 Roberto Rossellini (qv) started the film in July 1943 as "Scalo  merci" with Oretta Fiume (qv) in the leading role. The production  was halted several times because of the war (during which time  Oretta Fiume was replaced by Elli Parvo (qv)) only to be shelved  in early 1944. In the spring of 1944, Marcello Pagliero (qv) took  over the project. He modified the screenplay and changed the  settings altogether (railway men became woodcutters). The final  product, presented to the public in May 1946, includes some of the  scenes shot by Rossellini