'Sciuscià' (Ragazzi) (1946)

Director:

Vittorio De Sica

Writers:

Sergio Amidei (writer)
Adolfo Franci (writer)

Release Date:

26 August 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

At a track near Rome, shoeshine boys are watching horses run. Two of the boys Pasquale, an orphan, and Giuseppe...

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Fortune Teller | Prison | Orphan | Black Market

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins

Cast

Franco Interlenghi	...	Pasquale Maggi
Rinaldo Smordoni	...	Giuseppe Filippucci
Annielo Mele	...	Raffaele
Bruno Ortenzi	...	Arcangeli
Emilio Cigoli	...	Staffera
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pacifico Astrologo	...	Vittorio
Maria Campi	...	Palmist
Antonio Carlino	...	L'Abruzzese
Angelo D'Amico	...	Siciliano
Francesco De Nicola	...	Ciriola
Enrico De Silva	...	Giorgio
Leo Garavaglia	...	Inspector
Antonio Lo Nigro	...	Righetto
Anna Pedoni	...	Nannarella
Gino Saltamerenda	...	Il panza
Irene Smordoni	...	Giuseppe's mother
Peppino Spadaro	...	Lawyer Bonavino (as Giuseppe Spadaro)

Also Known As:

Sciuscià (Italy) (short title)
Shoe Shine (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
Shoe-Shine (USA)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian | English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2006) | UK:A (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | West Germany:16 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 (1953)

Company:

Societa Cooperativa Alfa Cinematografica

Trivia:

The title is a Napulitan corruption of the English word "shoe-shiner."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Il tassinaro (1983)

Drama, innocence and tenderness by Vittorio de Sica

In Rome for post-war during the allied occupation, two young shoe shine dream bought a horse. The only way to get the money is using the broad black market, the result of hunger and unemployment. However, the two boys does not have luck, and are arrested and sent to prison. It is an exciting film, written by Cesare Zavattini and Sergio Amidei.. Directed by Vittorio de Sica, is his first important work. Debuted in Italy on April 27 1946, 10 months after the completion of the WWII in Europe is rewarded, in addition, with a nomination to a Oscar (screenplay) and the granting of an honorary Oscar, the first to receive a film abroad. The action takes place in Rome and surrounding area, in the early months of 1946.Vittorio de Sica, after 6 years of experience in the direction of cinema, creates a dramatic but dazzling and very tender.. Develops the narration in terms documentalists, with the purpose of show without artifice and with credibility a tragic reality. With respect and affection is left captivated by the innocence, simplicity and spontaneity natural of some children faced with a tragic fate, and some people of sensitivities broken by years of war and despair. The work is a splendid portrait of the children of the post-war orphans of parents, affections, hospitality, understanding and support. It is a beautiful and devastating testimony spot with emotion that spreads and a pain content. The photography, of Anchise Brizzi is very carefully, and the music by Alessandro College ("bicycle Thieves", De Sica, 1948), is very beautiful and emotional. It is a movie worthy of view.