The Treasure of San Gennaro (1966)

Better Late Then Never

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Blistering performances.

Still good 51 years after. We got Toto, Nino Manfredi, Mario Adorf, 3 great great comic actors. Plus Senta Berger, young and sexy, Claudine Auger, also young and very sexy (her best role from all), Harry Guardino. Toto, which was one of greatest comic actors ever, has just a small part. Manfredi and Adorf, other two huge comics, not only of the Italian cinema but also international (mostly Adorf who is still alive), they have more consistent roles.

TREASURE OF SAN GENNARO is a wacky Italian heist comedy in which an all-star team of crooks attempt to pull off a large-scale heist only to find themselves thwarted at every turn by the ill fortunes of fate. As such this is largely a comedy of terrors with all kinds of situational comedy and just plain bad luck thrown into the mix.The film is very stylish as you'd expect from a light and breezy Italian comedy made in the 1960s. It reminded me something of the Eurospy films being pumped out during the decade although of course there isn't much in the way of a Bond influence; this is more like a take on RIFIFI or something similar.The cast is a lot of fun, featuring Nino Manfredi in a hard-working turn as the ringleader of the gang and Mario Adorf as a thuggish/stupid ally. Italian comedian Toto plays an old timer. Harry Guardino is the imported American star while Claudine Auger and in particular Senta Berger (whom the camera loves) add Euro glamour.

One of the funniest films I've seen, it's, at its essence, the classic story of a perfect robbery plan gone wrong in the Italian way, a bit like "I Soliti ignoti" ("Rufufú" for the Spaniards). Indeed it's an impressive meeting of Italian artists: Dino Risi was known for his optimistic realistic films, and the cast includes the great comedian Totó. And it delivers even better than it appears.A pair of Americans want to do the greatest robbery: the treasure of San Genaro, in Napoli. But, Christ, these are the jewels of a saint, and they must convince religious and a bit superstitious "professionals" to do the job. The fun are spread everywhere: the characters and their acts are the classic Risi people, but there are very good slapstick gags, action parts, and an absurd but somewhat restrained sense of humor that carries the film pretty well. Believe me: with some parts in the theft I bursted out laughing as very few times I've had (some Hawks, some Wilder, some Sturges), and I can recall lively many twists and still laugh at them.If you come across this movie, please don't miss it. One overlooked one to discover.

In the greatest city of the world someone wants to steal the San Gennaro's treasure. Dudu (Nino Manfredi) boss of "La Sanità" (a popular quarter of Naples) is taking time to make the right choice: can they succeed? is it really a great occasion? will San Gennaro be happy? The comedy let us understand lot of things about the city of Naples and its habits: superstitious practices, amazing people (like "the baron": the only man who has the heart on the right) and their passion for music (the Festival of Neapolitan song, and the great singer Sergio Bruni, he always wants to be the last to sing)... And TOTO', playing the role of DON VINCENZO IL FENOMENO: a genius.