Mario Monicelli

The Organizer

The Organizer

In turn-of-the-twentieth-century Turin, an accident in a textile factory incites workers to stage a walkout. But it’s not until they receive unexpected aid from a traveling professor (Marcello Mastroianni) that they find their voice, unite, and stand up for themselves. This historical drama by Mario Monicelli, brimming with humor and honesty, is a beautiful and moving ode to the power of the people, and features engaging, naturalistic performances; cinematography by the great Giuseppe Rotunno; and a multilayered, Oscar-nominated screenplay by Monicelli, Agenore Incrocci, and Furio Scarpelli.

Film Info

  • Italy
  • 1963
  • 130 minutes
  • Black & White
  • 1.85:1
  • Italian
  • Spine #610

Special Features

  • New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
  • Introduction by director Mario Monicelli from 2006
  • Trailer
  • New English subtitle translation
  • PLUS: A new essay by film critic J. Hoberman

    New cover by Caitlin Kuhwald

Purchase Options

Special Features

  • New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
  • Introduction by director Mario Monicelli from 2006
  • Trailer
  • New English subtitle translation
  • PLUS: A new essay by film critic J. Hoberman

    New cover by Caitlin Kuhwald
The Organizer
Cast
Marcello Mastroianni
Professor Sinigaglia
Renato Salvatori
Raoul
Annie Girardot
Niobe
Folco Lulli
Pautasso
Gabriella Giorgelli
Adele
Bernard Blier
Martinetti
Raffaella Carrà
Bianca
François Périer
Maestro Di Meo
Vittorio Sanipoli
Baudet
Franco Ciolli
Omero
Credits
Director
Mario Monicelli
Produced by
Franco Cristaldi
Written by
Mario Monicelli
Written by
Agenore Incrocci
Written by
Furio Scarpelli
in collaboration with
Suso Cecchi D’Amico
Cinematography
Giuseppe Rotunno
Film editing
Ruggero Mastroianni
Production design
Mario Garbuglia
Costume design
Piero Tosi
Original music
Carlo Rustichelli

Current

The Organizer: Description of a Struggle
The Organizer: Description of a Struggle
An unverifiable, if heartfelt, assertion: For the quarter century between 1945 and 1970 (or from Rome Open City to Fellini Satyricon), the world’s greatest popular cinema was produced in Italy—a realm of glamorous superstars, sensational comedian…

By J. Hoberman

I’m All Right Jack and The Organizer: Bread and Roses and a Lot of Laughs
I’m All Right Jack and The Organizer: Bread and Roses and a Lot of Laughs

Two marvels of midcentury social commentary now streaming on the Criterion Channel show how progress can be a one-step-forward, two-steps-backward process.

By Michael Sragow

Workers Unite: Mario Monicelli on The Organizer
Workers Unite: Mario Monicelli on The Organizer
The Organizer is a dramatically political statement from director Mario Monicelli. More commonly known for lighter films like Big Deal on Madonna Street, Monicelli created an expression of the necessity of collective action that is both gritty a…