The White Sheik main backdrop
The White Sheik main poster

The White Sheik

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7.2/10 • 267

1952-09-271h 23m

ComedyRomance

A Very Funny Picture by Federico Fellini

In Italy, small-town newlyweds Wanda and Ivan Cavalli embark on their honeymoon in the big city of Rome. Ivan dutifully wants to keep appointments with family and church, but Wanda is only interested in meeting her favorite photo-strip star known as "The White Sheik". While Wanda impetuously sneaks away to locate the object of her affections, disconsolate Ivan tries his hardest to keep up appearances with the couple's relatives.

Directors
Federico Fellini
Editors
Rolando Benedetti

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Alberto Sordi

    Alberto Sordi

    Fernando Rivoli, the White Sheik

  2. Brunella Bovo

    Brunella Bovo

    Wanda Giardino Cavalli

  3. Leopoldo Trieste

    Leopoldo Trieste

    Ivan Cavalli

  4. Giulietta Masina

    Giulietta Masina

    Cabiria, the Prostitute

  5. Ernesto Almirante

    Ernesto Almirante

    Dottore Fortuna, the Photonovel's Director

  6. Lilia Landi

    Lilia Landi

    Felga, the Photonovel's Gipsy

  7. Fanny Marchiò

    Fanny Marchiò

    Marilena Alba Vellardi

  8. Gina Mascetti

    Gina Mascetti

    Rita Rivoli, Fernando's Wife

  9. Jole Silvani

    Jole Silvani

    Assunta, Cabiria's Colleague

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Dec 31, 2023

7/10

I wonder if Peter Sellers ever based any of his characters on the charmingly hapless "Fernando" (Alberto Soldi) from this really quite engaging comedy? He arrives in Rome with new new bride "Wanda" (Brunella Bovo) with a full schedule ahead of them. He's more of a traditionalist and on this trip he wants to meet with family and do the courteous rounds introducing his new bride. She, on the other hand, is obsessed with the eponymous film star, and manages to arrange a meeting. She doesn't tell her husband, of course, and sets off for what she assumes will be the briefest of hand-shakes. Not quite - she is soon carried away with the crew to a filming location on the coast. No phone, no train and "Fernando" many miles away doing the dutiful relative thing - without his "Wanda"! What now ensues sees both characters try to reunite whilst having some fun escapades en route. I can only hope it's a silent film they are making for the noise on set, the strangers wandering through shot and "Wanda" ending up dressed as a harem girl makes for a chaotic process that I suspect Fellini is not suggesting is based on his own. Meantime, "Fernando" is getting more and more perplexed, fed up, disorientated - and even tempted. His uncle also reminds them that tomorrow at 11am, they have an appointment - at the Vatican - with the Pope! Can they get back together in time? The scenario is naturally fun, Soldi has a little of the Chaplin to his persona and a strong supporting cast help keep this quickly paced and genuinely amusing for just shy of ninety minutes.

Media

  • The White Sheik poster
  • The White Sheik poster
  • The White Sheik poster
  • The White Sheik poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
Italian
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
runawayhoneymooncamelswingblack and whitephoto shootpolice station