Sunflower (I girasoli) (1970)

87% of users liked it
(821 ratings)

The first Italian feature film shot in Moscow was directed by the renowned Vittorio De Sica and produced by Carlo Ponti. Sophia Loren stars as Giovanna, an Italian woman who marries Antonio (Marcello Mastroianni) 12 days before the outbreak of WWII. Antonio has no desire to fight in the conflict,… More The first Italian feature film shot in Moscow was directed by the renowned Vittorio De Sica and produced by Carlo Ponti. Sophia Loren stars as Giovanna, an Italian woman who marries Antonio (Marcello Mastroianni) 12 days before the outbreak of WWII. Antonio has no desire to fight in the conflict, and he fakes insanity to try to avoid the draft, but officials see through the charade. Antonio is sent to the Russian front, where the soldiers are plagued by freezing temperatures and short supplies of rations. He is found half-dead in the cold by a Russian peasant girl, Mascia (Lyudmila Savelyeva). She takes him in, and eventually, they marry. Giovanna waits in vain for word on the fate of her husband, who is officially declared missing in action. She goes to Russia to try to find him, searching records and cemeteries. Finally, she discovers first his new wife, then him, and reluctantly decides not to fight the situation. Returning home to Italy, she marries an older factory worker, Ettore (Germano Longo), and they have a son (who is played by the real-life son of Ponti and Loren). But Antonio still longs for Giovanna, and he returns to Italy to discuss a reconciliation with her. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Vittorio De Sica
Written By: Tonino Guerra, Giorgi Mdivani
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1970 Wide
On DVD: Jan 25, 2005
Studio: AVCO Embassy Pictures

Critic Reviews

Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
...a useful corrective to American movies which present the war as a time of glory on the battlefield and cheery patriotism at home.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Excellent drama, with Sophia Loren at the peak of her powers.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

In "Sunflower," Giovanna(Sophia Loren) still thinks her husband Antonio(Marcello Mastroianni, accept no imitations) is alive decades after being reported missing in World War II. They met shortly before he was scheduled to be shipped off to Africa.(Don't tell me, she… More
In "Sunflower," Giovanna(Sophia Loren) still thinks her husband Antonio(Marcello Mastroianni, accept no imitations) is alive decades after being reported missing in World War II. They met shortly before he was scheduled to be shipped off to Africa.(Don't tell me, she actually bought that line!) In order to desperately keep him safe, they marry in order to get a 12-day leave. That having gone quickly, he feigns insanity but is found out and is shipped off to the Russian front... While "Sunflower" is not close to his best films, Vittorio De Sica still has enough skill with the medium to turn the movie into something more than a run of the mill tearjerker, aided as he is by such gifted actors. As antiwar as it is, the film is also concerned with two characters who futilely fight against history and nationalism at all costs. At 32, Antonio is not married and probably would not have married Giovanna if not for the war. And their attempt to get Antonio out of the war only makes matters far worse.
Chris B

A poignant and intense emotional journey through relationships and love in wartime and the devastating affects that war brings to those involved. Sunflower is a beautiful Drama about an Italian woman who marries a soldier and spends years of her life hoping and searching for him… More
A poignant and intense emotional journey through relationships and love in wartime and the devastating affects that war brings to those involved. Sunflower is a beautiful Drama about an Italian woman who marries a soldier and spends years of her life hoping and searching for him after the war ends and there is still no word from her husband. Later she finds him, and when she does what she discovers will change both their lives forever. Recommended for drama fans and fans of Sophia Loren who delivers another complex and amazing performance.