Revenge

The new Italian film, "Revenge," now being shown at the Beacon Hill, is not cut from the same hearty fabric as were its illustrious predecessors from the country. Though it contains in its cast two of Italy's biggest stars, Anna Magnani and Gino Cervi, their talents can do little to redeem a weak and confusing plot, poor photography, a strident musical score, and the general low quality of the film.

"Revenge" was made several years ago at a time when Italy was at its lowest in both morals and morale. Heads of families were finding it almost impossible to earn a living wage and still be honest. The young boy in this film makes more money on the black market than him father does in a factory. The sister takes to jitterbugging and wearing black-lace drawers. So when the Italian soldier comes home, the plight in which he finds him own family can be taken as somewhat typifying that of Italy at the time. "Revenge" was intended to carry a message of hope to the people of Italy. To this observer, distant in both time and space from the problem, it performs its task artlessly.

Anna Magnani is a very stunning woman and has a way of making her fellow actors pale beside her. The few exciting moments near the end of "Revenge" in which Signorina Magnani is allowed to open all valves are the only worthwhile ones in the film.