I soliti ignoti / Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

Directed by Mario Monicelli

Starred Vittorio Gassman, Marcelo Mastroianni, Renato Salvatori, Memmo Carotenuto, Rosanna Rory, Carla Gravina, Claudia Cardinale, Toto ...

1958, Italy, Italian

 

A group of small-time thieves attempts to make a burglary of a local pawnshop in this black & white Italian caper movie. 'I soliti ignoti' is generally seen as parody of a very influential big heist movie of the time  and one of the heist classics of all time; 'Rififi' (Du rififi chez les hommes - 1956. Also available in this blog).

It is a small caper about small-time thieves who live in a poor neighborhood. It is often funny, sympa and didn't bore me for a moment. However, since it is a comedy, one might find it hilarious, while another might find it boring.

There are 3 great, legendary Italian actors in the cast; Vittorio Gassman, Claudia Cardinale and Marcelo Mastroianni. Generally positive reactions both from the critics and the audience. A modest reputation in its genre.  A Silver Seashell in San Sebastian International Film Festival and a nomination for Best Foreign Language movie in Oscars (which is the only one in the blog so far). Being voted as one of the 'The 50 Greatest Comedies of All Time' by Premiere. Being the inspiration of a Broadway Musical (Big Deal). I believe, you have enough reasons to give a shot, especially since you are in a robbery & heist movies blog. I absolutely didn't regret.
 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a World Cinema classic

a funny caper movie from Italy

a heist with legendary movie actors

an award-winner heist
a Best Foreign Movie Oscar nominee heist

 then this is your movie.

***

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

The Ladykillers (1955)
Quick Change (1990)
Rififi / Du rififi chez les hommes (1955)
Pink Panther (1963)
Bob le Flambeur (1956)

***  

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Burglary

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 1/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 3/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 2/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 2/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Le Premier Cercle/Inside Ring/Ultimate Heist (2009)

Directed by Lauren Tuel

Starred Jean Reno, Gaspard Ulliel, Vahina Giocante, Sami Bouajila, Isaac Sharry...

2009, France & Italy, French with some Armenian dialogues

Another French heist movie. Again uncommon. In Hollywood heist movies, while the robbers generally are glorified, in this European one, they are shown as ruthless, bad, virtueless, cruel types. While we sympathize with the thieves in Hollywood movies because they steal from more corrupted, meaner people, we feel no sympathy for the thieves in that European heist movie, because they steal from normal people. A general approach difference between World Cinema and Hollywood Cinema.  

A simple, low tempo heist movie, which generally focuses on characters while not ignoring heist action. If you dislike the movies whose pace and action dose different than mainstream Hollywood heist, you may probably get bored while watching this one until you see the action. I would recommend it for a little more patient cinema fans.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

a heist movie from World Cinema

a heist movie focuses on characters as well as heist

a low tempo heist movie

 

then this is your movie.

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Inside Man (2006)

Italian Job (2003)
Point Break (1991)
Ronin (1998)
The Town (2010)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
The Lookout (2007) 
Bob Le Flambeur (1956)
Armored (2009) 
Bande à part / Band of Outsiders (1964)

If you liked this movie, IMDb believes you might like also:

(available in the blog)

The Town (2010)
Inside Man (2006)

Trespass (2011)

Armored (2009)

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Auto Theft, Burglary, Cash Theft
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 0/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.