A cavallo della tigre

I run into this pearl of a movie totally by coincidence. I had never heard about it but my attention was drown by the appealing list of the involved artists, all protagonists of the best examples of the Italian classic moviemaking: Monicelli, Comencini, Age, Scarpelli, Manfredi, Volonte', Adorf to mention only the main ones. I did not expect much from it when i pushed the "play" button of my TV remote control and I suspected that my ignorance about the very existence of this movie was a clear evidence of some major failings in it.

Rarely I had been so wrong in prejudging a movie! I thoroughly enjoyed the superb acting (starting with Manfredi, in one of his first - and quite satisfactory - major roles), the spotless and engaging script, the brisk albeit quite resourceful direction, the artistic black and white photography, the subtle soundtrack. The movie is a canny combination of drama and comedy. Lots of hilarious situations and witty jokes - but in the context of a very sad and sometimes poignant story of a jail escape attempt conceived by a bunch of two bit petty criminals. Among them, a simpleton (Manfredi's role) who is unwillingly caught into the escape plot and ends up paying a huge price.

90 minutes of pure artistry. One can wonder - given the serious overall tone of the movie - if it can be considered part of the canon of the celebrated "commedia all'italiana", but who cares about categorizing? Enjoy this movie anyway: maybe it is the very Janus-like nature if this unexpected masterpiece which is part of its irresistible charm and interest.

Of course I love Nino Manfredi, but Volonte I love him more (due to the roles after this film). But here Manfredi is the best of all the other actors (thanks to his generous role), followed by Mario Adorf. Luigi Comencini did a an extraordinary job with this movie. Manfredi is also singing a song, very impressive.

Kind of literally here, considering where our main characters find themselves in. This is well told and has all the right twists it needs to have. And a central character that is so easy to manipulate - it is fun to watch him squeal and turn. Because it is a movie of course. If you even think about real life and what that would mean and all that - well you would ruin the movie for yourself.

There is also a sense of machism and violence you may not entirely agree with (which would be a good thing), but don't forget: this is a movie and the time this was made was different. Sensibilities and all that stuff. The drama and the thriller aspects work hand in hand - in a good way ... leading the way that is, no pun intended.

Certainly not one of Manfredi's best movie, it's the rather depressing story of four inmates who plan their escape in a way similar to "Shawshank Redemption" but with less glorified results.

Everything about the movie screams out "poverty" and the rather miserable life of the lower classes, from sordid environments (even the prison is a dump) to dreadful relationships.

There is some attempt at humor but it sorts of falls flat. However, the actors do a good job, as it was to be expected by real professionals.