What if Giovanna never went looking for Antonio? (spoiler alert)

This film also made me cry, the emotions between Loren and Mastroianni were incredibly portrayed, at most points they did not even speak and the feelings between them were so tangible. I don't think Antonio would have gone back to Italy. I think it was almost a survival technique for him to forget the war and all that came before it. Remembering her and his past life would have brought back memories of the war,he might have even felt no longer connected to Italy and resentful after the harsh war experience. When he saw her on the train platform however all the emotions came back and as his wife stated, he was no longer speaking, so mired was he in the past and his longing. Beautifully acted film, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

I got the feeling he wouldn't have returned. I think he was through with his former life. Even though he left Giovanna behind, his Russian wife saved him while Mussolini and his Fascists just through him away.

The movie seemed to indicate that his new life under Communism was fine with him.

But sometimes your past catches up with you as was the case here. He STILL had feelings for Giovanna.

Great film. Excellent acting.

I agree with the other posters. I also think that he would have thought it would be less cruel that Giovanna thought he had died, rather than knowing that he was living with a new wife and child. For all he knew, she had moved on too. No doubt he still loved her, but the war and their long separation had changed things.