The Gold of Naples

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The Gold of Naples

1954

1h 47m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

An anthology of stories set in Naples, Italy, where director Vittorio De Sica spent much of his childhood. The humorous yet heartfelt tales include the story of a pizza seller (Sophia Loren) who loses her wedding ring; a gambler (Totò) who is routinely beaten by a kid at cards; and the wedding of a prostitute named Teresa (Silvana Mangano). Other tales include a clown who is subjected to ridicule by a gang of criminals and the events surrounding the funeral of a small child.

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

It is well photographed. It has good music. And the English subtitles for the Italian dialogue are clever, too. But it misses saying anything more about Naples than that its people are actors down to their toes.

May 6, 2008

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The episodes range from farce to pathos, though the dominant tone is one of strained sentimentality.

Jan 1, 2000

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Vernon Young

The Hudson Review

A dazzling example of De Sica’s versatility and of his mastery of the tragicomic vein.

Jan 30, 2024

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André Bazin

Cahiers du Cinéma

As for the professional actors, it would be an understatement to say that De Sica brings out the best in them: he reconstitutes them entirely.

Jun 12, 2023

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George N. Fenin

Film Culture

[A] remarkably warm and sincere film.

Mar 28, 2022

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

A five-story package deal from Italy, overlong and at limes difficult to follow. Its best moments, however, prove that director Vittorio de Sica (Shoe Shine, The Bicycle Thief) is still a master of his craft.

Oct 25, 2019

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paul d

The five episodes (there were seven in the original Italian release) put the full range of Napoli's humanity on display, showcasing the city and its people for their grit, their wit and their infinite charm. Two performances in particular are worth the price of admission, those of Silvana Mangano as a prostitute gone straight, and screenwriter and director Vittoria de Sica himself as an unlucky, inveterate gambler.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

another winner from the gr8 Vittorio de sica

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

The scene with Loren walking down the street is classic! The rest of the film suffers in comparision...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

not much of a film but great footage of Napoli in the 50s..

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Vittorio De Sica

Director

Sophia Loren

Sofia

Totò

Don Saverio Petrillo

Silvana Mangano

Teresa

Vittorio De Sica

Count Prospero B.

Lianella Carell

Carolina

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Synopsis

An anthology of stories set in Naples, Italy, where director Vittorio De Sica spent much of his childhood. The humorous yet heartfelt tales include the story of a pizza seller (Sophia Loren) who loses her wedding ring; a gambler (Totò) who is routinely beaten by a kid at cards; and the wedding of a prostitute named Teresa (Silvana Mangano). Other tales include a clown who is subjected to ridicule by a gang of criminals and the events surrounding the funeral of a small child.

Director: Vittorio De Sica
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis, Carlo Ponti
Production Co: Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: Italian
Runtime: 1h 47m