Storyline

At a track near Rome, shoeshine boys are watching horses run. Two of them, the orphan Pasquale and his younger friend Giuseppe, are riding. The pair have been saving to buy their own horse. They meet Attilio, Giuse's much-older brother, and his shady friend at a boat on the Tiber. In return for a commission, the boys agree to deliver black-market goods to a fortuneteller. Once the woman has paid, Attilio's gang suddenly arrives, pretending to be cops, to shake the woman down. With a payoff from Attilio, the boys are able to make the final payment and stable their horse in Trastevere over the river. The fortuneteller identifies Pasqua and Giuse. Held at an overcrowded boys' prison, they are separated. Giuse falls under the influence of an older lad in his cell, Arcangeli. During interrogation, Pasqua is tricked into betraying Giuse's brother to the police. With their trial still in the future, the two friends are driven further apart.—David Carless

Plot Keywords

shoeshine boy, orphan, brother, con artist, police officer, bleak, emotional, racetrack, rome, boat, troubled youth, corruption, poverty, freedom, friendship, underdog, fall, escape, 1940s

Short Review

It is filled, in every scene, with an awareness of the pitiful complexity of the causes of even simple evil.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership

2. Apple iTunes : Track Price: 9.99, Track Rental Price: 3.99, Collection Price: 9.99,

3. Vudu : [SD - Buy: 9.99]