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The Challenge

Original title: La sfida
  • 1958
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
382
YOUR RATING
The Challenge (1958)
CrimeDrama

Vito Polara is a young ambitious man from the slums of Naples, who wants to get as much power and money as possible. He decides to quit smuggling cigarettes and tries to take over the local ... Read allVito Polara is a young ambitious man from the slums of Naples, who wants to get as much power and money as possible. He decides to quit smuggling cigarettes and tries to take over the local fruit and vegetable distribution, which is considered more profitable. After challenging t... Read allVito Polara is a young ambitious man from the slums of Naples, who wants to get as much power and money as possible. He decides to quit smuggling cigarettes and tries to take over the local fruit and vegetable distribution, which is considered more profitable. After challenging the rural crime boss of the local Camorra, Vito becomes part of his gang and soon his life ... Read all

  • Director
    • Francesco Rosi
  • Writers
    • Suso Cecchi D'Amico
    • Enzo Provenzale
    • Francesco Rosi
  • Stars
    • Rosanna Schiaffino
    • José Suárez
    • Nino Vingelli
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    382
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Writers
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico
      • Enzo Provenzale
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Stars
      • Rosanna Schiaffino
      • José Suárez
      • Nino Vingelli
    • 4User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations total

    Photos5

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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Rosanna Schiaffino
    Rosanna Schiaffino
    • Assunta
    José Suárez
    José Suárez
    • Vito Polara
    Nino Vingelli
    Nino Vingelli
    • Gennaro
    Decimo Cristiani
    • Raffaele
    Tina Castigliano
    • La madre di Vito
    Pasquale Cennamo
    • Salvatore Ajello
    Elsa Valentino Ascoli
    • La madre di Assunta
    José Jaspe
    José Jaspe
    • Ferdinando Ajello
    Nello Ascoli
    Salvatore Cafiero
    Guido Cante
    Gennaro Di Napoli
    Elsa Fiore
    Ferdinando Gerra
    Ubaldo Granata
    • Califano
    Giosué Ippolito
    Mario Laurentino
    Guglielmo Spoletini
    Guglielmo Spoletini
    • Director
      • Francesco Rosi
    • Writers
      • Suso Cecchi D'Amico
      • Enzo Provenzale
      • Francesco Rosi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Italian censorship visa # 26331 delivered on 4 March 1958.
    • Connections
      Featured in Il cineasta e il labirinto (2004)

    User reviews4

    Featured review

    Respectable first feature from a major director.

    Rosi, later director of SALVATORE GIULIANO and the Gian Maria Volonte thrillers, is running up to speed here but the strong use of location - Naples tenements contrasted to the farming community - makes him an interesting link between the Neo Realists and the political thriller lot of the seventies, Damiano and the rest.

    Suarez, the lead, switches from cigarette smuggling to vegetables, forming an uneasy alliance with the rural crime Don. We know he's going to get his but before that happens he's paired with Schiafino among the laundry drying on the roof, so that their mothers can argue whether she's an under age innocent or the local slut, and moved her into a bay view flat. Some suspense builds with in the final drive back to the city.

    Compare this one with the similar themed American JUKE GIRL and THIEVES' HIGHWAY.

    The technicians are excellent, with Di Venanzo's total focus look evident here before his Antonioni successes made him famous.
    • Mozjoukine
    • Apr 25, 2004
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 6, 1958 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • Spain
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Die Herausforderung
    • Filming locations
      • Roma, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Cinecittà
      • Lux Film
      • Suevia Films - Cesáreo González
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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