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The Challenge

Original title: La sfida
  • 19581958
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
308
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
96,687
6,176
The Challenge (1958)
CrimeDrama
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 ... Read allVito 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 t... Read allVito 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 ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
308
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
96,687
6,176
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Writers
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(screenplay)
      • Enzo Provenzale(screenplay)
      • Francesco Rosi(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Rosanna Schiaffino
      • José Suárez
      • Nino Vingelli
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Writers
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(screenplay)
      • Enzo Provenzale(screenplay)
      • Francesco Rosi(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Rosanna Schiaffino
      • José Suárez
      • Nino Vingelli
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations

    Photos6

    The Challenge (1958)
    The Challenge (1958)
    The Challenge (1958)
    The Challenge (1958)
    The Challenge (1958)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rosanna Schiaffino
    Rosanna Schiaffino
    • Assunta
    José Suárez
    José Suárez
    • Vito Polara
    Nino Vingelli
    Nino Vingelli
    • Gennaro
    Decimo Cristiani
    • Raffaele
    Tina Castigliano
    • Madre di Vito
    Pasquale Cennamo
    • Salvatore Ajello
    Elsa Valentino Ascoli
    • Madre di Assunta
    José Jaspe
    José Jaspe
    • Ferdinando Ajello
    Nello Ascoli
    Salvatore Cafiero
    Guido Cante
    Gennaro Di Napoli
    Elsa Fiore
    Ferdinando Gerra
    Ubaldo Granata
    • Califano
    Giosué Ippolito
    Mario Laurentino
    Guglielmo Spoletini
    Guglielmo Spoletini
    • Director
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Writers
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico(screenplay) (story)
      • Enzo Provenzale(screenplay) (story)
      • Francesco Rosi(screenplay) (story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Italian censorship visa # 26331 delivered on 4 March 1958.
    • Connections
      Featured in Il cineasta e il labirinto (2004)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•5
    0
    • boblipton
    • Jul 5, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 8, 1958 (Spain)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • Spain
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Die Herausforderung
    • Filming locations
      • Roma, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Cinecittà
      • Lux Film
      • Suevia Films - Cesáreo González
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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