Mario Monicelli's The Organizer (1963) is an excellent dramatic production.It is a very engaging, and compelling period piece set in the late 19th Century textile worker's strike in Turin, Italy. The storyline is very believable, if not totally historically accurate.The acting by the whole cast was somewhat inspired, very sincere, and believable. Marcello Mastroianni gives an exceptionally strong performance in a role that is quite different than the several others I seen him portray, that of a somewhat mild mannered, reflective, teacher cum labor organizer, who doesn't seem to be quite sure of himself on some level. This is certainly a departure from the glib, debonair, self assured, upper crust character that I've become accustomed to in the other films that I've seen him in. Yet,for me, his role in this film confirmed for me the breadth of his acting ability, and furthers my belief that he is one of the great actors of all time. Mastroianni is the dramatic lynchpin in this film, and carries the storyline to its conclusion.The cinematography in this film is really great, giving the viewer a variety of interesting "looks", as a result of diverse camera positions, and camera angles.The period sets and period costumes are very good. The huge indoor factory setting is amazing, and made me wonder where they got all that antique machinery.The dramatic tone of the film was just right, in my opinion, somewhat walking the tightrope between the various emotional tensions inherent in the storyline at various points.This film is just an example of good cinematic storytelling, allowing the viewer to see the emerging storyline from a diversity of character perspectives. The storyline has a few interesting twists, and the rather downbeat ending was rather unexpected, but left me pleasantly speculating about where the story went from there.

The difference between this film and a lot of other strike/union related films, is that it has a sense of humor and is not taken with its own self importance. As a matter a fact, the film is quite measured and cautious in its outlook. There are no heroics here, everybody is a full fledged human being with his/her weaknesses and strengths. Mastroianni is particularly wonderful here in a very nuanced performance, where he goes from nebbish professor to inspirational and powerful leader in matters of seconds. The script is very strong and Rotunno's cinematography is excellent. Monicelli injects the film with so many details that hit their mark, that he has gone from a very good director to a great one in my estimation. The early scenes at the factory are truly remarkable in a uniquely cinematic way. They hardly contain any dialogue and put you in the workers place in a remarkably efficient way.Highly recommended.

Today, as one "great" corporation after another collapses under the weight of its own deceit, I Compagni should be seen by everyone. For at least 20 years, we have been told that unions and regulations are obsolete hindrances to the miracle of The Marketplace. Now that even Alan Greenspan, an enormously powerful acolyte of Ayn Rand and her adolescent mirror-philosophy to Marxism, has testified that "I was wrong." As he admitted that he now sees that unregulated capitalism will inevitably fall under the spell of selfish, unfeeling greed, we find ourselves almost back at the beginning of FDR's reforms. The "American Dream" didn't just happen; it wasn't automatically granted by benevolent businessmen. It was fought for, and won despite enormous obstacles. It is true that the final scene of this film is heartbreaking. But it should not be seen as depressing. A battle has been lost. But the war was eventually won. Many of those gains have been recently tossed aside out of historical ignorance and childish acceptance of corporate propaganda. But if the American people will act and vote intelligently, workers and capitalists alike will regain a humane balance.

Along with the U.S. "Salt of the Earth" this is one of the few films from nonsocialist/communist countries to take a deep and sympathetic look at class struggle and the conditions that led to the formation and defence of labour unions. It's an emotionally excruciating film thanks to Mastroianni's greatest performances among so many great performances, and the superb screenwriting and direction.