A lasting impression

Your parents took their 8 year old to see this film? What were they THINKING? It's not appropriate for a kid that age. Early teen, maybe, but not eight! Talk about ruining a little kid's innocence. Sheesh, some parents are dumb.

Same here! I was about 12 years old when I first watched this movie on German TV. Last year (almost 35 years later) I saw it again on TCM. The scene that stuck in my mind the most was Angela's father beating her after reading her diary and shouting that "she has a lover." And then of course there's that great music.

well, i just saw it for the first time ever (on t.c.m.)! i can't believe that i've seen nearly a half-dozen other mastroianni films, yet had never seen this one before! the guy who introduced this film on turner classic movies (the guy who introduces most of the movies) stated that, originally, anthony quinn was slated to play the lead in it...can you imagine that?! mastroianni was born to play the part of cefalu. anthony quinn (not even italian) was a great actor ("zorba"); but this part went to the actor it was supposed to go to.
and, the funniest scene - in a film filled with funny scenes - is the very last one! (can't say that about too many comedies)
i also agree with you, "coronado_g," about the music. it is pitch perfect.
i also love the fact that the setting is one of those small italian towns where everybody basically knows everybody else; couldn't see it being set in a big city like roma or firenze, etc.
this is one of those films should never be remade...

gregory 040207