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The Walls of Malapaga (1949)

Le mura di Malapaga (original title)
| Drama , Romance | 26 March 1950 (USA)
The Walls of Malapaga Poster
A French fugitive arrives in Genoa, where he becomes entangled with an Italian woman and her daughter.

Director:

René Clément

Writers:

Jean Aurenche (adaptation), Pierre Bost (adaptation) | 3 more credits »

Stars:

Jean Gabin, Isa Miranda, Vera Talchi | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
4 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview:
Jean Gabin ... Pierre Arrignon
Isa Miranda ... Marta Manfredini
Vera Talchi Vera Talchi ... Cecchina, la fille de Marta / Cecchina, figlia di Marta
Andrea Checchi ... Giuseppe, le mari de Marta / Giuseppe, marito di Marta
Robert Dalban ... Le marin / Il marinaio
Ave Ninchi Ave Ninchi ... Maria, la voisine / Maria, la vicina
Checco Rissone Checco Rissone ... Le faux-monnayeur / il contraffattore
Renato Malavasi Renato Malavasi ... Le dentiste / Il dentista
Carlo Tamberlani Carlo Tamberlani ... Le commissaire / Il commissario
Vittorio Duse ... L'agent / l'agente
See full cast »
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Storyline

A French fugitive arrives in Genoa, where he becomes entangled with an Italian woman and her daughter.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

italy | male female relationship | waitress | stowaway | starting over | See All (14) »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

Italian | French

Release Date:

26 March 1950 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Walls of Malapaga See more »

Filming Locations:

Genoa, Liguria, Italy See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Italia Produzione,Francinex See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Optiphone)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa #5706 delivered on 19 September 1949. See more »

Connections

Featured in Le ciné-club de Radio-Canada: Film présenté: Au-delà des grilles (1956) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Even Aficionados of Neo-Realism WonÕt Remember It
8 August 2002 | by PolitiCom – See all my reviews

Although highly regarded at the time, it also has to be one of the most easily forgotten French films of the late 1940Õs.

This gritty, neo-realist tale set in post-war Genoa is a vehicle for the two stars, Isa Miranda and Jean Gabin , but is bereft of compelling dialogue or dramatic content.

The story line is sparse: Gabin, on the run for murdering his lover in France, disembarks at the port of Genoa seeking treatment

for a toothache. He encounters a young girl, Vera Talchi, who helps him find a dentist. After being pick pocketed, he meets, Miranda, the girlÕs mother, who serves him a meal at the trattoria where she works.

Quickly they become attracted to each other, she takes him home and they fall in love. The daughter becomes jealous of the new relationship. Meanwhile, the police began to close in on Gabin.

Rene Clement, better known for Purple Noon and is Paris Burning, scored not only the Best Director award at Cannes in 1949 but also an honorary Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1950. In addition, Isa Miranda was named Best Actress at the Cannes Festival..
15 of 23 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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