that is, I'll break the hook.

[collecting money from the crowd]

Zampanò Thank you, thank you. Now, to do this feat, I must fill myself up like a tire. If a blood vessel should break, I would spit blood. For instance, in Milan a man weighing 240 pounds lost his eyesight doing this trick. That is because the optical nerves take a beating, and once you lose your eyes, you are finished. If there's any delicate person in the audience, I would advise him to look away 'cause there could be blood.

[with seemingly great effort, he breaks the chain]

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Nun Do you like traveling from one place to the next all the time?

Gelsomina That's how his work is.

Nun We travel around too. We change convents every two years. This is my second.

Gelsomina Why?

Nun So we don't get too attached to the things of this world. You grow fond of where you live, even of a a plant. You risk forgetting your most important attachment, which is to God. So you see, we both travel. You follow your husband and I follow mine.

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Gelsomina Quiet flame, bright flame, quiet flame, night cries.

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Gelsomina's Mother She's not like Rosa. But she's a good girl, poor thing. She'll do what she's told. She just came out a little strange. But, if she eats every day, maybe she'll get better.

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Gelsomina Where are you from?

Zampanò My hometown.

Gelsomina You don't talk like us. Where were you born?

Zampanò My father's house.

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Zampanò Why don't you remarry?

Widow What? Another husband? I'm the only one who gives orders around here.

Zampanò Is that all a husband is good for? Giving orders?

Widow Think I'm not made of flesh and blood? Everybody likes sweets after a good meal.

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Gelsomina Do you remember how beautiful it was, Zampanò? Watching the rain from the window that day?

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Zampanò You always eat standing up like a horse?

Widow I always eat on my feet. Who's going to keep the house going if not me?

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Widow For three nights I've been up at 1:00am to cook. Think I'm tired? If I felt like it, I could dance all night long. Us older women are better than young girls.

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The Fool What if I asked you to come with me? I'll teach you to walk the tightrope, way up in the air, with all the lights on you. I have a car. We'd be traveling all the time. We'd have a world of fun. Would you iike that? But no. "Nothing." You have to stay with Zampanò and perform his ridiculous stunts and let him beat you like a donkey. Such is life.

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Wedding Guest Long live the bride, fresh as a rose!

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The Fool Hey, you broke my watch!

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Giraffa Don't be afraid. He won't eat you. We're all one big family and we all work together. The more the merrier.

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The Fool Don't wait for me to finish. You have to interrupt me! And I told you to blow it over here, silly girl!

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Gelsomina's Mother You want to go with Zampanò and take Rosa's place? He'll teach you a trade. You'll earn some money. And one less mouth to feed around here wouldn't be bad.

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Gelsomina's Mother Gelsomina, Zampanò's a good man. He'll treat you well. You'll travel the world. You'll sing and dance. And look what he gave me: 10,000 lire! I have it here, 10,000 lire! We can fix the roof and these poor things can eat. Why did your father ever leave us?

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Zampanò Come here. There should be something here to fit you. I want you to look elegant. I don't want to see you in rags. My women have always looked smart.

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Zampanò Do only what I tell you to.

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Prostitute Wool? This ain't no wool! I could stick my toes through it.