Il Bidone
In Fellini's sardonically humorous, yet powerfully dramatic Il Bidone three small-time crooks impersonate priests in Rome to con poor people out of their money. Academy Award-winner Broderick Crawford is extraordinary as the group's world-weary leader whose chance meeting with his daughter opens his eyes to his wrongdoing. Too late, he suffers a crisis of conscience in this absorbing tale of hope, desperation and, finally, redemption.
One of Fellini's most realistic films, Il Bidone begins as an Italian comedy of errors, its swindles reminiscent of The Sting, yet there is true sting in its harsh portrayal of greed and squalor. The middle chapter in Fellini's "trilogy of loneliness" between La Strada and Nights Of Cabiria, this classic film will tug at your heart and astonish you with its aching sense of compassion.
Member Reviews
Seemed very sad story with no redeeming features - Moir
The central figure is a con man and it is a tragedy only in the sense of showing a paltry life and a sad finish to it. The film is skillfully made, as one might expect; otherwise, I would have given it only one star. [The skill of its making however did not seem that special as to make up for what felt to me a very sad story about characters following a very dismal path in their lives.]Italian swindle flick - Sicani
Early and relatively obscure Fellini. This movie contains some classic moments of wicked social commentary, pathos and dark comedy. A team of slick swindlers from the city prey on superstitious, gullible and poverty-stricken country people in a series of scams. But there is no honour among thieves and even the search for redemption takes on twisted overtones.Where is the Interest? - Mad_Dog
You read the reviews and they give the impression that the story is funny. Most of us have seen good con movies before (The Sting stands out for me) so you expect this filrm will be interesting. Not so.
You see crooks con poor people out of their money. It is not funny when they do it (I may have laughed once during the entire movie). If the crooks regret what they do, this is rarely evident. The movie is centered on people who are not interesting or sympathetic and they con other (more interesting?) people out of money.
Member Reviews
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Seemed very sad story with no redeeming features - Moir
The central figure is a con man and it is a tragedy only in the sense of showing a paltry life and a sad finish to it. The film is skillfully made, as one might expect; otherwise, I would have given it only one star. [The skill of its making however did ...Italian swindle flick - Sicani
Early and relatively obscure Fellini. This movie contains some classic moments of wicked social commentary, pathos and dark comedy. A team of slick swindlers from the city prey on superstitious, gullible and poverty-stricken country people in a series of ...Where is the Interest? - Mad_Dog
You read the reviews and they give the impression that the story is funny. Most of us have seen good con movies before (The Sting stands out for me) so you expect this filrm will be interesting. Not so.
You see crooks con poor people out of their ...