User reviews

Alberto Sordi must have blessed the day he met screenwriter Rodolfo Sonego in 1954 as they were destined to enjoy one of the longest and most fruitful collaborations in the history of Cinema.

Luigi Zampa's beautifully observed piece has Signor Sordi playing a variation on the type of character he has made his own, that of the buffoon with delusions of adequacy.

Having wangled a job as a traffic policeman Otello succeeds in bringing the city's traffic to a grinding halt. He inadvertently becomes a local celebrity by allowing luscious Sylva Koscina, here playing herself, to drive without a licence(and who could blame him?) He is given a dressing down by the hypocritical Mayor who reminds him that "the Law is the same for everyone." He proceeds to pull the Mayor over for speeding and then his problems really start.......!

As one would expect from this director the comedic tone soon darkens and satire gives way to a scathing indictment of civic corruption as the Mayor, played by the superlative Vittorio de Sica, proves to be a nasty piece of work who will go to any lengths to ensure his re-election and protect his vested interests.

Once again Sordi and de Sica demonstrate their superb artistry and work wonderfully together. They were to collaborate as actor/director on the excellent 'Il Boom' three years later. Colourful characters abound and Miss Koscina, suffice to say, lights up the screen.

An immensely entertaining film which also serves as a reminder that although David might have beaten Goliath in the Old Testament, he seldom does so elsewhere.

Another fabel/comedy of the dangers for the poor Italian man who dares to rise up in society and challenge the high and mighty.This film is made in a more comical but realistic vein, and is well filmed.Alberto Sordi's acting is superb, and there is not a boring moment in the film ! This is a typical Italian neo realistic comedy, which was in such peak form in the late 1950's and early 1960's.Rarely, do Italians make such entertaining films nowadays,(with the exception of Pieracchioni and further back in time , Carlo Verdoni).

Othello(played by Alberto S.), an unemployed loser, is constantly being jeered at and publicly humilated at the local Cafès and bars, for being a useless man supported by his hard working wife ….until…..through family connections and friends he gets a job as a traffic policeman in his small provincial town.

The table is completely overturned, and as he proudly struts around in his black shining uniform,... not a bad word is said behind his back,as he smugly points out to his son, because now Alberto has become the authority, and no-one dares move when he passes by !However there is one problem,he enters his role with a little too enthusiasm , fining and hassling everyone, including the Mayor, local politicians and big wigs, but their annoyance is further increased , when he enters the local political scene, as a mayoral candidate with resounding success upsetting the established order, and at this point the old plutocrats hit back,and Alberto, is forced by blackmail , to return to his former police job !!

A well deserved 9 vote

Two of the greatest actors of all time, Alberto Sordi and Vittorio De Sica, performing two exceptional roles. All the other actors, Marisa Merlini, Mara Berni, Nando Bruno, Riccardo Garrone, Lia Zoppelli, Franco Di Trocchio, Carlo Pisacane, etc., they show their talent in this excellent moral comedy. A young and beautiful Sylva Koscina also participates in this exceptional achievement of the great Luigi Zampa, who has given us many other masterpieces. Anytime, to be watched with lots of pleasure.