Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

In the labyrinth of Rome's bustling streets, Cosimo, a small-time crook with grand ambitions, finds himself wrongly accused and imprisoned for a crime he insists he did not commit. With his dreams of becoming a criminal mastermind temporarily thwarted, he passes the torch to the hard-hitting, former boxer Peppe, entrusting him with a lucrative plan - a daring heist of a pawnshop nestled in the peaceful heart of Madonna Street. As the whispers of this tempting venture ripple through the underbelly of the city, it's not Peppe, but rather Cosimo's ragtag team of endearing but bumbling petty criminals who step into the fray. Among them are Tiberio, an impoverished photographer juggling his passion for the lens with paternal responsibilities, Mario, a skilled receiver, the fiery Sicilian Michele, and the washed-up jockey, Capannelle. Guided by the wisdom of Dante, a seasoned burglar now living in the shadows of retirement, the motley crew embarks on their audacious mission. However, they soon discover that the quiet Madonna Street guards its secrets well and the seemingly foolproof heist unravels into a comedy of errors that will test their bonds and their wits. Will the planned masterpiece of crime go ahead as envisioned, or will the team's incompetence pave the road to their downfall? The answer lies in the heart of Madonna Street, where ambitions, dreams, and realities collide in a riotous ballet of chaos and camaraderie.

Big Deal on Madonna Street is a comedy movie featuring Vittorio Gassman.

Big Deal on Madonna Street is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.