Il Bidone

Synopsis

Federico Fellini's Il bidone sits between La Strada (1954) and Nights Of Cabiria (1957) in his 'trilogy of loneliness' and displays the hallmarks of his emerging talent. Augusto (Broderick Crawford) is the leader of a gang of small-time con men who travel around the countryside in various disguises, elaborately tricking the ignorant and poor out of their savings. His accomplices are Picasso (Richard Basehart), who is only trying to earn a decent living (though by indecent means) to support his wife and small daughter, and the charming Roberto (Franco Fabrizi). The tone at first is light-hearted, and then becomes sombre as the true cruelty of the swindlers' tricks becomes apparent. The trio's lack of morality is tested when Augusto is reunited with his estranged daughter and Picasso is faced with the disapproving patience of his loving wife (played by Fellini's wife, Giulietta Masina). Featuring excellent performances from Crawford, Basehart and Masina, set against a colourful backdrop of sharply observed characters and exuberant music, this social drama is by turns comic, bitter and tragic.

Special Features

- Interview with Fellini's assistant director Dominique Delouche
- Stills gallery
- 12-page booklet containing film notes by film historian Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, film review, biographies and an extract from Dominique Delouche's diary, written during filming