Based on Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci. The film recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. The only actor in the cast who also sang his role was the celebrated Italian baritone, Tito Gobbi, but the film is largely very faithful to its source material, presenting the opera nearly complete.
Mario Costa
Director
Mario Costa
Writer
Alberto Giacalone
Producer
Mario Bava
Director of Photography
Carlo Castelli
Writer
Anton Giulio Majano
Writer
Tito Gobbi
Tonio/Silvio
Gina Lollobrigida
Nedda
Onelia Fineschi
Nedda (singing voice)
Afro Poli
Canio, master of the troupe
Galliano Masini
Canio (singing voice)
Filippo Morucci
Beppe, troupe harlequin
Gino Sinimberghi
Beppe (singing voice)
