daflauta THE BEST of all Italian comic movies through all ages. Precursory of neorealism, of which Mario Monicelli is an exponent. Superb BW photography, extraordinary soundtrack, state-of-the art acting, and... Totò, a serious and sensitive human being behind his picturesque characters. A very faithful portrait of Italy and Italian people. I strongly recommend "I soliti ignoti", "Bocaccio 70", "L'armata Brancaleone", "Parenti, serpenti" as a next appreciation of Monicelli's great comic filmography. I also recommend "Proibito', "I compagni", "La grande guerra", more serious although always with a bit of sarcasm within.