Il Bidone (1955)

  'Il Bidone' is a 1955 Italian film directed by Frederico Fellini. It is the middle part of Fellini's trilogy of independence succeeding 'La Strada' and preceding 'Nights of Cabiria'.

  Augusto is a lonely aging crook living in Italy. He organizes and operates big swindles and lives a life off of other people's money. His two younger friends, Roberto and Picasso, helping him out with these cons. Picasso has a wife and child, and things don't go too well when they find out his proffession. After Augusto meeting with his daughter, a crazy 'Italian style' party and various hustles, things go terribly wrong after stealing money from a father with two crippled daughter.

  'La Strada' and 'Nights of Cabiria' are two amazing, acclaimed films, but Il Bidone is relatively unknown. Fellini's best movies were early in his career and were better than his colour epics, when Fellini turned into a 'sick old man'. All of his early films are filled with creativity and style, I am surprised this one slipped under the radar.

  This film does seem to be worse dubbed than his other films. Half the cast was American and didn't even speak the language, so the dub is amazing considering this. Also interesting, is the cast which wasn't American, weren't actors. They were largely  found on streets or in bars, the only 'real' actor was Fellini's muse Giulietta Masina, who brilliantly plays the part of Picasso's wife. Riddled with many pre production and production troubles, Fellini must have worked wonders in the post-production process.

  My favourite part of the film is the ending (skip to the next paragraph if you don't want a SPOILER). The finale is great as it tricks the audience, while not expecting it. Like similar films of the era, you expect him to be beaten to death, until they realise they can't find the money. Giving an Itlaian neo-realist 'be good and bad things will happen' view on things. Turning this on it's head, they find the money and leave him beaten down a hill. Very clever.

  It's better than many of his films (Satyricon, Amarcord, Il Vitiloni), but not as good as others (8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, Nights of Cabiria, La Strada). It sits in the middle as being in the 'good but not a masterpiece' section of his career.

TO CONCLUDE
Another great film from Fellini. Wrongfully forgotten.

SCORE
77