A down-and-out crook on the lam befriends a young street urchin, in an Italian port city. At first amused that the boy is a sneak thief, he tries to deflects the kid from a life of crime. Tipped off by a woman anxious to collect the reward for him (who is wanted for murder), the police pursue the two lost souls.
Paul Muni
The Stranger With A Gun
Joan Lorring
Angela, a lonely woman
Vittorio Manunta
Giacomo, a small boy
Luisa Rossi
Giacomo's Mother
Aldo Silvani
Peroni, the junk dealer
Arnoldo Foà
Inspector-in-Charge
Alfredo Varelli
The Neighborhood Patrolman
Héléna Manson
Grocery Store Clerk (victim)
Enrico Glori
Signor Pucci
Franco Balducci
Morelli
Leonardo Scavino
Mancini
Linda Sini
Signora Raffetto
Giulio Marchetti
Signor Raffetto
Giuseppe Addobbati
Henri Alekan
Priest on Bicycle
Gianni Baghino
Nando Bruno
Noël Calef
Flute Player
Beatrice Mancini
Ave Ninchi
Director
Joseph Losey
Screenplay
Ben Barzman
Story
Noël Calef
September 9, 2022
6
There is something familiar about this film - it reminded me a little of "Hunted" (also from 1952). Paul Muni is a homeless man who happens upon a young boy "Giacomo" (Vittorio Mununta), who has resorted to petty theft after he accidentally lost the money to buy the milk for him and his impoverished mother (Luisa Rossi) - and a bit of a tragic confrontation ensues between the pair and the elderly shopkeeper. In panic, they end up hiding in the same place, and after repeated attempts to get shot of the young lad, the two start to bond whilst trying to avoid the pursuing Carabinieri. It's an odd film to watch - it's really about the relationship between the two, but Joseph Losey doesn't really give us very much to work with. The script is really dry and though young Mununta is quite engaging, none of the adult performances really take off. Unlike "Hunted" - the film lacks focus and meanders along to a pretty predictable denouement just a bit too haphazardly as to be compelling. It is only 90 minutes but seems quite a bit longer and I doubt anyone would call it their best work.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
Italian
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00