Big Deal on Madonna Street (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

This a hilarious film that has aged extremely well. Not dated at all. Imagine the Three Stooges meet Oceans 11.

In order to fully appreciate the wit in this film it would be a good idea to have viewed Rififi des Hommes first. Many elements of Rififi have been masterly "borrowed" and adapted with great success to a really funny film. From a child being included to the services of a master safe cracker, from the empty adjoining property to the proposed heist's location, to the black and white format. But what an amazing result. Just to see a young and impossibly handsome Vittorio Gassman and Marcello Mastroianni to the hilarious Toto as the master safe cracker who in this case sells his tools and advice but does not participate in the proposed heist. If you wish a good heartfelt laugh this is the film to watch, all the more so if you are fluent in Italian, but the subtitles suffice.

I should admit immediately I was affected/distracted by the fast paced, Italian dialogue and my attempt to keep up with the subtitles was a bit of a task.There are without a doubt some good performers in Big Deal On Madonna Street (1958) led by Vittorio Gassman (Sharkey’s Machine) and the highly regarded Marcello Mastroianni.Also acquitting himself very well is Renato Salvatori—reminding me of Russ Tamblyn—as Mario who has the good sense and pleasure of pursuing the young and lovely Claudia Cardinale in the movie. Some humor here is Mario’s attention to robbery detail may not be as enthusiastic as his attention to Carmela (Cardinale). Plus, her brother is also involved in the caper. She is not.Veteran Italian comedian Toto is good for a laugh—and the small thin, old man of the crew sure has an appetite. Always eating! He sets a quick table too. Ha ha (in movie).Anyways, Mario Monicelli Directed and co-authored Big Deal On Madonna Street giving the film a stark black and white, poverty stricken look yet the characters really don’t complain about being poor. But, they need money, so, the safe they heard is easy pickings deserves to be there’s. They just need to do this and this and the other thing, and oh yeah, anybody know a safecracker? Without blowing it up?That’s the extent of the humor basically. I guess it is kind of cute (amongst their poverty) but it’s really not all that funny.Criterion DVD offers a New Digital Transfer. It does look good (think/see Bicycle Thief comparison). Big Deal got immediate cred’ for downplaying (satirizing?) the much more serious, John Huston robbery noir thriller The Asphalt Jungle.Yeah ok!I did like The Madonna Street caper a bit more than the agreeable-flat remake Crackers.That’s not saying muchBig Deal Madonna Street3.7 stars

For virtually my entire life this great film has been called the masterpiece prototype of Italian Cinema ensemble comedy, and with no serious challenges either. This production is superbly created by many of Italy's most famous comic performers, and became the gold standard for screwed-up "heist" stories. Even if you may have to read the sub-titles for much of the dialogue, it is a small price to pay in order to enjoy this fabulous classic comedy. Get this, "SUBITO".

This is a historic film, but its genius is that it is not out-of-date. The plot, casting and acting is simply wonderful. The film is laugh-out-loud funny. The DVD is used but in really good shape. All in all an excellent purchase.

Funny, poignant, and well paced. A classic Italian comedy with social commentary. Highly recommend!

Mario Monicelli is regarded as undoubtedly one of the top half-dozen directors representing Italy's Golden Age of Post-War Cinema during the 1950's and 60's. This is an early caper film very much in the vein of "IL Bidone" where we follow the activities of an inept and bungling cadre of not very bright would-be thieves in their misguided attempt to rob a business on Madonna Street. The entire plot is played for humor with the outcome always in doubt, but a foregone conclusion. Monicelli deftly directs his ensemble cast of characters in an almost surrealistic atmospheric world of criminal losers, some of which are retired, (and should have stayed so.)The caper is engrossing as it unfolds and the viewer really roots for the unlikely success of the perpetrators. One of the diverse group of supporting players is Marcello Mastroianni, in one of his better roles. The cast also includes Vittorio Gassman and Toto,with a very young Claudia Cardinale appearing in an almost insignificantly small part. Big Deal is a fun watch and Criterion hasdone a beautiful job in creating and releasing a pristine new digital transfer from the original film elements. The new subtitles are easy to read, even though they flash on the screen almost too fast for a speed reader. I recommend Big Deal because of theenjoyment it offers and the film has withstood the test of time in the pantheon of classic Italian films.

Big Deal on Madonna Street is one of the most highly regaured modern movie from Italy. I enjoyed this movie very much- but it is not one of the greatest movies ever made. If the viewer would like to spend a pleasent hour and half seeing a good movie, this would be a good pick.

This is the very first movie I ever saw with subtitles.The very first movie I ever heard where the actors didn't speak English.Up to this point as far as I was concerned movies either came from America or England and that was that.This movie changed my whole way of thinking and opened up a whole new world.

Very funny. Prompt delivery