The Betrothed (Italian:I Promessi Sposi) is a 1941 Italian historical drama film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Gino Cervi, Dina Sassoli and Ruggero Ruggeri. It is an adaptation of the 1827 novel The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni. The film's producers organised a competition to select the lead actress (eventually won by Sassoli) which was modelled on the hunt for Scarlett O'Hara by the American producer David O. Selznick for Gone With the Wind.
The novel was turned into a film again in 1964 and a television miniseries in 1989.Synopsis
In a small town on Lake Como, the peasants Renzo and Lucia love each other, but are hampered by the wickedness of the squire Don Rodrigo, which prevents the parish priest Don Abbondio to celebrate the wedding. Don Rodrigo's in love with Lucia, and tries to kidnap her, but the good Friar Cristoforo agoes to escape the lake Renzo and Lucia. Lucia goes to Monza, in a monastery, while Renzo is involved in popular unrest in Milan. Lucia is kidnapped by a rich man, a friend of Don Rodrigo, after he bribed a female monk of the monastery.
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