The Organizer (1963)
"I compagni" (original title)

The story of exploited textile factory workers in Turin, Italy at the turn of the century and their beginnings of their fight for better working conditions. Professor Sinigaglia (Marcello ... See full summary »

Director:

Mario Monicelli

Writers:

Agenore Incrocci (story), Furio Scarpelli (story),

Stars:

Marcello Mastroianni, Renato Salvatori, Gabriella Giorgelli

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Professor Sinigaglia
Renato Salvatori	...	Raoul
Gabriella Giorgelli	...	Adele
Folco Lulli	...	Pautasso
Bernard Blier	...	Martinetti
Raffaella Carrà	...	Bianca
François Périer	...	Maestro Di Meo
Vittorio Sanipoli	...	Baudet
Mario Pisu	...	Manager
Kenneth Kove	...	Luigi
Annie Girardot	...	Niobe
Edda Ferronao	...	Maria
Anna Di Silvio	...	Gesummina
Roberto Diamanti
Elvira Tonelli	...	Cesarina

Storyline

The story of exploited textile factory workers in Turin, Italy at the turn of the century and their beginnings of their fight for better working conditions. Professor Sinigaglia (Marcello Mastroianni) is sent by (presumably) the Socialists to help them organize their strike and give form to their struggle.

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Plot Keywords:

socialist | italy | factory | turin italy | strike | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France Yugoslavia

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

1963 (Yugoslavia)

Also Known As:

The Organizer

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Film, Vides Cinematografica, Méditerrannée Cinéma Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

A wonderful film about not giving up on solidarity

Titled "I Compagni" (The Comrades), 1964 American release of this controversial Italian film was as The Organizer, no doubt to avoid an anti-Communist reviewer backlash. While Marcello Mastroianni's Professor Sinigaglia endures some embarrassing indignities, he overcomes them. Working-girl refugee Niobe (wonderfully portrayed by Annie Girardot) helps him both emotionally and nutritionally. This is a wonderful film about not giving up on solidarity. I hold it in higher esteem than Norma Rae, one of the very few other films about working people organizing. The film suffers from being viewed as a not-so-funny comedy because of its over-individualized title. For many years, it was difficult to get a print for showing. Bosley Crowther favorably reviewed it for New York Times 7 May 1964. There is a review in Film Quarterly, Autumn 1964, which I have not seen.