La sfida (1958)

Vito Polara is a young ambitious man from the slums of Naples, who wants to get as much power and money as possible. He decides to quit smuggling cigarettes and tries to take over the local... See full summary »

Director:

Francesco Rosi

Writers:

Suso Cecchi D'Amico (screenplay), Suso Cecchi D'Amico (story)

Stars:

Rosanna Schiaffino, José Suárez, Nino Vingelli

5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rosanna Schiaffino	...	Assunta
José Suárez	...	Vito Polara
Nino Vingelli	...	Gennaro
Decimo Cristiani	...	Raffaele
Tina Castigliano	...	Madre di Vito
Pasquale Cennamo	...	Salvatore Ajello
Elsa Valentino Ascoli	...	Madre di Assunta
José Jaspe	...	Ferdinando Ajello
Nello Ascoli
Salvatore Cafiero
Guido Cante
Gennaro Di Napoli
Elsa Fiore
Ferdinando Gerra
Ubaldo Granata	...	Califano

Storyline

Vito Polara is a young ambitious man from the slums of Naples, who wants to get as much power and money as possible. He decides to quit smuggling cigarettes and tries to take over the local fruit and vegetable distribution, which is considered more profitable. After challenging the rural crime boss of the local Camorra, Vito becomes part of his gang and soon his life changes. He moves to a new luxurious seaside apartment and plans to start a family with the beautiful Assunta. At their wedding party, however, and later on, he's about to see who the real boss is.

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Plot Keywords:

poliziottesco | spanish poliziottesco | smuggling | camorra | napoli italy | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

Italy Spain

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

8 September 1958 (Spain)

Also Known As:

The Challenge

Filming Locations:

Naples, Campania, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinecittà, Lux Film, Suevia Films - Cesáreo González

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Filmmaker and the Labyrinth (2004)

User Reviews

Respectable first feature from a major director.

Rosi, later director of SALVATORE GIULIANO and the Gian Maria Volonte thrillers, is running up to speed here but the strong use of location - Naples tenements contrasted to the farming community - makes him an interesting link between the Neo Realists and the political thriller lot of the seventies, Damiano and the rest.

Suarez, the lead, switches from cigarette smuggling to vegetables, forming an uneasy alliance with the rural crime Don. We know he's going to get his but before that happens he's paired with Schiafino among the laundry drying on the roof, so that their mothers can argue whether she's an under age innocent or the local slut, and moved her into a bay view flat. Some suspense builds with in the final drive back to the city.

Compare this one with the similar themed American JUKE GIRL and THIEVES' HIGHWAY.

The technicians are excellent, with Di Venanzo's total focus look evident here before his Antonioni successes made him famous.