Johnny Stecchino
| Johnny Stecchino | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roberto Benigni |
| Written by | Roberto Benigni Vincenzo Cerami |
| Produced by | Mario Cecchi Gori Vittorio Cecchi Gori |
| Starring | Roberto Benigni Nicoletta Braschi |
| Cinematography | Giuseppe Lanci |
| Edited by | Nino Baragli |
| Music by | Evan Lurie |
Production companies | Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica Pentafilm |
| Distributed by | Penta Distribuzione Variety Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes (original Italian version) |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
| Box office | 39 billion liras (Italy) |
Johnny Stecchino is a 1991 Italian comedy film directed by, co-written by and starring Roberto Benigni in dual roles. This film is one of Benigni's many collaborations with co-star and wife, Nicoletta Braschi. It was the highest-grossing film of all time in Italy with a gross of 39 billion liras.
This film follows the life of Dante, a quirky school bus driver (Benigni) for students with Down syndrome, who bears a striking resemblance to Johnny Stecchino, an Italian mafioso who is wanted by Sicilian mobsters for treason and murder. Dante meets Maria (Braschi), Johnny Stecchino's wife, who plans to trick the Sicilian mobsters into kill Dante in place of Johnny.
The U.S. version released in theaters and on VHS is about 20 minutes shorter than the full Italian version. It trims several conversations including the final scene with Lillo accidentally sniffing cocaine.