What happens if a band of hapless thieves decides to steal Michelangelo’s “Pietà”?
What happens if Edward G. Robinson, the iconic star of American gangster cinema, decides to carry out a job in Rome?
What happens if the Vatican decides to compete with 007?
After the incredible success of Operazione San Gennaro directed by Dino Risi, the sequel was produced in record time. In truth, it’s more or less a remake that takes some liberties: the narrative framework of the two films is similar, some characteristics are practically identical, and even in this film the hapless Italian thieves find themselves up against a successful American gangster. However, this time around the action takes place in Rome, the target is nothing less than Michelangelo’s “Pietà”, and the unsophisticated Lando Buzzanca arrives in place of Nino Manfredi. Once again, the results are fantastic, with two genial innovations. The first: the criminal from across the ocean is played by Edward G. Robinson, the iconic star of 1930s Hollywood noir (Little Caesar, to name just one), who parodies his usual style to interpret a more comic book-style gangster. The second: the Vatican is equipped with an emergency response team worthy of a James Bond film, resulting in a priceless finale in which an army of priests and monks on board all manner of vehicle give pursuit in a chase worthy of any comedy action film.
Having escaped from prison, Napoleone leads an improbable band in attempting to steal Michelangelo’s “Pietà” during Holy Week. The job is a success, but the priceless sculpture is also of interest to Joe Ventura, a psychopathic gangster arrived from America. The Vatican can’t just stand by and do nothing, so a team of priests is put together to return the masterpiece to its rightful place.
What happens if a band of hapless thieves decides to steal Michelangelo’s “Pietà”?
What happens if Edward G. Robinson, the iconic star of American gangster cinema, decides to carry out a job in Rome?
What happens if the Vatican decides to compete with 007?
After the incredible success of Operazione San Gennaro directed by Dino Risi, the sequel was produced in record time. In truth, it’s more or less a remake that takes some liberties: the narrative framework of the two films is similar, some characteristics are practically identical, and even in this film the hapless Italian thieves find themselves up against a successful American gangster. However, this time around the action takes place in Rome, the target is nothing less than Michelangelo’s “Pietà”, and the unsophisticated Lando Buzzanca arrives in place of Nino Manfredi. Once again, the results are fantastic, with two genial innovations. The first: the criminal from across the ocean is played by Edward G. Robinson, the iconic star of 1930s Hollywood noir (Little Caesar, to name just one), who parodies his usual style to interpret a more comic book-style gangster. The second: the Vatican is equipped with an emergency response team worthy of a James Bond film, resulting in a priceless finale in which an army of priests and monks on board all manner of vehicle give pursuit in a chase worthy of any comedy action film.
Having escaped from prison, Napoleone leads an improbable band in attempting to steal Michelangelo’s “Pietà” during Holy Week. The job is a success, but the priceless sculpture is also of interest to Joe Ventura, a psychopathic gangster arrived from America. The Vatican can’t just stand by and do nothing, so a team of priests is put together to return the masterpiece to its rightful place.
