''I picari'', internationally released as ''The Rogues'', is a 1987

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

film written and directed by

Mario Monicelli Mario Alberto Ettore Monicelli (; 16 May 1915 – 29 November 2010) was an Italian film director and screenwriter, one of the masters of the ''commedia all'italiana'' ("Italian-style comedy"). He was nominated six times for an Academy Awards, Os ...

. It is freely inspired by the Spanish novels ''

Lazarillo de Tormes ''The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities'' ( ) is a Spanish novella, published anonymously because of its anticlerical content. It was published simultaneously in three cities in 1554: Alcalá de Henares, Burgos a ...

'' and '' Guzman de Alfarache''. The film was co-produced with Spain, where it was released as ''Los alegres pícaros''.

Plot

''I picari'' was the last of Monicelli's films, such as ''

L'armata Brancaleone ''L'armata Brancaleone'' (known in English-speaking countries as ''For Love and Gold'' or ''The Incredible Army of Brancaleone'') is an Italian comedy film released on April 7, 1966, written by the duo Age & Scarpelli and directed by Mario Monicel ...

'', to be set in the Renaissance and medieval eras. As in his previous films, a tilting of the society and surroundings of the characters makes the film a parody of the

goliard The goliards were a group of generally young clergy in Europe who wrote satirical Latin poetry in the 12th and 13th centuries of the Middle Ages. They were chiefly clerics who served at or had studied at the universities of France, Germany, Spain, ...

ic lifestyle of the 12th or 13th century. In 17th-century

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

, vagrants Lazarillo and Guzman meet as slaves on a ship. Both had a troubled and difficult childhood because of their parents. The first was adopted by a prostitute and a blind wanderer (

Nino Manfredi Saturnino "Nino" Manfredi (22 March 1921 – 4 June 2004) was an Italian actor, voice actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, comedian, singer, author, radio personality and television presenter. He was one of the most prominent Italian ac ...

) who earned a living by cheating and stealing. The second was beaten and scourged. Escaping from the ship in which they were held captive, Lazarillo and Guzman stop at a strange place where they cheat a blacksmith. Later, disguised as gentleman, they are hosted by an impoverished nobleman (

Vittorio Gassman Vittorio Gassman (; born Gassmann; 1 September 1922 – 29 June 2000), popularly known as , was an Italian actor, director, and screenwriter. He is considered one of the greatest Italian actors, whose career includes both important producti ...

). The two tramps, who hoped to make a fortune by entering the service of a nobleman, are shocked by his poor quarters and dire living conditions. Lazarillo and Guzman then become part of a theater company, scrape together some money, buy a prostitute, and encounter a gang of criminals. One of them kills a king's guard and is sentenced to death. His friend saves him by replacing him with another prisoner.

Cast

Giancarlo Giannini Giancarlo Giannini (; born 1 August 1942) is an Italian actor and voice actor. He won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his performance in '' Love and Anarchy'' (1973) and received an Academy Award nomination for '' Seven Beaut ...

: Guzman de Alfarache *

Enrico Montesano Enrico Montesano (born 7 June 1945) is an Italian actor, comedian, television host, screenwriter and showman. Career Montesano comes from a family involved in theatre, and he made his debut in 1966 in a show named ''Humor nero'', alongside o ...

: Lazarillo de Tormes *

: Marquis Felipe de Aragona *

: the blind wanderer *

Giuliana De Sio Giuliana De Sio (born 2 April 1957) is an Italian actress, the younger sister of pop music, pop-Folk music, folk singer Teresa De Sio. She won two David di Donatello for Best Actress and a Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress. Biography and career ...

: Rosario *

Bernard Blier Bernard Blier (; 11 January 1916 – 29 March 1989) was a French character actor. Life and career Blier was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father, a researcher at the Pasteur Institute, was posted at the time. His rotund featu ...

: the pimp * Paolo Hendel: the tutor *

Vittorio Caprioli Vittorio Caprioli (15 August 1921 – 2 October 1989) was an Italian actor, film director and screenwriter. He appeared in 109 films between 1946 and 1990, mostly in French productions. Biography Caprioli was born in Naples. Having graduated fr ...

: Mozzafiato *

Enzo Robutti Enzo Robutti (24 October 1933 – 13 February 2022) was an Italian actor, voice actor, comedian, playwright, and writer. Life and career Born in Bologna, Robutti attended the drama school of the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, and debuted on stage ...

: the Captain of the ship *

Blanca Marsillach Blanca Marsillach del Río (born 23 March 1966) is a Spanish theatrical producer, actress, and businesswoman. Biography Born in Barcelona on 23 March 1966, daughter to Adolfo Marsillach and Teresa del Río, Blanca Marsillach del Río was raised ...

: Ponzia * Maria Casanova: Pregnant Woman *

Claudio Bisio Claudio Bisio (; born 19 March 1957) is an Italian actor, presenter, comedian, voice actor, showman, director, cabaret performer and writer. Early life Bisio was born in Novi Ligure, Piedmont, and raised in Milan, Lombardy. He attended '' sc ...

: the leader of the mutinied rowers *

Sal Borgese Sal Borgese (born 5 March 1937) is an Italian film actor. He is sometimes credited as Salvatore Borghese or Mark Trevor. He is noted for extensive work in the Italian film industry from the 1960s to present day, and for his work as a stuntman an ...

: the boatswain *

Sabrina Ferilli Sabrina Ferilli (born 28 June 1964) is an Italian theatre and film actress. She has won five Nastro d'Argento (including a special award in 2016 for civil engagement for her performance in '' Me, Myself and Her''), a Globo d'oro, six Ciak d'oro ...

the young prostitute

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rogues (film) 1987 films Commedia all'italiana Films directed by Mario Monicelli Films set in the 17th century Films set in Spain 1980s Italian-language films Italian historical comedy films 1980s historical comedy films Films with screenplays by Suso Cecchi d'Amico 1980s Italian films Italian-language historical comedy films

Plot

Cast

See also

References

External links