Details

Release year: 1963

Storyline

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

Top credits

Directors

Mario Monicelli

Writers

Cast

Marcello Mastroianni — Professor Sinigaglia
Renato Salvatori — Raoul
Gabriella Giorgelli — Adele
Folco Lulli — Pautasso

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Awards

0 wins & 1 nomination

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Did you know

• Italy's first capital after the Risorgimento ended in the 1870s, Turin was in the midst of rapid industrialization during the period that this film takes place, although it unfolds some years before the growth of the industry. Populating his densely inhabited film with actual workers, director Mario Monicelli was attempting, three years before The Battle of Algiers (1966), to create a sort of neo-realist period piece. Using a strategy that would subsequently be seen in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the film opens with a montage of historical photographs that skilfully segues into contemporary facsimiles.

• The film had its premiere at the 35th Congress of the Italian Socialist Party. The script was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 37th Academy Awards.

• British actor Kenneth Kove was dubbed in his role as Luigi.