The Mill on the Po

In the Po Valley during the 19th century, a rich girl engaged to a well-to-do farmer ends up penniless and is forced to work for her fiancé’s relatives. Peasant unrest, carried to extremes by both workers and landowners, leads to violence and tragedy.

Directed by Alberto Lattuada, The Mill on the Po leans on a strong ensemble — Carla Del Poggio, Jacques Sernas, Mario Besesti — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about history titles of 1949.