Hands Over the City - Criterion Collection (1963)

Anchored by a ferocious lead performance from Rod Steiger as a scheming land developer, Francesco Rosi’s Hands Over the City moves breathlessly from a cataclysmic building collapse to the backroom negotiations of civic leaders vying for power in the City Council election. Plunging headfirst into the politically driven real-estate speculation that has devastated Naples’ civilian landscape, Hands Over the City, which was awarded the Golden Lion at the 1963 Venice Film Festival, remains a blistering work of social realism.

Bare-knuckled punch of reality

This is a bare-knuckled movie about politics and development. It takes place in Naples in the 1950s but it could be anywhere and anytime where existing institutions are changing and new economic opportunities are being created. The movie builds to a moral crescendo in the penultimate scene, where a lead character proclaims: "Always, in every society, when things begin to change, someone tries to grab everything he can. Everything he can, without concern for the needs and hopes of the people." It gave me goosebumps. The transfer is excellent, you will not be disappointed. April 3, 2008

Compelling Addition to the Italian Neo- Realist Canon

I'd not known of Hands Over the City till recently, but surely, given it was released in 1963, a case could be made "Hands" belongs to the post war Italian neo-realist canon, and deserves to stand with such famed neo-realist works like Open City and Bicycle Thief. Yet, for a film over 40 years old, it is remarkably contemporary and its relevance can't be denied. I can't imagine why Marty Scorsese would overlook this gritty, tough film in his "My Voyage to Italy" for there is much here to admire, and most important, that Rosi makes no concession to spoon feed the narrative to his audience. It is a complicated and challenging work, full of fast moving ideas that may take more than one viewing to sort through the nuances, not to mention all the characters and issues - but it's well worth it. Rich, robust film making, this, and I plan to revisit "Hands" often because it easily sustains multiple viewings. Looking for a real movie that packs a wallop? You've found it. July 9, 2007

Hands Over the City

Raw, searing Italian feature's semi-documentary style hurls the viewer into a cauldron of greed, obfuscation and obsession, as we view up-close the morass of red tape and shady backroom dealings that supposedly characterized the inner workings of Naples at the time. Steiger, by turns oily, calculating and volcanic in the central role of Nottola, carries this outstanding, still relevant film. An unqualified triumph for director Rosi., you should definitely lay your hands on this title. June 27, 2007

Politics And Corruption: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together

Francesco Rosi's "Hands Over The City," though released in 1963, displays remarkable insight and timeliness in exposing the political machinations within a particular city government. It seems not a lot has changed over the years as profit motivations and winning at any cost are still more significant political agendas than any social or environmental concerns. The film was, and still remains, a relevant examination of political process at its most compromised. Having gone through the many questions and controversies surrounding New Orleans' Katrina disaster--where the city's infrastructure was called into question--I couldn't help but think how universal the themes presented within "Hands" have turned out to be.

The film begins as a group of land developers, led by Rod Steiger, decide to purchase public lands to privately expand their housing projects. Pushed through in three days due to political connections, the project is called into question when their construction crew inadvertently brings down a building that is still inhabited. It's a harrowing and believable scene that sets the stage for the rest of the film.

The first half of "Hands" depicts the investigation into the tragedy. Although it is clear that Steiger and his group are culpable, it becomes a moot point as the committee assigned to research the matter is shuffled from office to office. In one of the more affecting sequences in the film, the group meets up with the various parties within the bureaucratic machine that have a hand in construction projects and each one passes the buck to the next. With lack of any cooperation, the quest for truth never reaches fruition.

The second half deals more with the repercussions of the event. Steiger, whose reputation has been questioned, still wants to be appointed City Commissioner. And here, we witness many boardroom meetings and backroom deals. It's matter-of-fact and well presented, an intriguing look behind the scenes. One Commissioner who does not want to be in league with Steiger tries to withdraw from his party. As he is told, "In political life, moral indignation is a worthless commodity." A blunt and realistic observation, even in today's world.

"Hands Over the City" is ultimately more about processes than people. The characters here are really secondary to the dealmaking. A fascinating and intelligent film, check out "Hands"--you might be surprised how timely it seems. KGHarris, 12/06. December 2, 2006

a very nice film

Hands Over the City, released in Italy as "Le Mani sulla città" is a film that depicts the city council of Naples Italy. In the film they are corrupt and assisting a greedy land deveolper.

The film is inspired by actual events but the characters in the film are fictional. The lead part is played by American actor, Rod Steiger whose lines appear to be dubbed.

(Also, the film "I Cento Passi" or "One Hundred Steps" contains a movie theater scene where Hands over the City is shown. This is another good film about real life Sicillian anti-mafia activist, Peppino Impastato who was later murdered. This is another good film but is unavailable in the US. The official DVD release in Italy has English subtitles I bought a
copy in Italy and I recommend this film too.)

The film has some great special features including a follow up documentary on the city of Naples and how it has changed since the film's release.

Disc one contains the film
Disc two contains the follow up documentary "Neaopolitan Diary" or "Diario napoletano". Also is a video conversation between Director Francesco Rosi, co-writer Raffaele La Capria, and film critic Michel Ciment. There are also new interviews with Francesco Rosi, movie critic Tullio Kezich, and French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Gorin October 30, 2006

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