I Vitelloni (1953)

A character study of five young men at crucial turning points in their lives in a small town in Italy.

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini (story), Ennio Flaiano (story) (as Ennio Flajano)

Stars:

Alberto Sordi, Franco Fabrizi, Franco Interlenghi

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Franco Interlenghi	...	Moraldo Rubini
Alberto Sordi	...	Alberto
Franco Fabrizi	...	Fausto Moretti
Leopoldo Trieste	...	Leopoldo Vannucci
Riccardo Fellini	...	Riccardo
Leonora Ruffo	...	Sandra Rubini (as Eleonora Ruffo)
Jean Brochard	...	Francesco Moretti
Claude Farell	...	Olga
Carlo Romano	...	Michele Curti
Enrico Viarisio	...	Signor Rubini
Paola Borboni	...	Signora Rubini
Lída Baarová	...	Giulia Curti (as Lida Baarowa)
Arlette Sauvage	...	La sconosciuta del cinema
Vira Silenti	...	Gisella
Maja Niles	...	Caterina (as Maja Nipora)

Storyline

Fausto Moretti, having seduced Sandra Rubini, the sister of his friend and companion Moraldo Rubini, is forced to marry her. After their honeymoon, he takes a job as a salesman of religious objects in a small shop. He isn't changed by his marriage and still looks for women, with his friends, when and where they can find them. He even tries to seduce the wife of his boss and is fired. After each episode, Sandra forgives him. He and his friends of similar temperament are content to be idle, chase girls and leave the work and job-hunting to others. After spending the night away from home with a girl, Sandra cannot forgive anymore and runs off with their child. Fausto and his friends search all over for them, fearing the worst.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | friend | girl | small town | religious object | 

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Taglines:

"We are the hollow men in this last of meeting places we grope together and avoid speech. Gathered on this beach of the torrid river." - used by permission from THE HOLLOW MEN by T.S. Eliot

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

7 November 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Vitelloni

Filming Locations:

Piazza delle Erbe, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,790, 14 November 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$97,944, 28 March 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cité Films, Peg-Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part for 'Sergio Natali' was originally offered to the great Italian director, 'Vittorio de Sica'. He politely declined as he was concerned that the character's homosexuality might mark the director himself as a homosexual.

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Goofs

When Sandra is called up to receive the 'Miss Mermaid' sash, she is on the left of the screen, to the right of the compere. As the actress comes up to present the sash, Sandra is seen standing on the compere's left. But when the actress presents the sash, Sandra is back on the left, to the right of the compere.

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Quotes

Sergio Natali: [to Leopoldo and his mates, who have gathered at Natali's dressing room to visit him] Forgive the candle. In these second-rate theaters, they always steal the light bulbs. May I offer you a cigarette? They're domestic, you know. American cigarettes are very bad for you.

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Connections

Referenced in Alex in Wonderland (1970)

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Soundtracks

Io Cerco la Titina
(uncredited)
Traditional
Heard during the carnival

User Reviews

Fellini's early watershed

The genesis of "I Vitelloni" occurred at a critical time for Federico Fellini. His previous film, "The White Sheik" had been met with such disappointment by critics and audiences that his directoral career was in jeopardy. So, with the need for a successful production on his head, Fellini decided to make a simple comedy...!

The simple story of the five "loafers" and "dreamers" could have been maudlin and trite, but in the hands of Fellini, the story unfolds like a beautiful flower as part of an overall powerful, moving experience. Few directors have communicated their personal vision and experience as intensely as did Fellini. While there is dispute as to whether there is a direct correlation of the character of Moraldo to Fellini himself, Fellini puts us comfortably into his shoes and we connect with Moraldo's frustrations, aspirations, and eventually, his exodus.

With "I Vitteloni", Fellini began to hit his stride of 10 years of greatness, culminating in "Otto e Mezzo". The episodic character exploration of the latter years isn't as dominant here, but the allusions to people, places, and things are presented in full force. The story is easier to follow than later films and is a more central part of the film. This coherence is easier to grasp, making it more accessible for the Fellini neophyte.

But, with all of the talk about Fellini, this is still a magnificent movie that stands on its own. See it.