Romanzo criminale - La serie

Romanzo criminale was hidden away on the Sky arts channel and I'm glad i found it. I have watched the three series devotedly and i must say this was one of the best TV programme I've followed. In my opinion, its an Italian version of The Sopranos, if you've ever watched the Sopranos you'll definitely enjoy this. The whole series was in sub titles and I think the sub titles added to the intensity of this show. It goes into very graphic detail of the rise of a criminal gang in Rome, starting from the seventies. All the characters were believable and I wouldn't be surprised if it was based on some criminals of their time in Italy/Rome.

This series although in Italian is highly watchable because of excellent cast and cinematography combined with the authenticity of the recreation of the time and the story lines build upon the previous episode. Also the way each character inter bonds with each other and that they are shown as both criminals who are portrayed as both evil and human. If you don't mind subtitles then this is a must see. If you liked programmes like Underbelly this is ten times better and will be right up your street. From the police commissioner and his sidekick trying to capture the gang at every opportunity to there interaction with the other criminals and how they go about achieving their goals is both well written and believable. There is not a bad actor in this series and the unfortunate thing is that I am watching this on Sky Arts(no disrespect) but this is a premier show which is based on the movie but broadens the story of each character. At the end of each episode each character has a touching moment where you almost feel sorry for them and this creates characters that you can have apathy with and also care about and in a way feel almost sorry for. I will definitely be buying the boxset.

Gomorra La Series blew my mind and romanzo criminale blew up the rest of it. gomorra looked like they were about to kill a whole bunch of people but romanzo looked like they already have. that is how i compare these two amazing Italian crime series. i mean from the storyline to the characters and the rest of it, top tier entertainment. its realistic yet fantastic at the same time. how does a series stay soo interesting one might say. i guess there has to be killings, betrayal, surprises, victories and defeat. these two series has all of it and it never gets old. very well thought out and thoroughly executed. i know gomorra has a third season comin but its been a minute for this one. i hope there will be more and if not something similar. ill be watching these series again cause of the high replay value. its not for the faint hearted or the immature tho. i never really do reviews but this one well deserved one, its the least i could do. much props to the gomorra production and romanzo criminale productions. the actors and actresses did a great job even tho i had to read subtitles throughout. I've just started to look into more Italian shows and movies cause i didn't know they were soo good. hopefully IMDb will turn me out to some more. i look forward to more Italian TV in the near future cause it really doesn't get much better.

One terrific and most powerful Italian crime series, one of the most brutal I have ever seen, far far more bloody than any other American one. I find here the same violence we had in the Italian films from the seventies. Really exciting scheme, with so many outstanding characters to whom you get glued to, no matter the degree in criminality they are involved in. Stefano Sollima is definitely the new master of the Italian crime industry, as Michele Placido was one or two decades ago, and in a more terrific way. I remind you that Stefano Sollima already gave us SUBURRA and GOMORRA series and of course next year the next movie to SICARIO and named SOLDATO, about Mexican drug cartels. So, after Italian mafias, Sollima will be plunged deep into the Spanish spoken underworld, far more brutal than the Sicilian one. Back to this series, I am still shaking, reminding how impressive the late seventies, eighties and early nineties atmosphere were, with the music score of those fantastic years. This is a pure masterpiece. And this actress Giovanna Di Rauso, the female killer amazon with snake eyes, the kind of lady who, if I crossed her path in the street and saw her asking me for the time, I would quickly give her my watch and run away from this shark female. What a dame....What eyes she has...

A pure must see....

I really don't understand what took me so long to watch, let alone, discover this amazing show.

Romanzo Criminale is an immensely realistic and edgy show. Based on events of street thugs turned criminal organization in 1970-1980s Rome, the series seemed to portray the decade's atmosphere with perfection and had me captivated for its entirety.

There was some sort of novelty, if not charm, of seeing a group of amateur thugs band together to form lifelong friendships, pursuits of love or strive for a better life in general - all in the backdrop of social/political unrest of Italy at the time.

Despite humble beginnings, these somewhat naive core characters begin to see the stark realities that surround them. Betrayals, murders, greed and revenge are only just a small taste of what ultimately corrupts the main and side characters, turning one against the other or forming alliances.

The characters and how they are conditioned/molded is really what shines here. To see Libanese rise from such impoverished, depressive conditions or the undying struggle for justice by Commissioner Scialoja. The characters and narrative are further strengthened by a well written, intense script, excellent cinematography, truly monumental climaxes and actors that really pull of some outstanding performances (particularly Freddo's character).

Ultimately, this is a show that will drag you in, keep you extremely invested in multiple characters and then crush you at least a few times, but it's okay! Criminale Romanzo's charm and realism never really wears off and manages to tell a great story with conviction. Disregard the fact that you'll have to watch this with subtitles, it is Easily one of the best TV shows I have ever watched.