Cop Antonio is ordered to take 11-year-old Rosetta and her brother Luciano from Milan to an orphanage in Sicily. Their mother has been jailed for forcing Rosetta into prostitution. Reluctant... Read allCop Antonio is ordered to take 11-year-old Rosetta and her brother Luciano from Milan to an orphanage in Sicily. Their mother has been jailed for forcing Rosetta into prostitution. Reluctant Antonio soon learns to sympathize with the kids.Cop Antonio is ordered to take 11-year-old Rosetta and her brother Luciano from Milan to an orphanage in Sicily. Their mother has been jailed for forcing Rosetta into prostitution. Reluctant Antonio soon learns to sympathize with the kids.
- Awards
- 18 wins & 14 nominations total
Featured reviews
This movie is the story of a journey, a common theme among movie-makers. In this film a policeman is charged with the transfer of two children (aged 11 and 9)from Milano to a Home for Children in Sicily. It is based on a newspaper report which gives authenticity to the story. Remarkable performances are given by the children who amazingly have had no previous experience in film-acting. Eye contact between the main characters is particularly powerful. The policeman also acts convincingly. He finds the resentful children a difficult pair to control. The 11-year old has a secret(about her life of prostitution) and her young brother is an asthmatic sadly in need of his father who has abandoned them. There are some tender scenes in the film where the policeman introduces the children to his happy extended family, where the policeman gives the boy some swimming lessons in the sea and where they agree to find each other when the boy leaves the Home at 15 years of age. A simple theme but so enthralling.
10Jeaneth2
I saw this movie almost ten years ago, and once or twice since then on TV, and I have never forgotten it. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting, sensitively directed and beautifully performed. The relationship between the young carabiniere and the two children he's escorting evolves so quietly and naturally that it never seems forced, as relationships so often seem in movies. I hesitate to cite specific scenes for fear of spoilage, but there is one moment in particular, when Antonio and young Luciano are swimming in the ocean, that perfectly illustrates the growing trust between them. The scene is quite simply breathtaking.
I wish this movie were available on DVD, because it deserves to be seen by more people. I would add it to my collection in a heartbeat if I could. Instead, I can only hope that some local theater or art museum will screen it someday as part of a film festival.
A truly unforgettable movie.
I wish this movie were available on DVD, because it deserves to be seen by more people. I would add it to my collection in a heartbeat if I could. Instead, I can only hope that some local theater or art museum will screen it someday as part of a film festival.
A truly unforgettable movie.
This marvelous film deals with a topic, exploitation of children (euphimism), that is difficult on viewers. All over the world bad things are happening to young people who can not control their own lives because they are children. The innocents tainted in this world will become saints and dwell in Heaven with Our Father. No, this film isn't about religion per se. But it is about the struggle and the triumph of humans over their sometimes miserable, but always radiant, terrible difficulties. The adult who has to deal with the two abandoned children is marvelously played and his growth as a human being in the sense of doing the right thing, rather than just "following orders" is a great performance. The leading character is an 11-12 year old girl who I understand was not an actress before performing in this film. I could open a floodgate of positive adjectives and remarks about her performance, but let's just say that she play her role so authentically and underplays, which is necessary, the plight of her character, where the underplaying is simply the character being herself in a world she endures,and must accept, but is one no one would choose. I hope that viewers will remember (and if they don't, watch the movie again) the final scene where she tries to give her brother hope and show the viewer that even the worst world can be inhabited and experienced with at least some joy--sometimes only a tiny measure of happiness is all we can get in our lives, but still we must savor it.
Many people complain that so and so movie is not on DVD etc., but this film was released on VHS for a short time in the early 90's and only a few copies are on the market at a fairly high price--the film should be transferred to DVD by Criterion or someone (I wish I knew how). Buy the VHS and watch a movie that points the way, as almost no movie really does, to the real, complex, harmful, and sometimes wonderful world that exists beyond the movie.
Many people complain that so and so movie is not on DVD etc., but this film was released on VHS for a short time in the early 90's and only a few copies are on the market at a fairly high price--the film should be transferred to DVD by Criterion or someone (I wish I knew how). Buy the VHS and watch a movie that points the way, as almost no movie really does, to the real, complex, harmful, and sometimes wonderful world that exists beyond the movie.
This film is one that will be difficult to view. The basis of the film is that two children are taken away from their abusive mother. Lo Verso must escort them to an orphanage however the orphanage does not want the children. I won't spoil anything for you, but I will say that this type of film would never be made in the US. The themes that are suggested are extremely controversial.
I too agree with many people when they say that this is one of the best acting performances by children ever.
I too agree with many people when they say that this is one of the best acting performances by children ever.
'Il Ladro Di Bambini' is one of the most moving pieces of cinema I've ever seen, and it reminds me so clearly why I love film. I've just seen it, and I'm still very emotional over what I saw. The children play the roles perfectly, and Enrico Lo Verso's performance is brilliant as well. It's such a simple film actually, but so incredibly powerful. The scene where Luciano tells Antonio that he'll come looking for him as soon as he's turned 15, no matter where he is, made me cry. This is a true, honest film about trust, that I will treasure for a long time to come.
Did you know
- TriviaEnrico Lo Verso was the only member of the main cast to be a professional actor.
- ConnectionsEdited into Lo schermo a tre punte (1995)
- SoundtracksDomenica bestiale
Written and performed by Fabio Concato
Courtesy of Warner Chappell - PolyGram Italia
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $931,280
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $17,524
- Mar 7, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $931,280
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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