The Swindle (1955)

Awards
- 2 nominations

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Trivia
The Swindle (1955) is both a stand-alone movie and the centerpiece of Federico Fellini's unofficial "trilogy of loneliness," preceded by La Strada (1954) and followed by Nights of Cabiria (1957). All three are key works marking the last great moments of Italian neorealism, which was waning as central figures like Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica moved on to different genres. In the 1950s, he still held the neorealist conviction that nothing is more dramatic than the lives of ordinary people transferred to the screen with a minimum of embellishment.

Quotes
Augusto: We've gotta figure out something better. We can't go on like this.
Roberto: Who's saying we should? I'm not an idiot. This is just for fun, just to keep us going. I'm going to sing. When I save up some money, I'll take lessons. I've bought all the Johnnie Ray's records. He's really my style.
Augusto: You'll never take lessons.
Roberto: I'm not ending up like you!

Alternate versions
The Prime Video master, circulating on subscription services such as FilmBox, has been censored to blur out shots of actors smoking.

Connections
Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: La monnaie de l'absolu (1999)

User reviews41

Review

Featured review

A forgotten classic

I've seen LA STRADA a few times, but had never even heard of IL BIDONE. Spotted it among a batch of new DVDS at a friend's place, and gaped at it, amazed. Broderick Crawford (?!) in a Fellini? This I HAD to see! Took it home, popped it in...and was completely blown away. A great performance from Crawford, many indelible moments, and an emotionally shattering climax. In many ways I preferred it to LA STRADA -- felt it was less manipulative. Dug out the various movie guides, read some reviews, and learned it was part of Fellini's "Trilogy of Loneliness" -- LA STRADA, IL BIDONE & NIGHTS OF CABIRIA. So I sought out CABIRIA and enjoyed it immensely as well.