Give Us This Day
Exiled from Hollywood due to the blacklist, director Edward Dmytryk briefly operated in England in the late 1940s. Though filmed in its entirety in London, Dmytryk's Give Us This Day is set in New York during the depression. Fellow blacklistee Sam Wanamaker is starred as the head of an Italian immigrant family struggling to survive the economic crisis.
Insights
Plot Summary
An Italian immigrant's dreams of a better life in America are shattered as he grapples with poverty, prejudice, and the harsh realities of working on the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel construction. His ambition turns to desperation, leading him down a path of moral compromise and ultimately, tragedy.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'Give Us This Day' was praised for its gritty realism and powerful performances, particularly Sam Wanamaker's portrayal of the ambitious immigrant. Critics lauded its unflinching depiction of the struggles faced by laborers and immigrants in post-war America, though some found its bleakness overwhelming.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its powerful and raw portrayal of the immigrant experience.
- Sam Wanamaker's performance is highlighted as a career-defining role.
- The film's stark realism and unflinching look at labor exploitation resonated with critics.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not readily available for this classic film.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel 'The Bridge' by Carlo Levi, but the story was transposed from Rome to New York City.
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