This raw Italian political melodrama investigates the underbelly of Rome in the early ’70s, exposing drugs, crime and sexual scandal. Many of the characters and episodes are based on incidents which made Italian newspaper headlines in that period. Throughout, it implies that one important behind-the-scenes personage (“number one”) is pulling the strings of the characters. The film’s tone of outrage clearly differentiates it from a more easygoing film exploring the similar nightlife of 1960s Rome, La Dolce Vita.
Director: Gianni Buffardi.
Writers: Gianni Buffardi (story), Sandro Continenza (screenplay).
Stars: Renzo Montagnani, Luigi Pistilli, Claude Jade, Chris Avram, Massimo Serato, Rita Calderoni, Howard Ross, Venantino Venantini, Isabelle De Valvert, Andrea Aureli, Guido Mannari, Paolo Malco, Guido Lollobrigida, Duilio Del Prete, Luigi Antonio Guerra, Rina Franchetti, Emilio Bonucci, Carla Mancini, Renato Turi, Paolo di Tusco, Bruno Di Luia, Valery Claubert, Andrea Scotti, Mario Prandi, Josiane Tanzilli.
Some rough customers here.
Oozing Italian machismo and chauvinism this is an unvarnished look at the dirty underbelly of Rome. Raw and tough but with some gorgeous decor.
Certainly *not* La Dolce Vita…