THE TEACHER FROM VIGEVANO

Primary school teacher Mr. Mombelli, nonetheless satisfied with his life, is driven by his wife to resign and starting a new activity. He invests all his goodwill setting up a little footwear factory. But after some time, unexpectedly, a financial review by fiscal authorities drive the firm to ruin. Ada, his wife, starts to be unfaithful. But it isn't enough, a tragedy is waiting Mombelli around the corner.

Antonio Mombelli (Alberto Sordi) is content as a primary school teacher in the small town of Vigevano, but his wife Ada (Claire Bloom) is ashamed of their humble circumstances and insists he quit his job, give up his pension and open a small shoe factory. Elio Petri's early film is commedia all'italiana at its most bittersweet.