Cops and Robbers (1951)
"Guardie e ladri" (original title)

Directors:

Mario Monicelli, Steno

Writers:

Vitaliano Brancati (dialogue), Aldo Fabrizi (dialogue),

Stars:

Totò, Aldo Fabrizi, Pina Piovani

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Totò	...	Ferdinando Esposito
Aldo Fabrizi	...	Brigadiere Bottoni
Pina Piovani	...	Esposito's Wife
Ave Ninchi	...	Giovanna, Bottoni's Wife
Rossana Podestà	...	Bottoni's Daughter
Ernesto Almirante	...	Esposito's Father
Carlo Delle Piane	...	Libero, Esposito's Son
William Tubbs	...	Mr. Locuzzo, the Tourist (as William Thubbs)
Gino Leurini	...	Esposito's Brother-in-law
Mario Castellani	...	Amilcare
Aldo Giuffrè	...	Esposito's Partner
Armando Guarnieri
Pietro Carloni	...	Commissario
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Aldo Alimonti
Riccardo Antolini

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

hunger | role reversal | farce | scam | slum | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English French

Release Date:

29 November 1951 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Gendarmes et voleurs

Company Credits

Production Co:

De Laurentiis, Golden Film, Lux Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 10313 delivered on 23-10-1951.

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Connections

Remade as Politseiskiye i vory (1997)

User Reviews

It is an entertaining and good comedy by Monicelli that makes us laugh and reflect.

"Esposito" (Toto) is a thief who cons tourists in Rome, but has the bad luck to return to coincide with one of his victims. Then they began a long chase by the police "Bottoni" (Aldo Fabrizzi) that finally was stopped. But in an oversight, "Esposito" manages to flee. Bottoni's superiors advise that, if it fails to capture the con man, will be without work. So "Bottoni" to capture, will enter the family circle "Esposito".

In the beginning, the director Mario Monicelli signed several films in collaboration with Steno, already showing his great talent for comedy, as in this case. Despite the comic tone that logically chairs the film, we must also highlight the successful scenes that it offers, about postwar Italian society, so the script is showing us the U.S. aid, poverty in urban suburbs, the economic troubles are subjected to destitute families, etc. Thus, the more inquires "Bottoni" on the "Esposito", most closely identified with their problems, and help pay interest at the beginning of his family, ends up becoming an honest solidarity.

I highlight two interesting scenes, a very funny, when (Carlo Delle Piane), "Espósito's son" read the writing he does at school about his dad, and talk with "Bottoni" and "Esposito"in the portal, it is the key scene that sums up the feelings of the two protagonists.

The film has a successful screenplay and great performances, with the famous Toto, and Aldo Fabrizi. Monicelli's hand is felt in the opening sequence, very witty and well told, and masterfully finished with a family meal.