Treasure of San Gennaro
| Treasure of San Gennaro (Operazione San Gennaro) |
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| Directed by | Dino Risi |
| Produced by | Turi Vasile |
| Written by |
Adriano Baracco Ennio De Concini Dino Risi |
| Starring |
Nino Manfredi Senta Berger Totò Claudine Auger Mario Adorf Harry Guardino |
| Music by | Armando Trovajoli |
| Cinematography | Aldo Tonti |
| Distributed by |
Interfilm Paramount Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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104 minutes |
| Country | Italy France |
| Language | Italian |
Treasure of San Gennaro (Italian: Operazione San Gennaro) is a 1966 Italian comedy film starring Nino Manfredi, Senta Berger, Totò and Claudine Auger. It is directed by Dino Risi and is a funny classic story of a perfect robbery plan gone wrong in the Italian way. It was entered into the 5th Moscow International Film Festival where it won a Silver Prize.
In Italy in the Sixties, a gang of American thieves arrive in Naples to steal the famous Treasure of San Gennaro. However the Americans do not know how to move in the picturesque town, because for them the customs of the natives are too weird and incomprehensible. So the two men and the girl (the gang members) go to a prison, following the advice of a friend. There they would find, the man who would assist them in their case, a certain Don Vincenzo, who is a famous thief in the city. However, since he is known by everyone in the prison, he is treated by the guards as a gentleman and with respect. The Americans, when they see this type of treatment, which would be impossible in their country, are quite stunned. Don Vincenzo warmly receives them and advises them to go to Naples and look for a certain Armandino Girasole, known as "Dudù". He says that Dudù is a young thief by profession and he could help them. But the Americans, do not reveal to Don Vincenzo what they intend to steal. They meet Dudù and he agrees to work with them.
During their various meetings to prepare the plan, the Americans witness the cheerfulness as well as the grotesque situation of the city of Naples, a symbol of Italy. Everyone whether rich or poor, thinks of nothing but amusement, taking care only to live life as best they can. In fact, the economic boom occurred in Italy during these years. Jack, the leader of the gang, views Dudù's behavior as unacceptable. In fact, although he is known throughout the city as a professional thief, friend of even the cops, he behaves in a manner completely flippant. According to Jack, Dudù should show at least some seriousness and study the plan at his seaside villa. Instead, Dudù tells Jack that can not study the plan because one of his own gang members has to go to the football game, and another must attend a wedding or christening and also celebrate at the evening's huge banquet. While other colleagues are having fun, Jack is frustrated because, he thinks, one does not agree to commit a robbery with adults who act like children. During the wedding banquet in which Dudù is also invited, the Americans, to their surprise, also meet the prisoner Don Vincenzo who was released from the prison for the day only to join the party! Jack has had enough but he must also contend with his friend Joe, who was seated at the table to taste a delicious plate of mussels, a typical Italian dish almost unknown in America. Joe, gorged himself on the mussels. Unfortunately, he dies from indigestion.
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Wikipedia