The Organizer (1963)

A former high school teacher turned unionist tries to organize workers laboring with inhuman conditions at a late 19th Century textile factory.

Director:

Mario Monicelli

Writers:

Agenore Incrocci (story) (as Age), Furio Scarpelli (story) (as Scarpelli)

Stars:

Marcello Mastroianni, Renato Salvatori, Gabriella Giorgelli

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Professor Sinigaglia
Renato Salvatori	...	Raoul
Gabriella Giorgelli	...	Adele
Folco Lulli	...	Pautasso
Bernard Blier	...	Martinetti
Raffaella Carrà	...	Bianca
François Périer	...	Maestro Di Meo
Vittorio Sanipoli	...	Baudet
Mario Pisu	...	Manager
Kenneth Kove	...	Luigi
Annie Girardot	...	Niobe
Edda Ferronao	...	Maria
Anna Di Silvio	...	Gesummina
Roberto Diamanti
Elvira Tonelli	...	Cesarina

Storyline

The story of exploited textile factory workers in Turin, Italy at the turn of the century and their beginnings of their fight for better working conditions. Professor Sinigaglia (Marcello Mastroianni) is sent by (presumably) the Socialists to help them organize their strike and give form to their struggle.

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Plot Keywords:

sweatshop | factory | textile factory | working conditions | 19th century | 

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Taglines:

Drama...Comedy...Power...Wit...Impact...A Remarkable Film!

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France Yugoslavia

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

1963 (Yugoslavia)

Also Known As:

The Organizer

Filming Locations:

Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Film,Vides Cinematografica,Méditerrannée Cinéma Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

British actor Kenneth Kove was dubbed in his role as Luigi

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Quotes

Raoul: [Referrinfg to Arro] If that Ethipopian goes to work tomorrow, one by one they will go back with yours truly first in line.

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Connections

Featured in La strana coppia. Incontro con Age e Scarpelli (2001)

User Reviews

A Film For Today

Today, as one "great" corporation after another collapses under the weight of its own deceit, I Compagni should be seen by everyone. For at least 20 years, we have been told that unions and regulations are obsolete hindrances to the miracle of The Marketplace. Now that even Alan Greenspan, an enormously powerful acolyte of Ayn Rand and her adolescent mirror-philosophy to Marxism, has testified that "I was wrong." As he admitted that he now sees that unregulated capitalism will inevitably fall under the spell of selfish, unfeeling greed, we find ourselves almost back at the beginning of FDR's reforms. The "American Dream" didn't just happen; it wasn't automatically granted by benevolent businessmen. It was fought for, and won despite enormous obstacles. It is true that the final scene of this film is heartbreaking. But it should not be seen as depressing. A battle has been lost. But the war was eventually won. Many of those gains have been recently tossed aside out of historical ignorance and childish acceptance of corporate propaganda. But if the American people will act and vote intelligently, workers and capitalists alike will regain a humane balance.