Romanzo criminale: La série

When this series came out Italy was taken by a storm. Usually Italian TV it's a mix of boring carabinieri and saints portraits...This is the best series we ever produced. And I can assure you that not only it's based on a real story, but the associates and the families member still alive are very much part of the criminal web of Rome.And like me, whoever was born in Rome knows very well La Banda della Magliana and it's legacy.All the characters have different name but if you look up for the real story they're easy to spot. Some of them are still alive and the actual Freddo is just being taken off the special witness protection program and he's back in Rome.

I really don't understand what took me so long to watch, let alone, discover this amazing show.

Romanzo Criminale is an immensely realistic and edgy show. Based on events of street thugs turned criminal organization in 1970-1980s Rome, the series seemed to portray the decade's atmosphere with perfection and had me captivated for its entirety.

There was some sort of novelty, if not charm, of seeing a group of amateur thugs band together to form lifelong friendships, pursuits of love or strive for a better life in general - all in the backdrop of social/political unrest of Italy at the time.

Despite humble beginnings, these somewhat naive core characters begin to see the stark realities that surround them. Betrayals, murders, greed and revenge are only just a small taste of what ultimately corrupts the main and side characters, turning one against the other or forming alliances.

The characters and how they are conditioned/molded is really what shines here. To see Libanese rise from such impoverished, depressive conditions or the undying struggle for justice by Commissioner Scialoja. The characters and narrative are further strengthened by a well written, intense script, excellent cinematography, truly monumental climaxes and actors that really pull of some outstanding performances (particularly Freddo's character).

Ultimately, this is a show that will drag you in, keep you extremely invested in multiple characters and then crush you at least a few times, but it's okay! Criminale Romanzo's charm and realism never really wears off and manages to tell a great story with conviction. Disregard the fact that you'll have to watch this with subtitles, it is Easily one of the best TV shows I have ever watched.

I had heard nothing about this, I just saw it advertised on TV as "Italian Sopranos" so myself and my wife started watching it. We both agree that this is one of the best TV series we have seen.

The casting is spot on with the characters being totally believable and very very well acted. The attention to detail is fantastic seeing that it is set in Rome in the 70's (for the first series anyway) so the cars. clothes and hairstyles and even the home furnishings are all authentic.

The story is gripping as the gang go from plot line to plot line and the interactions between the characters keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next. The fact that its set against a backdrop of when Italy was going through a period of its history which involved the turmoil of corruption, terrorism and criminality and that's just the government, leaves you with a hard choice of who to root for.

All in all thoroughly entertaining and believable.

Mark S.

What a wonderful series. Just finished watching the finale of series 2 and it has be breathing hard. And it's not just becomes its the finale, its the whole series and every episode with has been like that. Yes it's in Italian so the subtitles are key, that way I think we tend to focus more and are less distracted by other things at home, and that makes it much more enjoyable. The storyline itself is quite good which makes the core of the series of great quality. The direction keep the story moving fast , though it feels that the transition sometime isn't that smooth. But I thought the crude sense makes the series even more charming. The main leads do a great job and are quite ably supported. I have manly seen series2 and now have to see the first series for sure , the other way round would be much better but I think it'll be great fun all the same. The editing is brilliant and hence thrill of the series is kept alive through every episode because of that. A must watch for people who love good action TV ( it is a crime series so expect a lot of gun related action) ....a have to have to watch for people who love mafia related television.

Gomorra La Series blew my mind and romanzo criminale blew up the rest of it. gomorra looked like they were about to kill a whole bunch of people but romanzo looked like they already have. that is how i compare these two amazing Italian crime series. i mean from the storyline to the characters and the rest of it, top tier entertainment. its realistic yet fantastic at the same time. how does a series stay soo interesting one might say. i guess there has to be killings, betrayal, surprises, victories and defeat. these two series has all of it and it never gets old. very well thought out and thoroughly executed. i know gomorra has a third season comin but its been a minute for this one. i hope there will be more and if not something similar. ill be watching these series again cause of the high replay value. its not for the faint hearted or the immature tho. i never really do reviews but this one well deserved one, its the least i could do. much props to the gomorra production and romanzo criminale productions. the actors and actresses did a great job even tho i had to read subtitles throughout. I've just started to look into more Italian shows and movies cause i didn't know they were soo good. hopefully IMDb will turn me out to some more. i look forward to more Italian TV in the near future cause it really doesn't get much better.