Desire (1946): cast, story & where to watch
1946 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1946, Desire is a drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini, running about 91 minutes. “There's a girl like her in every town!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Paola, a Milan call girl, returns home to her village in the Abruzzi mountains in an attempt to go straight. Rejected by her father, blackmailed by a former lover, and lusted after by her brother-in-law, she turns to her beloved sister for support. Denied succor, like so many of Rossellini’s isolated figures, Paola awaits the arrival of her fiancé, who has offered her a new start, but instead decides that life is untenable.
Who’s in it. Desire stars Massimo Girotti as Nando Mancini, Carlo Ninchi as Giovanni Mirelli, Elli Parvo as Paola Previtali (as Elly Parvo) and Roswita Schmidt as Anna Previtali Mancini, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Desire has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Desire page.
If you liked it. Fans of Desire tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Desire (1946)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Desire change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Desire worth watching?
- Desire holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Desire?
- Desire stars Massimo Girotti, Carlo Ninchi, Elli Parvo, Roswita Schmidt and Lia Corelli.
- When was Desire released?
- Desire was released in 1946, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.