Directed by:
Mario MonicelliScreenplay:
Leonardo BenvenutiCinematography:
Sergio D'OffiziComposer:
Nicola PiovaniCast:
Alberto Sordi, Flavio Bucci, Jacques Herlin, Marc Porel, Paolo Stoppa, Leopoldo Trieste, Cochi Ponzoni, Pietro Tordi, Mimmo Poli, Giorgio Gobbi, Caroline Berg (more)Plots(1)
Onofrio, the Marquis del Grillo, is a member of the nobility close to His Holiness Pius VII. Boredom prompts him to make regular forays among the common people, accompanied by his friend Ricciotti with whom, in disguise, he frequents Rome's taverns.
During one of these secret excursions Onofrio meets a coal merchant named Gasperino, a coarse drunkard who however is the spitting image of the Marquis. Onofrio persuades Gasperino to swap roles, so that Onofrio can follow the beautiful Olympia to France.
Meanwhile, the pope has condemned Onofrio to death; Gasperino, now standing in for the Marquis del Grillo, is arrested.
The day of the execution arrives. Onofrio is among the crowd that has gathered to watch. Although struggling with his conscience at the thought of an innocent man going to the gallows in his stead, he is even more upset that the pope sentenced him to death in the first place – and hatches a plan ... (Catalogue text from the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival, 1982)
(Berlinale)
Cast
![Alberto Sordi](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270701_1ed975.jpg)
Alberto Sordi
Italy
Best movies:
![Flavio Bucci](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270424_c9b28e.jpg)
Flavio Bucci
Italy
Best movies:
Der Zauberberg (1982)
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
The Octopus (1984) (series)
![Jacques Herlin](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/275/275946_2ecdf9.jpg)
Jacques Herlin
France
Best movies:
Welcome (2009)
The Monsters (1963)
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
![Marc Porel](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279937_9f5a66.jpg)
Marc Porel
Switzerland
Best movies:
The Sicilian Clan (1969)
Ludwig: The Mad King of Bavaria (1973)
The Violent People (1970)
![Paolo Stoppa](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/467/467358_5e60d2.jpg)
Paolo Stoppa
Italy
Best movies:
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
The Count of Monte Cristo (1954)
Rocco and His Brothers (1960)
![Leopoldo Trieste](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/440/440800_714a41.jpg)
Leopoldo Trieste
Italy
Best movies:
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Cochi Ponzoni
Italy
Best movies:
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
Couch Potatoes (2017)
The Career of a Chambermaid (1976)
![Pietro Tordi](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/030/247/30247492_77e58f.jpg)
Pietro Tordi
Italy
Best movies:
Ben-Hur (1959)
An Average Little Man (1977)
Fantomas Strikes Back (1965)
![Mimmo Poli](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/634/158634653_d77863.jpg)
Mimmo Poli
Italy
Best movies:
Roman Holiday (1953)
1900 (1976)
Trinity: Gambling for High Stakes (1978)
Giorgio Gobbi
Italy
Best movies:
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
The Ignorant Fairies (2001)
Balancing Act (2012)
Caroline Berg
Best movies:
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
Story of Women (1988)
Le due vite di Mattia Pascal (1985)
![Elisa Mainardi](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/703/160703289_e6bcf2.jpg)
Elisa Mainardi
Italy
Best movies:
Ninì Tirabusciò: la donna che inventò la mossa (1970)
The Monsters (1963)
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
Camillo Milli
Best movies:
Padre Pio: Miracle Man (2000) (TV movie)
Fantozzi Against the Wind (1980)
The Mattei Affair (1972)
Ettore Geri
Austria-Hungary
Best movies:
Avanti! (1972)
Life Is Tough, Eh Providence? (1972)
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
Riccardo Billi
Italy
Best movies:
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
The Pink Panther (1963)
Primo amore (1978)
Marina Confalone
Italy
Best movies:
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)
Febbre da cavallo (1976)
Thick As Thieves (1983)
Salvatore Francofonte
Best movies:
Giovanni Falcone (1993)
Fantozzi Against the Wind (1980)
Il marchese del Grillo (1981)