Los dinamiteros (1964) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
2 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
Better than average Spanish comedy about a robbery carried out by three elderly people magnificently played by a veteran trio
ma-cortes19 June 2022
Sympathetic and fun movie with a great and attractive Spanish/Italian cast . An entertaining and funny film with diverting scenes , grotesque incidents , nutty situations and hilarious set pieces , but above all containing catching touches of humor and irony . Doña Pura (Sara Garcia) , don Benito (José Isbert) and don Augusto (Carlo Pisacane) usually coincide each month in the queues of the mutuality windows to collect their pension , an opportunity they take advantage of to talk about their unfortunate lives . Don Benito is grumpy , on the contrary, Don Augusto is a leering old man who does not go beyond looking lewdly at the girls who pass by , while Doña Pura results to be the most practical . When they aware that the old don Felipe, an old acquaintance , is very ill , alone and without money for a decent funeral , they decide to a commit a perfect heist . To do the complex robbery , they will scheme everything thoroughly and manufacture a homemade explosive , but then things go wrong .

"Los dinamiteros" is a Spanish comedy , co-produced between Spain and Italy , and known in the former country as "L'ultimo rififì", which alerts us to its most notable influence , the nowadays vintage and exemplary film "Rufufú" (I soliti ignoti original title) , directed in 1957 by Mario Monicelli and in which Carlo Pisacane already acted , it actually was a satire of the unforgettable "Rififí" (Du rififi chez les hommes, 1954), by Jules Dassin, the latter along with ¨Topkapi¨by Dassin himself turned out to be two extraordinary films about perfect robberies that would unleash a tsunami of imitations here and there . While Los dinamiteros(1964) moves between neorealist cinema and ¨costumbrismo¨, showing a style focused on custom and manners , and at the same time, in a kind of archeology of Madrid's urbanity , depicting its harsh social reality until the decadence of Francoism . It deals with a group of old people who decide to ask for a loan to help a sick man , but, as they do not grant it , as they decide to rob the bank savings . An enjoyable comedy that takes parts here and there of ¨Atraco a las tres¨, ¨Los Tramposos¨ or the ¨Cheaters¨, ¨Se vende un tranvia¨, "Los Picaros" TV series from the greatest writers/directors as Rafael Azcona , Pedro Lazaga , José Maria Forque or Luis García Berlanga , providing an agreeable script by writer/director Juan Garcia Atienza himself with full of silly amusement, gentleness , diversion , laughter with tongue-in-cheek and entertainment enough . There are some nice jokes and the stunning cast playing eccentric characters make a cosy fit . Stars a great main and support cast with plenty of familiar faces giving top-notch interpretations , such as the three venerable old people who were three greatest veteran actors from Spain : José Isbert , Mexico : Sara Garcia and Italy : Carlos Pisacane . There is a great chemistry between these three senior actors, typecast in the eternal role of grandfathers , to the point that one wonders if they were ever young . Each one brings its own personality and balances the whole . Supported by a lot of familiar Spanish secondaries , such as : Lola Gaos , María José Alfonso , Xan das Bolas , Ricardo Tundidor , Fernando Sánchez Polack and special appearance from Adolfo Marsillach, Laura Valenzuela and even Richard Harrison as actors playing in 'Rapiña en Golden City' .

The motion picture displays atmospheric and lively musical score by Italian composer Piero Umiliani and evocative cinematography by Juan Mariné . The picture was competently written and directed by Juan Garcia Atienza . He was a prestigious documentary filmmaker and this Los dinamiteros (1964) was his film debut . Rating : 7.5/10 . Above average . The flick will appeal to Spanish classic films lovers .
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
RICHARD HARRISON IN A SMALL CLIP INSIDE THE MOVIE
larryanderson3 July 2021
There is a small clip included "inside" the main movie which takes place inside a cinema. On the screen we see two gangsters involved in a shoot out during a card game. One of the men is Richard Harrison who was at the height of his acting career at the time. (why he would get involved in this project is a real mystery). After the two men kill each other the lady at the table scoops up all the money and leaves. She is played by Laura Valenzuela (also uses VALEN). She was the lead in a Lang Jeffries Euro-Spy movie. Z7, OPERATION REMBRANT. The scene is a Gangster film not a Spaghetti Western as many, including Mike Ferguson believe. Watch only if you are a Richard Harrison fan.
0 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed