Heaven Over the Marshes
Synopsis
Unlike most Italian films of the 1940s, Augusto Genina's Cielo Sulla Palude opened in Venice rather than Rome. The film's American title was Heaven Over the Marshes, and indeed most of the story is set in the disease-ridden Pontine Marshes on the outskirts of Rome. This was the home of Maria Goretti, a pious young girl who was murdered by her would-be seducer. For reasons elucidated in the course of the film, Maria's short time on earth made her worthy of Sainthood, which was actually bestowed upon her shortly after the release of this film. Maria Goretti is well-played by Ines Orsini. Cielo Sulla Palude served as the comeback feature for director Augusto Genina, whose previous pro-fascist films had caused him to be blacklisted after WW II.
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in United States.
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Top cast
Inés Orsini
Maria Goretti
Giovanni Martella
Luigi Goretti - il padre di Maria
Mauro Matteucci
Alessandro Serenelli
Rubi D'Alma
La contessa Teneroni
Michele Malaspina
Il conte
Domenico Viglione Borghese
Il dottore (as D. Viglione Borghese)
Assunta Radico
Assunta Goretti - La madre di Maria
Francesco Tomalillo
Giovanni Serenelli - il padre di Serenelli
María Luisa Landín
Lucia
Ida Paoloni
Teresa
