IMDb >
I soliti ignoti (1958)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsI soliti ignoti (1958) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 9) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
22 November 1960 (USA)
more
Plot:
A motley quintet of inept small-time thieves bungle the burglary of a local pawnshop in this Italian farce. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 3 wins
more
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Who are these guys anyway?
more (14 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Vittorio Gassman | ... | Peppe il pantera | |
| Renato Salvatori | ... | Mario Angeletti | |
| Memmo Carotenuto | ... | Cosimo | |
| Rossana Rory | ... | Norma | |
| Carla Gravina | ... | Nicoletta | |
| Claudia Cardinale | ... | Carmelina | |
| Carlo Pisacane | ... | Capannelle | |
| Tiberio Murgia | ... | Michele Ferribotte | |
| Gina Rovere | ... | Teresa, wife of Tiberio | |
| Gina Amendola | ... | Mario's 'Mother' | |
| Elvira Tonelli | ... | Assunta | |
| Elena Fabrizi | ... | Signora Ada (as Elisa Fabrizi) | |
| Pasquale Misiano | ... | Massimo | |
| Renato Terra | ... | Eladio | |
| Aldo Trifiletti | ... | Fernando, doorkeeper |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Mario Monicelli wanted to call its movie "Le Madame", and only in a second moment changed it into "I Soliti Ignoti" (Usual Unknowns). Le Madame is an Italian slang for Policemen.
more
Quotes:
Capannelle:
Tell me, do you know a guy called Mario who lives around here?
Boy playing soccer: There are a thousand Marios around here.
Capannelle: Yes, but this one is a thief.
Boy playing soccer: There are still a thousand.
more
Boy playing soccer: There are a thousand Marios around here.
Capannelle: Yes, but this one is a thief.
Boy playing soccer: There are still a thousand.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in I soliti ignoti vent'anni dopo (1987)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (14 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for I soliti ignoti (1958)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Welcome to Collinwood | Ocean's Eleven | Ladri di biciclette | Du rififi chez les hommes | Caccia alla volpe |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb Italy section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |






As is typical in most Italian comedies, Monicelli has taken a cup of post war Italy realism and stirred in a cup of scenes from the human condition along with a dash of physical comedy which makes 'Big Deal On Madonna Street' a bittersweet cake we all can enjoy.
Like DeSica and Visconti, Monicelli uses post war Italy as the atmosphere in which these characters find themselves trying to eke out their lives. The recurring Italian film maker's theme of man against a complicated, bureaucratic life is no more evident than here. Throughout the film, the characters impressively quote Italian law by chapter and verse however this does not help them as they all have spent time in jail. The absurdity of knowledge without benefit of improvement is a another theme used. As Toto waxes eloquently regarding the sundry ways to break into a safe (one which the film goer is led to believe he knows nothing about), these men attempt to gain knowledge which they believe will deliver the big score. However even with knowing the apartment is empty, the type of safe the valuables are in and the way to gain access to the safe, their plan is flawed by their inability to execute what seems to them to be a fool proof blue print for success.
While Monicelli's themes ring as clear as the bell that has Peppe il pantera (Gassman) on the canvas, the characterizations of this band of misfits are classic. A stuttering, would be fighter (Gassman), and an out-of-work photographer who has sold his camera to survive (Mastroianni)lead the crew. The scenes played between Gassman's 'everything's easy' attitude and Mastroianni's inquisitiveness provide the viewer with hilarious cat and mouse verbal trade-offs.
In the end, 'Big Deal On Madonna Street' strikes a chord for viewers because we have all felt, at times, completely helpless by the absurdity of life and our pursuit for 'the prize' that we perceive will deliver us from our situation. However like this crew at the end of the film, we wake up every morning and realize that it's back to work to grind out another day.