The Earth Trembles

film by Visconti [1948]

Also known as: “La terra trema”

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June 25, 2026

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"The Earth Trembles" (La terra trema) is a 1948 Italian film directed by Luchino Visconti. It is a seminal work of Neorealism, a cinematic movement that emerged in Italy after World War II.

The film is notable for its documentary-like style and its focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people. It was shot on location in a Sicilian fishing village and features non-professional actors, which was a hallmark of the Neorealist movement. "The Earth Trembles" tells the story of impoverished Sicilian fishermen and their struggles against exploitation. Visconti's realistic treatment of social issues and his use of natural settings significantly influenced post-war Italian filmmaking.123

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Luchino Visconti
…later La terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), a documentary-style study of Sicilian fishermen filmed entirely on location and without actors, won the Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival. Visconti’s other widely acclaimed films include Bellissima (1951; The Most Beautiful) and Siamo donne (1953; We the Women), both starring…
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…later La terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), a documentary-style study of Sicilian fishermen filmed entirely on location and without actors, won the Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival. Visconti’s other widely acclaimed films include Bellissima (1951; The Most Beautiful) and Siamo donne (1953; We the Women), both starring…
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History of film
Italy
…was La terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), an epic of peasant life that was shot on location in a Sicilian fishing village. In many respects it is more exemplary of the movement than Ossessione, and it is widely regarded as a masterpiece. Neorealism’s third major director was Vittorio De…
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…was La terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), an epic of peasant life that was shot on location in a Sicilian fishing village. In many respects it is more exemplary of the movement than Ossessione, and it is widely regarded as a masterpiece. Neorealism’s third major director was Vittorio De…
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Giovanni Verga
…Luchino Visconti’s Terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), was based on Verga’s novel I malavoglia.
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…Luchino Visconti’s Terra trema (1948; The Earth Trembles), was based on Verga’s novel I malavoglia.
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