Mafioso (1962)

Director:

Alberto Lattuada

Writers:

Rafael Azcona (writer)
Bruno Caruso (story)

Release Date:

25 October 1962 (Italy)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot:

When a good-natured factory supervisor living in Milan with his Northern wife returns to his native Sicily, a decades' old oath forces him to fulfill a nightmarish obligation.

Plot Keywords:

Sicilian | Sicily | Factory | Supervisor | Vacation

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Alberto Sordi	...	Antonio Badalamenti
Norma Bengell	...	Marta
Gabriella Conti	...	Rosalia
Ugo Attanasio	...	Don Vincenzo
Cinzia Bruno	...	Donatella
Katiuscia	...	Patrizia (as Katiusca Piretti)
Armando Tine	...	Dr. Zanchi
Lilly Bistrattin	...	Dr. Zanchi's Secretary
Michèle Bailly	...	Young Baroness
Francesco Lo Briglio	...	Don Calogero
Carmelo Oliviero	...	Don Liborio
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stefano Benigno
Paolo Cuccia
Hugh Hurd
Vincenzo Norvese
Giuseppe Stagnitti
John Topa
Saverio Turiello

Also Known As:

Mafioso (USA)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Compagnia Cinematografica Antonio Cervi

Quotes:

Antonio Badalamenti: [looking ahead on the ferry] Look over there!
[enthusiastically]
Antonio Badalamenti: Sicily! Island of the sun and Cyclops! The inspiration to all the poets!
[noticing his wife's lack of enthusiasm]
Antonio Badalamenti: What's the matter, Marta?
Marta: [wistfully] Nothing. I was just watching Italy fade away.

Movie Connections:

References Boccaccio '70 (1962)

black and white

I've never seen black and white film look so rich, sensuous and stunningly attractive; Cinematographer Armando Nannuzzi hit the nail on the head, creating a very rich and vibrant looking film. At times my mind naturally filled in the colors due to the crisp clarity of all the images, both of natural, rural scenes, and modern, city/industrial settings.

Art director Carlo Egidi masterfully blends the surrounding background of everyday life with his set designs and costumes so that it is impossible to separate the two; truly a mirrored recreation of the day in the life of a modern Sicilian during mid-60's. Each scene is so thought out, and crafted so well that at times their is an almost alien effect, due to the deep endearing political and social dynamics which has become lost in our culture and films today in the 21st century. This effect at times appears exaggerated due to its robust social nature, yet does the job in creating a warm, stunning and beautiful feel to this film.