Running men

This is the lengthy but funny chase scene from the classic neorealistic comedy Guardie e ladri (1951, Cops and robbers), directed by Steno and Mario Monicelli, starring Totò and Aldo Fabrizi. The film is beautifully shot by Mario Bava.

Tim Lucas discusses the film, and this scene in particular, in his book Mario Bava: All the colors of dark:

“…during the initial chase scene in the theater, longshots of the actors cut unexpectedly to shots of the overwrought actors coming absurdly close to the lens, creating contrasts which are in themselves funny. Likewise, Bava’s handling of the long chase sequence is comical in its technique; stationary shots that isolate the physical struggle of the individuals involved in the pursuit are intercut with mobile shots photographed from the lead, encompassing in depth Totò, Fabrizi, Tubbs, and the unpaid taxi driver, in which we perceive that everyone (hindered by weight, age, and poor condition) is actually running absurdly slowly, juxtaposing all their expended energy and desperation with a pathetic yet hilarious dainty trot.” (p. 110)

Give or take 39 years....

This poster for Lucio Fulci's The New Gladiators (1984, I guerrieri dell'anno 2072 ) is of course more exciting than the film itself.

I'm just wondering why they changed the year in the title to 2033. Maybe someone thought it sounds cooler?