IMDb RATING
7.6/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Prior to a city council election, the collapse of a building leaves a land developer and his political backers defending themselves against a scandal.Prior to a city council election, the collapse of a building leaves a land developer and his political backers defending themselves against a scandal.Prior to a city council election, the collapse of a building leaves a land developer and his political backers defending themselves against a scandal.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 5 nominations
Dany París
- Dany - Amante di Maglione
- (as Dany Paris)
Alberto Amato
- Consigliere Comunale
- (uncredited)
Renzo Farinelli
- Giornalista
- (uncredited)
Pasquale Martino
- Capo dell'archivio
- (uncredited)
Mario Perelli
- Capo dell'Ufficio Technico
- (uncredited)
Francesco Rigamonti
- Consigiliere Comunale
- (uncredited)
Renato Terra
- Giornalista
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRosi considered realizing a documentary, but fearing the Italian censorship, since many political protagonists he wanted to denounce were still in charge at the time, he chose a fictional story instead. He however added a note by the end of the movie: "The characters and facts narrated here are fictional, but the social and environmental reality that produces them is real".
- Crazy creditsWestern Electric is misspelled ('Elettric').
- ConnectionsEdited into Colpiti al cuore (2019)
Featured review
"Money is like a horse; it has to eat every day."
In the early sixties Vittorio de Sica and Dino Risi were to show the darker side of Italy's economic miracle known as 'Il Boom' but there can be no fiercer denunciation of the corruption and speculation of the time than this early film of Francesco Rosi.
Shot in Naples by Gianni di Venanzo in a semi-documentary style with a cast comprising mainly non-professionals and a suitably dissonant score by Piero Piccioni, it is an immensely powerful and indeed courageous film.
For the role of Nottola, a thoroughly obnoxious and unscrupulous property developer, city councillor and all round wheeler-dealer, Rosi has acquired the services of Rod Steiger. This fine actor has at times a tendency to 'overcook it' but is far more effective in his quieter moments than when emoting and the director here has kept him on a tight rein. He is adequately 'dubbed' by Aldo Giuffré. It is however Salvo Randone's performance as a glib and oily politician who has evidently studied his Machiavelli that lingers longest.
The collapse of the building and the subsequent evictions in the working class area are brilliantly handled as are the angry exchanges in the courtroom and council chamber. The editing by Mario Serandrei is, as always, exemplary and one is hardly surprised that his expertise was used by Pontecorvo on 'Battle of Algiers'.
Although considered by some to be a minor work in the Rosi canon this film deservedly won a Golden Lion at Venice and has achieved the distinction of being one of Italy's '100 films to be saved'. Rosi himself makes it abundantly clear that although the characters and facts in this narration are imaginary, 'the social and environmental reality that produces them is authentic'.
Shot in Naples by Gianni di Venanzo in a semi-documentary style with a cast comprising mainly non-professionals and a suitably dissonant score by Piero Piccioni, it is an immensely powerful and indeed courageous film.
For the role of Nottola, a thoroughly obnoxious and unscrupulous property developer, city councillor and all round wheeler-dealer, Rosi has acquired the services of Rod Steiger. This fine actor has at times a tendency to 'overcook it' but is far more effective in his quieter moments than when emoting and the director here has kept him on a tight rein. He is adequately 'dubbed' by Aldo Giuffré. It is however Salvo Randone's performance as a glib and oily politician who has evidently studied his Machiavelli that lingers longest.
The collapse of the building and the subsequent evictions in the working class area are brilliantly handled as are the angry exchanges in the courtroom and council chamber. The editing by Mario Serandrei is, as always, exemplary and one is hardly surprised that his expertise was used by Pontecorvo on 'Battle of Algiers'.
Although considered by some to be a minor work in the Rosi canon this film deservedly won a Golden Lion at Venice and has achieved the distinction of being one of Italy's '100 films to be saved'. Rosi himself makes it abundantly clear that although the characters and facts in this narration are imaginary, 'the social and environmental reality that produces them is authentic'.
Helpful•00
- brogmiller
- Nov 23, 2021
- Permalink
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Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $328
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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