1944. Primo Arcovazzi is a fanatical and dim-witted Fascist Party militiaman who accepts to escort an opponent of the regime to Rome in the hope of be promoted — still oblivious as ever to the forthcoming fall of the regime.
Acting
Tognazzi's physical comedy as the delusional fascist is masterclass clowning.
Writing
Sharp satire that somehow humanizes without ever excusing.
Director
Luciano Salce
Ugo Tognazzi
Federale Primo Arcovazzi
Georges Wilson
Professor Erminio Bonafé
Mireille Granelli
Rita
Stefania Sandrelli
Lisa
Gianrico Tedeschi
Arcangelo Baldacci
Elsa Vazzoler
Matilde Baldacci
Renzo Palmer
Partigiano Taddei
Gianni Agus
Capo del fascio di Cremona
Franco Giacobini
Militare a Rocca Sabina
Ester Carloni
Signora abruzzese
Leonardo Severini
Peppino De Martino
Politico antifascista nascosto
Salvo Libassi
Edy Biagetti
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released when Italy was still processing fascist legacy, the film was controversial for making a blackshirt protagonist sympathetic through incompetence.
Tognazzi based Arcovazzi's marching gait on Mussolini's actual posture, studied from newsreels — a physical joke that lands harder knowing the history.
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