Reviews (2)

Not for the kids!
The movie stars Kirk Douglas and is based on a book by Jules Verne, but parents expecting another 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA will be in for a surprise. It is very violent and includes things like torture and a gang-rape that are totally inappropriate for kids. Adults will find a well-acted but slow moving adventure story. The scenery is beautiful but the movie has a low budget look and feel. And the DVD has no bonus features, not even the theatrical trailer. Pricey for a DVD with no bells and whistles.

Very Entertaining
Highly enjoyable movie in which Kirk Douglas is a lighthouse keeper on an island at the tip of South America. Yul Brynner plays a blood thirsty Pirate who eventually hunts Kirk Douglas down at this deserted outpost. Very Entertaining tale in which finally, a pirate movie where they arnt all singing and dancing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Costa-Gavras's Z, winner of the 1970 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a classic political thriller, combining intrigue with raw emotional power. The story turns on the investigation of the assassination of a left-wing Greek politician (Yves Montand), and his government's attempts to cover up the murky circumstances. Montand receives death threats as he prepares to give a speech condemning the government, and is then run down in front of numerous witnesses. Jean-Louis Trintignant (The Conformist) plays the judge assigned to the investigation, who gradually discovers how far the state will go to rid itself of political opposition. As he is warned off the case by his superiors, the judge becomes even more determined to discover the truth, no matter where it might lead. Costa-Gavras (Missing, Mad City) is in familiar territory here, but no one handles this type of material better. Z is a classic of political intrigue and social consciousness. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Superbly-paced political thriller...
Costa Gavras presents the ruthlessness of THE STATE determined to defend itself against enemies...perceived or actual...foreign or domestic. The 1966 coup d'etat of George Pappadapolos and the Greek Colonels is the context of this film which was, perhaps, overly-regarded because of its topicality when released in 1969. The murder of The Deputy...well-played by Yves Montand...now conveys a more universal impact of menace. The Montand character is literally run over. Citizens of any bastion of democracy might reflect on the reality that a "mighty" State can (and often does) run over whatever opposes its designs. The superb pacing, and occasionaly jarring musical score of this film turn a film viewed as a manifesto against fascism into a political "thriller". But viewers might recall the words of the Investigating Magistrate...played with understatement by Jean-Louis Trintignant...when he indicts the military clique responsible for assassination and conspiracy to obstruct justice: You are charged with criminal collusion and abuse of power! (Two days later he finds himself arrested as an ememy of the state under martial law) If "Z" means that the "spirit" of freedom lives; so unfortunately does the spirit that would crush it. Thus, in this political thriller, Costa Gavras has produced a fable that restates the price freedom seems inevitably to exact...

Sharp, Fast Paced Thriller
Watching Z reminds the viewer of a train wreck. Facts, acting, storyline, plot, and intrigue are all thrown together into one strange conglomerate of film. Miraculously, when the dust settles, this wreck of a movie is one of the best political thrillers ever made.

Z chronicles the turmoil of Greek politics in the 1960's. The Cold War was at its peak, with Vietnam on Europe's mind. The communists and other assorted leftists were becoming increasingly powerful, leading to an energetic response by the military and police. The event that Z spotlights is the assassination of a leftist political dynamo, played very well by Yves Montand. The tension on the street, the simmering violence and official misconduct are all portrayed in Z. The feel and aura of a dangerously fractured Mediterranean nation are explosive and will not be ignored.

The movie reveals itself to the viewer at a rapid pace. The best role in this movie belongs to Jean-Louis Trintignant, who portrays the Examining Manistrate. It's his job to finalize the report concerning the assassination, which the Greek military police deem an "accident". The Magistrate does not except this conclusion, especially after consulting with the doctors who have examined the body. His investigation proceeds at a whip lash pace, as he ignores threats and favors thrown his way in order to assure his collusion. The trail of evidence quickly begins to trail upward, to the top of the Greek government. For that ride, we meet many dynamic characters and are treated to some real exciting police work. It doesn't exactly keep you guessing, the guilty parties are fairly obvious, but Z is a taut political thriller that delivers.

My one qualm with Z is the lack of a total picture concerning the situation. Z focuses on the crimes of the right while ignoring any responsibility on the part of the left. Glossed over is the Soviet supported communist uprising that occurred soon after World War II ended, a very brutal civil conflict that has polarized the nation ever since. Z could have been a bit more powerful if it showed that no side on the political spectrum had clean hands, that the solutions to the nations problems were a lot less cut and dry.

Metaphor for American intervention in other countries
I first saw this film in 1970 when I was a college student. In 2004, it retains its relevance to me as an Amercian. A few years after this film was released, the CIA intervened in Chile when they assisted in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Communist president. Sometime before that the U.S. government had enabled the Shah of Iran to come to power in that country. In the 1980s, the U.S. supported insurgents against another democratically-elected Communist in Central America. Now the U.S. has militarily overthrown the leader of Iraq, is maintaining an occupation force in that nation, and is seeking to establish a new government there. So this movie -- which was about a 1962 military coup in Greece -- has significant meaning for Americans. This is not a particularly well-made film technically. There are several scenes where cameras and the boom are visible. The script is not very compelling, either. The actors are European veterans and the emotional power is great, leading to an unforgettable conclusion that violates the sensibilities of people that love freedom and democracy. These are the reasons, in my opinion, that this film won an Academy Award and resonated with the American intelligentsia. "Z" is not pleasant viewing but is an antidote to airheadedness in a time when most Americans are more concerned with liposuction, botox injections and push-up bras than national intervention in other nations.

Let's set the record straight.
The "experts" commenting here advise avoiding the English "DUBBED" version.

The ENGLISH VERSION was filmed in parallel with the french version (The use of french was necessitated to have it distributed in Europe as the original Greek would have limited draw.) The incident took place here in Thessaloniki Greece, where I live).

All the performers were fluent in English and you can recognize their voices.

It was not "Dubbed" (watch their lips "expert").

Now those of you who know where the original English language version can be found, speak up.

It is an excellent film and deserves to be experienced. (Read the book.)

Z--he still lives!
The 1969 Oscar winner for best foreign film is based on the 1963 assassination of Greek communist politician and doctor Gregorio Lambrekis. The opening sequence of first the agriculture minister equating mildew with communism and the Greek chief of police advocating the indoctrination of the population to become healthy elements of society loyal to God and the crown instead of isms like socialism, anarchism, imperialism, or communism describes the stranglehold the right has in Greece.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is denied a hall for its meeting due to the hall owner threatened by right-wing elements so the peace people have no choice but to hold at the Employee Union Hall, with loudspeakers outside for the benefit of the crowd outside. The leader of the movement (Yves Montand) decides to carry on with the speech despite learning of a threat on his life. He finishes his speech and is crossing the square to demand the police quell the seething rioters when he is struck in the head from someone in the back of a lorry. He is operated on but dies. His death not only makes him a martyr among his supporters, but causes a coverup to ensue. A determined photojournalist and the inquest judge assigned to the case soon realize the extent of the conspiracy, a conspiracy that goes up to the top.

The journalist's relentless digging leads to identifying members of CROC, the Christian Royalist Organization against Communism, a secret society the cops use to keep order at parades. The leader of CROC says, "Abroad, some say make love, not war! We say, 'Make war on corruption and liberalism, and on indiscriminate liberty!'" Well, the liberty that was banned when the junta took over included pop music, intellectual books, and the letter "Z", which was the ancient Greek symbol for "he is alive."Basically, they are the counterdemonstrators, the agent provocateurs who beat up the peaceful disarmament people.

The dispassionate inquest judge is simply doing his job, wanting just the facts, but with each piece of evidence or testimony that comes, he realizes that an incident involving two drunks becomes a death due to a blow by a club, and then assassination. He is under pressure from the attorney general, who feels that a prolonged inquest gives the peace movement fuel for subversive action.

Criticized for being talky, Z is actually an effective, suspenseful political drama that is a snapshot of the times. The assassination of the senator mirrors that of JFK. Witnesses intimidated, killed, and guilty participants having doctored stories from their paymasters. One witness though, bravely tells his testimony from his hospital bed even though he has been beaten. A leading communist is chased down the streets by a car.

The Cold War paranoia and hysteria of anti-communism is presented here, taken to the extreme of equating disarmament with communism. And groups like CROC are still alive today. The CIA-sponsored KOPASSUS was behind the 1998 riots in Indonesia.

Contrast these speeches, first from the senator: "Why do our ideas provoke such violence? Why don't they like peace?... The other [groups] are nationalists used by the government and don't upset our Judas allies who betray us. We lack hospitals and doctors, [while] half the budget goes to military expenditures. ... A stockpile of A-bombs is equal to a ton of dynamite per person on Earth. They want to prevent us from reading the obvious conclusion based on the simple truths, but we will speak out. We serve the people and the people need the truth." As Greece was the father of democracy, one can only think, "Has Greece come to this?"

Director Costa-Gavras's searing indictment of the CIA-sponsored Greek military junta under the colonels from 1967 to 1973 is the prototype of political assassination thrillers, something that may have served as a model for Oliver Stone's JFK. Indeed, the opening disclaimer states that "any similarities to actual persons or events is deliberate." The bottom line is that the CIA, the extreme right, and the military-industrial complex is also blameworthy.

One of the more radical peace members says of his ailing leader "the brain's dead, but the heart's still beating. I won't quit," invoking the spirit of any movement fighting for peace and justice. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Brilliant and dramatic histo-pic . A Pontecorvo masterpiece
Is it possible to craft a mirror of life on film?

Pontecorvo(director)transports us back to the early 19th century, to participate in the struggle for economic, political and social power over a Carribean sugar colony. The genius of this film is in the questions it raises in our own minds, and there are many.

This film does not storm the senses but plays gently to the mind, the eye and the ear. Brando gives us a rogueish, taciturn yet tragic hero, while Morricone weaves a rich musical blanket which is both enigmatic and beautiful and which comforts us through the varied scenes. We are methodically taken through the processes of revolution and insurrection by Pontecorvo. Yet the film ultimately leaves us stunned by the profound irony of how man relates to fellow man.

A stunning, seamless masterpiece hidden by its brilliance!
Is it possible to craft a mirror of life on film?

Pontecorvo(director)transports us back to the 18th century, to participate in the struggle for economic, political and social power over a Carribean sugar colony. The genius of this film is in the questions it raises in our own minds, and there are many.

This film does not storm the senses but plays gently to the mind the eye and the ear. Brando gives us a rogueish,taciturn yet tragic hero, while Morricone weaves a rich musical blanket which is both enigmatic and beautiful and which comforts us through the varied scenes. We are methodically taken through the processes of revolution and insurrection by Pontecorvo yet the film ultimately leaves us stunned with the profound irony of how man relates to fellow man.

Storytelling at its best, and Marlon too!!...
Gillo Pontecorvo's epic tale of Brazilian slavery (as kindly performed by the portuguese...) is a little masterpiece in itself.

The story is well told and its crude details are shocking even by today's standards.

Marlon Brando plays a rich British tradesman who's doing business with local authorities. In the meanwhile, he slowly discovers the horrors and the agony of black slaves being handled as cattle or worse.

This movie deals with all the terrifying facets of slavery and its evil and nefandous effects on human beings, never forgetting to mention the great hypocrisy with which white handlers treated such phenomenon.

I am still waiting to finally watch the "entire" movie "as it was meant to be seen", ergo in widescreen.
Being there just the VHS edition, one loses out on many details the theatrical version had.

Many Brando's movies are still only to be seen on VHS and not on DVD and one in particular, "On the Waterfront", is still only released in Full Screen instead of its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

His own movie "One-Eyed Jacks" has only been released by unknown labels, instead of receiving the royal treatment by a major studio.

Also, "The Appaloosa" has only appeared once in digital form, paired with "My Name is Nobody" (this alone should speak volumes for how much respect the studios in Hollywood have for one of the best actors that Tinsletown ever produced).
Since then nothing, just the VHS version.

Instead they preferred to release "The Countess of Hong Kong", which in my view, is one of the worst movies of Marlon Brando, not to speak of Charles Chaplin.

Insult upon insult, this may well be the revenge Hollywood is taking on his "rebel son", forgetting that if they still exist, the owe it, in the majority of cases to such "rebels" who, with their immense creativity have kept this monster alive.

Did Hollywood deserve them? Seeing how the studios work nowadays, I would say no. Once they are gone they are gone.
Pity. All the greats are almost all gone.
There are still a few left. Very few.
When they too are gone, who will take their place?

Don't tell me that Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, or even Leonardo DiCaprio, will ever be able to stand a comparison to a Gregory Peck, Peter Ustinov, Henry Fonda, Richard Harris or Marlon Brando?

It would be the final insult to their memory and their impeccable work legacy they have left us with.

But then again, respect, as Robert Shaw playing Henry VIII in "A Man for All Seasons" correctly stated (courtesy of Robert Bolt), is like water in the desert and there are people, who follow anything that moves.

Let's finally honor such great men and women who left us so much in their lifetime and beyond, by finally releasing all their movies on DVD.

Forget the "Spidermen", the "Star Wars" (boring anyway) and many other comic strip based movies and let's go back to real literature and real storytelling.

We are not all morons out here after all.
There are still many people who are still used to read a good book. Anyway, many more than the bunch of bozos, who direct the movie studios nowadays and who seem to have an everage cultural level of a babboon in love.

strong morality play
This underated flik belongs not only on DVD but on a viewers choice list so folks will view it. Portevaco weaves a tragedy of greek proportions while at the same time showing us that tragedy really does not belong to the greeks but to the denizens of such places as the island of Queimada in the sweep of history. This blistering and unblinking morality play is dominated by Brando, who gives one of his most solid performances,but the ensemble of lords, peasant warriors, and interested colonialists, pull together as a team to provide superb period piece acting. The cinematography and casual casting is beyond brilliant, as attested by the realism of the ending credit screens. The people working on the dock look like they must have 100 years ago, that image burns into your brain. Effective stuff!

I loved it
I watched it. Rewinded the tape and just watched it again. Then did it a third time. I have never done something like that ever.

Its a brilliant film. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Low-key but interesting.
Bernardo Bertolucci entered the 80's with this low-key offering, a tale of an industrialist father whose son is kidnapped by members of the terrorist left and held for ransom. An air of melancholy permeates the whole picture as not only does the father have to pay the ransom, but he may also have to sell off his cheese factory to do so.

'Tragedy Of A Ridiculous Man' however is not that easy to digest on first viewing. It dramatizes a period of recent Italian history (terrorist kidnappings of the 70's) and if you're not particularly au fait with this history then the background to the film becomes a little difficult to comprehend. The political sympathies of the film are not as clear cut as in other Bertolucci films such as 'Before The Revolution' and '1900'. The main character is a factory owner who also feels enormous sympathy for his workers. At some points in the film you sense that the people of the factory are his true family as he seemed to have received little love from his wife and son. The idea then of selling his factory to pay for his son's ransom becomes the central dilemma of the film. What does he care most about, his son's life or the economic well-being of his workers. Primo wants to believe that his son is dead because this takes away the difficulty of deciding. I think he also suspects that his son was in kahoots with the kidnappers and wanted to test his father's devotion to his workers.

Not Completely A "Tragedy"
It's not completely a tragedy that this movie was ever made, but, it's pretty close lol. This is not one of the great movies by Bertolucci. It's very pale and bland when compared to "The Conformist" (Which is my favorite movie by him), "The Last Emperor", and "Last Tango In Paris". But, because I have so much admiration for his films, it's hard for me to say I dislike his movies. It has to be really bad for me to give a Bertolucci movie 1 or 2 stars. It has to be at the low caliber of "The Sheltering Sky", or "Stealing Beauty". Bertolucci wrote and directed this attempt at a comedy\drama about a man, Primo (Ugo Tognazzi) who's son is kidnapped. He sells his cheese factory to only then suspect that his son was not really kidnapped after all, but is probably "in" with the kidnappers, despite what his wife, Barbara (Anouk Aimee) tells him. Hence the title of this movie, "A Ridiculous Man". Is primo really ridiculous for doubting that his son was kidnapped? At first I would guess someone would say yes, but, as the film goes on and we learn about this father & son relationship we start to think to ourselves, you know what, maybe he's not wrong after all. OK, I feel it's only fair that I tell other people the bad and good sides of this film. The movie does drag. It becomes very slow and even confusing at times. It's very low key. Unless your a Bertolucci fan, you'll have a very hard time getting interested in the movie. If you've never seen a Bertolucci film, please don't start here. Go out and rent or buy "The Grim Reaper", "Last Tango In Paris", anything but this! Now the good side. With every Bertolucci film, you have to respect his directing. He truly is one of the greats. The music by Ennio Morricone is wonderful to listen and adds an impact to certain scenes. The cinematography by Carlo Di Palma hits his usual high standard. The acting isn't bad either. I do wish though that there was more scenes for Aimee but otherwise it's fine. And finally as with every other film he's made Bertolucci has his two most famous traits in this movie. Number one - All of his films are visually colorful. Many of his films take us someplace new. Number two - All of his films are very sexual think of "Last Tango In Paris", "1900", and his more recent "Stealing Beauty". So in short Bertolucci fans will get what they expect from him, but, others might be disappointed with this film. Infact I don't know if anyone does like this film. I'm the only person reviewing it! Enjoy Bertolucci fans. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not for the kids!
The movie stars Kirk Douglas and is based on a book by Jules Verne, but parents expecting another 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA will be in for a surprise. It is very violent and includes things like torture and a gang-rape that are totally inappropriate for kids. Adults will find a well-acted but slow moving adventure story. The scenery is beautiful but the movie has a low budget look and feel. And the DVD has no bonus features, not even the theatrical trailer. Pricey for a DVD with no bells and whistles.

Very Entertaining
Highly enjoyable movie in which Kirk Douglas is a lighthouse keeper on an island at the tip of South America. Yul Brynner plays a blood thirsty Pirate who eventually hunts Kirk Douglas down at this deserted outpost. Very Entertaining tale in which finally, a pirate movie where they arnt all singing and dancing. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A grand effort
"Rocco and his Brothers" is one of Visconti's most famous films, yet it seems to fall flat. Four brothers and their mother journey to northern Italy to join their brother Vincenzo. While there, one amazing even after another occurs to test the bonds of the family.

The film is divided into five sections, one for each of the brothers yet the film really centers around Rocco and Simone. Simone plays the stereotypical bad boy. He comes to the north and begins to see a prostitute and to steal. His criminal impulses lead him to rape his ex-girlfriend (who at the time is dating Rocco) which seems completely out of character. Yes he has a bad streak but the scene seems contrived. He rapes the girl to hurt noth her and Rocco and then proceeds to punch Rocco to the point of unconsciousness. Up until this point he seems more of a rebel and than suddenly he turns into a hard-core criminal. Rocco's character isn't much better. He is depicted in a saintly matter and while this is purposeful, he saintliness is so extreme that one gets aggravated with the character. He constantly forgives Simone and constantly "turns his other cheek". In short, all the character are extremely stereotyped and are manipulated to fit the script instead of being believable.

The only thing that saves the film in any way is the acting. The two main brothers, Simone and Rocco, and Nadia are all played remarkabley well inspite of the despicable script. Annie Girardot who plays Nadia puts in the best performance and makes the viewer wonder if she is the only sane person in all of Italy.

A very complex movie; hard to describe or rate
"Rocco and His Brothers" is certainly a grand movie. The acting is simply superb, especially that of Annie Girardot - her character is passionate, erotic and strong, exactly the kind of woman who can rouse such fatal feelings and change fates even though she's a prostitute.

I especially admire Visconti for being able to create such an accurate and vivid portrait of Italians. I could never understand their passions, their love-hate relationships, their family ties, honesty and betrayal being so close together. Which comes first - family or justness? In short, I don't think I'll ever be able to understand the way they lead their lives and their strange outlook on life. To an ordinary viewer, like me, most of the characters, ESPECIALLY Rocco, seem to be insane...

You'd probably like to know why I didn't give this truly unforgettable movie 5 stars. The answer is simple: it was difficult to watch. Painful almost. I found myself wishing I could kill one of the main characters more than half a time. There was no relief of tension. The movie was quite long. And - I simply cannot understand the way Italians live and treat each other. It's beyond me.

I'm glad I saw this movie; it had a great impact on me. However, it was so very 'heavy' I won't watch it again for a long time... but I will. Sometime.

Nice try
"Rocco and his Brothers" is one of Visconti's most famous films, yet it seems to fall flat. Four brothers and their mother journey to northern Italy to join their brother Vincenzo. While there, one amazing even after another occurs to test the bonds of the family.
The film is divided into five sections, one for each of the brothers yet the film really centers around Rocco and Simone. Simone plays the stereotypical bad boy. He comes to the north and begins to see a prostitute and to steal. His criminal impulses lead him to rape his ex-girlfriend (who at the time is dating Rocco) which seems completely out of character. Yes he has a bad streak but the scene seems contrived. He rapes the girl to hurt noth her and Rocco and then proceeds to punch Rocco to the point of unconsciousness. Up until this point he seems more of a rebel and than suddenly he turns into a hard-core criminal. Rocco's character isn't much better. He is depicted in a saintly matter and while this is purposeful, he saintliness is so extreme that one gets aggravated with the character. He constantly forgives Simone and constantly "turns his other cheek". In short, all the character are extremely stereotyped and are manipulated to fit the script instead of being believable. Visconti just tries to cram too much into one film and in doing so loses track of his characters.

The only thing that saves the film in any way is the acting. The two main brothers, Simone and Rocco, and Nadia are all played remarkabley well inspite of the despicable script. Annie Girardot who plays Nadia puts in the best performance and makes the viewer wonder if she is the only sane person in all of Italy.

All In The Family
For years now my favorite Luchino Visconti film has been "Ludwig". His grand sweeping epic. I've always felt that was his most ambitious film. True, Visconti has made other film that are great in their scope like "The Leopard", or "The Damned". But, none has touched me on such a personal level as "Ludwig", and then I saw this film. While, I admit, I don't think it's as grand as "Ludwig", "Rocco and his Brothers", is a powerful, emotional, saga.

Luchino Visconti is a director whom I've always had wonderful things to say about. He is one of my favorite directors of all time. And I always feel there is something to admire about all of his films, even those I may not be crazy about, I still found something good to say about them.

"Rocco and his Brothers" is a story about a family of five brothers and their mother who move from the country into the city. The brothers are played by Alain Delon (Rocco), Renato Salvatori (Simone), Spiros Focas (Vincenzo), Max Cartier (Ciro), & Rocco Vidolazzi (Luca). The movie creates little episodic chapters for each brother. Telling you briefly something about them, in about 30-40 minutes.

Now, the only fault I have with the film is, I feel it doesn't devote enough time to all the brothers. For instance characters like Ciro or Luca are not given much depth. Very little is known about them. The role of Vincezo is so-so, over-all, it is better than the other two brothers. What really makes the movie so wonderful are the three focal characters; Rocco (Delon), Simone (Salvatori) & Nadia (Annie Girardot) a woman of the streets who begins a love affair with Simone, and then starts a rival between two of the brothers, I honestly don't want to give too much away. But they have the best parts. It is because of them the movie has as much heart as it does. Visconti does an amazing job directing them. And it is because of the story-line concerning these three characters that I can "forgive" the film's short comings with the other characters.

Though the film is hard to find, just keep looking. It will all be worth it. I personally wouldn't recommend buying the film on vhs...if you have a dvd player, your better off buying the dvd... . I was lucky and saw the movie on TCM.

"Rocco and his Brothers" is a film Visconti fans should be pleased with. Those of us who have seen will never forget the impact it left on us the first time we saw it.

The rest of the cast includes; Katina Paxinou (Rosaria, the mother), Alessandra Panaro (Ciro's fiancess), and Claudia Cardinale (who plays Ginetta, Vincenzo's wife. She of course would be a major star appearing in other Visconti films like "Conversation Piece", and "The Leopard", also "Big Deal On Madonna Street" and Fellini's "8 1\2")

Bottom-line: One of Luchino Visconti's most absorbing dramas. A film of tremendous heart and passion. With standout performances by it's three lead stars.

SOUL MURDER
Luchino Visconti's Marxist take on the changing Italian society circa 1960 was one of the most controversial and influential movies of the early 60's. Like LA DOLCE VITA it caused a sensation in the US and made an instant, international star of Alain Delon. Visconti mixes Old Testament themes starting with the expulsion from Eden & Cain and Abel, throws in lots of Dostoyevsky & even some of Bunuel's VIRIDIANA. It's quite a stew but I never heard anyone say they were bored. As the mother Katina Paxinou who was Jean Simmons' vile governess in THE INHERITANCE chews up enough scenery for 10 movies. Annie Giradot playing a prostitute gives such a vibrant performance that you wonder why she appeared here in only 2 or 3 movies over the next 30 years. Alain Delon's Rocco is a beautiful Prince Myshkin but he's very bland. As Simone his immediate older brother Renato Salvatore exudes so much animal magnatism he may have you jumping out of your skin. When he seduces Rocco's middleaged employer (to rob her) half the audience wishes they were she. Giuseppe Rotunno's beautiful black & white cinematography often acts as a commentary on the action especially in the scenes of more than graphic violence. Nino Rota wrote the fine score. ... Read more

Description

In this classic Italian spoof, a gang of bungling burglars set their eyes on a local pawn shop, but the elaborate robbery never comes off.The would-be crooks--including a nearly senile safecracker--are too easily distracted by life's joys and passions.The silent-film intertitles and jazz score create a marvelous send-up of Hollywood caper films. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Genuinely funny movie
This movie is a classic comedy burglar caper. A collection of small time hoods gather to rob a pawn shop. Along the way, everything that could go wrong does in pretty hilarious fashion.

As other reviewers have mentioned, Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks" was clearly inspired by this film, so if you liked that one, you'll probably enjoy Madonna Street. I also agree with the problem with the subtitles flashing too quickly. All the more reason to try to get it on DVD - I found myself having to pause the frame just to read the subtitles. Despite this problem, this movie really is funny and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

Great Criterion release, but.......
I'm glad Criterion released this film, otherwise I probably never would have heard of it. Yes, it's a great comedy, but the few more serious moments are a nice contrast, and not too corny. With the music and visual gags, I thought Woody Allen was going to appear any second (watch this for influences on "Small Time Crooks"). The reason I am giving it 4 stars is not for the movie itself, but because of the subtitles. I hate to get picky or get dark on Criterion, but sometimes the subtitles flash on the screen without nearly enough to time to read them, and that just isn't necessary in most cases. Most often there would be enough time to keep them on the screen longer before another one comes up. Maybe it's not so bad, it'll just make me watch the movie again and try to catch a few more funny lines next time...Very enjoyable film!

So much better than "Welcome to Collinwood"
One of the best comedies ever made. A bumbling, utterly inept group of crooks resolve upon a seemingly simple heist. They fail in spectacular fashion. The scene in which Toto demonstrates the different methods for cracking a safe is unforgettably hilarious. A tour de force of casting, including Toto, Mastroianni, Gassman and Claudia Cardinale in her first major role.

As a shocked Italian media reported, "Welcome to Collinwood" is nothing more than a remake of this remarkable film. As is so often the case, the original far surpasses the remake.

Strange facts
#1 The actors play characters from all over Italy, yet almost none of them gets to play a character with an accent from the actor's own part of the country!
#2 Can you guess which of the principal actors was, in fact, a barista in the bar where the director used to go for his coffee?

There is so much more!
This film is sadly one of the few opportunities most Americans will have to see the great Italian comedian named Toto. Toto is to Italy what Bob Hope is to America. He starred in over 100 films, most of which are still played regularly on Italian television today. I discovered him myself only three years ago when I moved to Naples. His old B&W films always have me smiling and laughing at his comic genius. I've wanted to share these films with family in the states, but to my surprise "Big Deal on Madonna Street" seems the only subtitled one available! I've seen this particular film on late night TV and it is quite good as other reviews have already stated. It's a wonderful addition to any film buff's collection. Yet, perhaps someday Toto's other films will make it across the Atlantic. Then you can laugh too as Toto sells the famous Trevi fountain in Rome to an unsuspecting American tourist!

NOTE: In this film Toto plays Dante the retired burglar.

Excellent Italian comedy
I Soliti Ignoti- I absolutely love this movie. It is one great italian comedy with a brilliant cast at its best in portraying the simplistic and realistic roles of petty criminals. Because of the nature of the characters and their ridiculous behaviour in the proceedings of their scheme to rob a pawnshop, the viewers won't be able to refrain from laughter and enjoy this gang's hopeless adventure. For anyone who loves this movie as much as I do, I recommend to see its sequel made a year later by Nanni Loy: "Audace Colpo dei Soliti Ignoti", with only the absence of Mastroianni but the addition of Nino Manfredi- Sure it's not as great as the first, but having liked these characters so much it is natural that one would want to see them back in action with yet another "scientifically" schemed project along with all their mishaps as usual...and of course, a little more of the unfolding romance of the couple portrayed by Claudia Cardinale and Renato Salvatori. Unfortunately this movie will be hard to find, and it is without subtitles. (Do not confuse this with a third sequel made 20 yrs later which, by the way, I do not recommend at all.) For anyone who hasn't seen Big Deal On Madonna St, please do see it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not for the kids!
The movie stars Kirk Douglas and is based on a book by Jules Verne, but parents expecting another 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA will be in for a surprise. It is very violent and includes things like torture and a gang-rape that are totally inappropriate for kids. Adults will find a well-acted but slow moving adventure story. The scenery is beautiful but the movie has a low budget look and feel. And the DVD has no bonus features, not even the theatrical trailer. Pricey for a DVD with no bells and whistles.

Very Entertaining
Highly enjoyable movie in which Kirk Douglas is a lighthouse keeper on an island at the tip of South America. Yul Brynner plays a blood thirsty Pirate who eventually hunts Kirk Douglas down at this deserted outpost. Very Entertaining tale in which finally, a pirate movie where they arnt all singing and dancing. ... Read more