Marcello Mastroianni and his son. Marcello Mastroianni and his wife. Marcello Mastroianni and his beret. Marcello Mastroianni.
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Regie Mario Monicelli
I soliti ignoti
An acclaimed, rewatchable comedy.
Der ungeschickte Kleinganove Cosimo kommt wegen Autodiebstahls ins Gefängnis. Dort erfährt er von einem großen Coup, bei dem ohne Risiko viel Geld zu holen sei. Mit Hilfe seiner alten Komplizen entwickelt er einen Plan, um aus dem Gefängnis zu kommen. Gegen Bezahlung soll der nicht vorbestrafte Boxer Peppe die Schuld für den Autodiebstahl auf sich nehmen und die Haftstrafe an Cosimos Stelle antreten. Aber Peppe wird verhaftet, ohne dass Cosimo freikommt. Er gibt vor, für drei Jahre einsitzen zu müssen, und Cosimo vertraut ihm den Plan an. Doch Peppe erhielt nur ein Jahr - auf Bewährung.
Big Deal on Madonna Street läuft derzeit in keinem Kino.
Folge dem Film in der App, um benachrichtigt zu werden, sobald Spielzeiten dazukommen.
Marcello Mastroianni and his son. Marcello Mastroianni and his wife. Marcello Mastroianni and his beret. Marcello Mastroianni.
RESEÑA EN ESPAÑOLON THE ROAD - LE STRADE ITALIANE: PASTA, GRANDE IMPERO E LA TERRA DEI MIEI ANTENATIMario Monicelli first impressed me with The Great War, but in this film, he truly won me over with a cleverly executed heist comedy. The film feels like a precursor to genre classics such as Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job, though the central caper initially seems less complex. As the plan unfolds, it reveals increasing intricacy—both through its meticulous detail and the extraordinary lengths the characters go to ensure success—painstakingly guarding against any misstep. Interwoven with the plotting are personal subplots, including a romantic thread and everyday concerns that breathe life into the participants. The screenplay is sharp, and the humor is subtle rather than overt. Much of the film’s charm stems from the chemistry among the thieves: each character boasts distinct traits and flaws that fuel tension and occasionally threaten the scheme. The ensemble delivers compelling performances, with the film ensuring each actor has moments to shine. The camerawork is surprisingly dynamic for its era—especially during a rooftop sequence where zooms and pans vividly illustrate the mechanics of the robbery. Piero Umiliani’s jazz score stands out as a defining element. Beyond setting mood and period flavor, the soundtrack acts almost like a narrative voice, amplifying the film’s playful energy and heightening moments of suspense. It has been credited with helping shape a jazz-inflected soundscape that grew prominent in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, making the music integral to the film’s identity. All in all, this film is essential viewing for aficionados of heist comedies and European genre cinema alike. Its well-crafted script, strong ensemble performances, inventive technical work, and memorable score combine to create a film that is both entertaining and thoughtfully crafted. For viewers interested in the evolution of caper films or character-driven comedies that blend wit with craftsmanship, this is an absolute must-watch. Also check out my ranking of the Best Italian movies from the 2000sON THE ROAD - LE STRADE ITALIANE: PASTA, GRANDE IMPERO E LA TERRA DEI MIEI ANTENATITODAY SCHEDULELa StradaNostalgiaBig Deal on Madonna Street
marcello mastroianni is just a frazzled little papa with his hat and his broken arm and his tiny screaming baby. i love him so much.
A group of inept petty criminals in Rome attempts a elaborate safe-cracking heist that results in comical failure.
The film was directed by Mario Monicelli, a central figure in the Italian comedy genre, in 1958.
It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1959.