Treasure of San Gennaro

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.^[1]

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. For the customs of the natives are too weird and incomprehensible to them. So the two men and the girl (the gang members) go to a prison, following the advice of a friend. There he would find the man who would have done in their case. It is a certain Don Vincenzo, a very famous in the city for his theft. He however, since it is known by everyone there, is treated in the prison as a gentleman by the guards with all possible facilities. The Americans, when they see this type of treatment, impossible in a country like them, remain quite stunned. Don Vincenzo warmly received them and advises them to go to Naples to look for a certain Armandino Girasole, said "Dudù". He, a young thief by profession, would help them steal the treasure of San Gennaro, fortunately not mentioned by the Americans to Don Vincenzo. The Americans, keeping secret the purpose of theft, meet Dudù and agree with him.

During their various meetings to prepare the plan, Americans realize dell'allegria and at the same time grotesque situation of the city of Naples, a symbol of Italy. Everyone thinks of nothing but amusement, both rich and poor, taking care only to live life as best they can. In fact, in Italy in those years was just exploded the economic boom. The leader of the gang: Jack, is unacceptable behavior Dudù. In fact he, although it is estimated throughout the city as a professional thief, friend of even the cops, he behaves in a manner completely indecent. According to Jack Dudù should show at least a little 'of seriousness to prepare the plan in its rich seaside villa, once Armandino instead tells the gang that can not study the plan because it has to go to the football game, because another must do witness at the wedding or christening and also participate in the huge banquet evening of celebration. While other colleagues are having fun, Jack has had it up because you do not agree to commit a robbery in the middle of the adults who act like children. During a wedding banquet in which Dudu has also invited himself to eat a free ride, the Americans to their surprise they also meet the prisoner Don Vincenzo. He was released for a whole day Dlala prison only to join the party! Jack has had enough and afree must also contend with his friend Joe, who was placed on the table to taste the mussels voraciously. In fact, that was a typical Italian dish almost unknown in America and Joe is profiting, intoxicated by the delicious flavor of these molluscs. Unfortunately, he will die for indigestion!

Jack thinks after the funeral to give up the blow, but eventually convinces her to groped again the shot. Without him noticing, however, his girlfriend Maggie slowly begins to fall in love with Dudù. The penultimate day before the famous shot, Dudu and all the rest of the gang, including his right arm Sciascillo, meets in his big mansion by the sea. Jack, on the verge of losing patience, order the fool Sciascillo to do well the guard, do not let anyone disturb him during the design of the plan. Unfortunately Sciascillo falls asleep and enters every five minutes in the house of a friend Dudù, trying to sell fake watches and other junk like that. Jack, unable to contain the gullibility of Naples, comes out of the house with a gun in his hand and starts to chase Sciascillo shooting.

The design of the theft is ready and so on the last day all those who come in the Cathedral of San Gennaro to pray to the saint so do not get angry of stealing. Dudu, now that he knows the real reason for the shot, is very concerned because they do not want to betray his country, and especially his favorite saint. However he also talking with Don Vincenzo, re-released to another commitment, tells him that he will use part of the Treasure of San Gennaro to charities. All are convinced finally groped the shot that night, but it happens a mess.

In fact Dudù has just forgotten that night in Italy would begin the celebration of the Song Festival in Napoli. An event so famous all over the country should not be taken so lightly in Naples: people will come out to the streets to comment on the various songs and celebrate in bars. Jack and Maggie, as Americans, they could not understand the huge fuss that would be created in the streets of Naples. So Dudù and Sciascillo think to sell all the houses and even in police stations TVs from two cents to ward off the spirits. Carried out the task, Dudù can now until the end of the festival agirecome best he can in the catacombs of the cathedral. In the channels of the sewers, smashed all the protective walls with dynamite, remains the last concrete wall to break through. Unfortunately, however, the hole made in the wall to put the TNT is too small, so Dudù has an idea: an idea that would not come to anyone else except to an Italian. He grabs a rat and the TNT binds him on, making him run away in a hole behind the wall of cement, which soon breaks for the explosion. Now, finally, the three can access the treasure room of San Gennaero and after a few attempts fail to break through the strong crystal display case.

The next day he learns that Jack Dudù p dead, betrayed and killed by his partner Maggie, who wants to go to America with all the jewels of the treasure. Dudù must prevent or rather delay the departure of the aircraft. Who to contact if not the prisoner Don Vincenzo? Dudù calls his friend to prison, which shall be to phone a friend of his Air Station and to delay the departure of the flight to the United States. Don Vincenzo, with absolute calm, replied that ritardae the flight of a plane is not important stuff from nothing, but reassures him that will do everything possible. His friend at the airport will close for sure an eye. Dudù rushes into the car at the airport and tries to capture Maggie, disguised as a nun to avoid recognition. Without being discovered, Dudu, in the guise of a porter, starts to open all bags who snatch, not finding what you are searching. In fact, Maggie has slipped all the jewels on him, fearing that his baggage could be seized. The American thief thinks he has fooled everyone in Italy, but Sciascillo and Dudù are smarter than you and thus rob, bringing the Treasure of San Gennaro in Naples in its place.