Wild Is the Wind (1957)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Beautiful, moving film.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Anthony Quinn, (Gino) plays the role as a Italian/American sheep rancher who loses his wife and he decides to send for his dead wife's sister, Giola, (Anna Magnani) from Italy. When Giola arrives Gino gives her all kinds of presents, but is not close to her and always calls her by his dead wife's name. As the months go by, Giola becomes unhappy and feels neglected and still remains unmarried even though Gino calls her his wife. Bene, (Anthony Franciosa) is Gino's son and he becomes romantically involved with Giola and they have some very torrid love scenes. In one scene you see a sheep giving birth which adds a great deal to the reality of this very down to earth film which was directed by the famous director, George Cukor. Anna Magnani gave an outstanding performance and was nominated for an Acamedy Award for her great role. Enjoy.

I finally saw it too in a copy that appears to have been made from American Music Classics on cable at the time they were running movies uncut.It's a well-acted film. The plot recalls O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms (filmed in 1958) and Sidney Howard's They Knew What They Wanted (filmed in 1940 with Charles Laughton and musicalized by Frank Loesser in The Most Happy fellow in 1956)--older man, mail order bride, affair between wife and younger man.Very slow in the 1950s style but powerfully acted. Not the sort of film you'd expect from Cukor. Interesting facet to his career.Also interesting to compare this film and Secret of San Vittorio which re-united Magnani and Quinn after 12 years--older and maybe toned down just a notch, with the Irish/Mexican Quinn again playing an Italian.

Its not enough to say that Johnny Mathis sings the title song over the opening credits.With Cukor directing this grand meeting of Anthony Quinn and Anna Magnani thats says enough.The plot has its melodramatic moments for sure and its another film with the wonderful Dolores Hart who only a few years alter would become a nun.This also has the merits of Anthony Franciosca really playing his best role for many years in films.Franciosca, falls for Magnani in a lustful way while Quinn is away from the ranch.Its really the sweeping scenes and the acting of Quinn and Magnani that moves the film.Looking back , it would have been a treasure to see Magnani act in more US Films ( The Rose Tattoo) but that didn't happen. Finally , in her eyes we see how she made " Open City" ( Rosselini) a memorable film. Produced by the best...Hal Wallis CP

A sheep rancher (Anthony Quinn) marries his sister-in-law (Anna Magnani)from Italy, but she falls in love with his son instead. A slow-moving, over-acted melodrama with no surprises. It earned an Oscar nomination for the title song.