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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Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Filmmaker and the Labyrinth (2004)

User Reviews

A Man's Desires Are Simple, But The World Is Complicated

José Suárez has a good racket smuggling American cigarettes into Naples, but he's ambitious. He heads to the country, to become a broker for farm produce. That trade, however, is controlled by the Camorra. He comes to an understanding with them, but that puts him in their pocket. On his wedding day with Rosanna Schiaffino, they squeeze.

It's a dark and stormy movie by Francesco Rosi about the intersection between ambition, business, beautifully written and performed. Suárez offers a dynamite performance in a role that is simple in its motivation, but complex in its performance.

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