This film pairs two of Italy's greatest character actresses, Julietta Masina and Anna Magnani. Masina is the naive 26 year old who is one of several "new comers" to women's prison. The new arrivals cry their hearts out to the women already doing their time. Magnani plays the hardened "regular", who keeps coming back.

 

The film takes a closer look at several of these women. Somehow all of their "crimes" are directly related to the dire poverty from which they are desperate to escape. Whether selling merchandise without paying the proper taxes, or sending an infant on a river ride in a basket (which sinks and drowns the child), none of these women committed crimes out of greed or malice. The Masina character is eventually exonerated and leaves before serving out her full sentence.

 

The ending (which I will not spoil) drives home the "message". Women in prison may act rough and tough, but they were all innocent once. Those who break the cycle and escape the life of small-time delinquency, are few. Their triumph over adversity is the hope for everyone else. One character, who has found her hope in a new love, said it best. "Now I know, that when I get out of here, I will never come back". To cling to this hope for a better tomorrow was on the minds of many people during 1950s Italy.Always look for a brighter tomorrow!