oh and those sneaky italian . it not the first time they base a movie on source material without the permission or knowledge of the and in this case and author of the novel . of course this be not something that be typically italian but get do quite a lot in the early day of cinema and mostly because they often think they would be able to get away with it . james m. cain publisher manage to keep this movie off american screen until 1976 but nevertheless the movie itself have grow a bit into a well know classic . the movie be not as great to watch a the 1946 american version but it a great movie nevertheless . this of course not in the least be due to the movie it great strong story and that be an intrigue one and provide the movie with some great character and realism . it follow the novel quite closely and be therefore mostly the same a other movie version of it story and with of course a a difference that it get set in an italian environment . leave it up to the italian to make a movie about life and the real people in it . these early drama always have a very realistic feeling over it and be therefore also quite involve to watch . unfortunately the movie lose some of it power toward the end and when the movie start to feel a bit overlong and drag in part . the movie could have easily end 15 minute earlier . nevertheless and i do not really have much else negative to say about this movie . it simply a greatly make one and base on some equally great and strong source material . quite an impressive directorial debut for luchino visconti and who continue to direct some many more great and memorable italian dramatic movie . positive .