Even if Sophia Loren were wearing simple clothes, she possesses a magnetism and presence that truly benefits her portrayal in this deeply affecting story set during wartime. She plays "Cesira," a recent widow who, amidst constant bombing, feels it’s necessary to move her young daughter, "Rosetta" (Eleonora Brown), to safety. Their trek back to their hometown of Sant'Eufemia is full of peril, but once they arrive in the village under Nazi control, they attempt to establish a semblance of normalcy. “Cesira” even encounters “Michele” (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a younger man who seems sweet but perhaps lacks experience, however, as supplies dwindle and reports of an Allied offensive start to seem credible, she concludes that returning to Rome would be wise since everyone is vulnerable to aerial attacks. It’s this second journey that reveals the terrible realities of both war itself and the worst aspects of humanity. The physical and emotional toll of conflict impacts these two women as they search for security in a precarious situation, and with an increasingly noticeable atmosphere of dread and anxiety, Loren gives a powerful and believable performance as a mother striving to shield her daughter—who may not fully grasp the dangers surrounding them. Raf Vallone’s “Giovanni” has limited but meaningful involvement, and Vittorio De Sica's intense photography and narrative style create one of the most compelling depictions of war’s brutality that I have ever witnessed. It isn't a comfortable film to watch, though it is undeniably moving.

Source on TMDB