The Law Is the Law (1958): Cast & Plot
The Law Is the Law is a 1958 comedy directed by Christian-Jaque, starring Totò as Giuseppe La Paglia, Fernandel and Nathalie Nerval. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Christian-Jaque
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Filmsonor
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Law Is the Law About?
The premise of The Law Is the Law without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the fictional border town of Assola, the national line slices through the streets, putting Italy and France side by side. French customs officer Ferdinand pursues Italian smuggler Giuseppe, sparking cat‑and‑mouse encounters. The chase changes when Giuseppe learns Ferdinand was born in Italy, making his French customs authority dubious and highlighting a comic take on border politics.
The Law Is the Law Themes & Keywords
· 5 tags- italy
- french
- prison
- carabinieri
- 1950s
The Law Is the Law Cast & Characters
Totò leads the cast as Giuseppe La Paglia, with Fernandel as Ferdinand Pastorelli and Nathalie Nerval as Hélène Pastorelli. Directed by Christian-Jaque; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Director Christian-Jaque
- Totò as Giuseppe La Paglia
- Fernandel as Ferdinand Pastorelli
- Nathalie Nerval as Hélène Pastorelli
- Noël Roquevert as Le gendarme Malandain
Also Starring in The Law Is the Law
· 15 more- René Génin Donadieu
- Henri Crémieux Bourride
- Renato Terra
- Jean Brochard Le député
- Albert Dinan Le brigadier-chef des douanes
- Henri Arius Le maire
- Gustavo De Nardo Luigi
- Leda Gloria Antonietta
- Luciano Marin Mario
- Aldo Pini
- Nino Besozzi Le maréchal des carabiniers / Il Maresciallo
- Aldo Vasco
- Anna Maria Luciani Marisa
- Franco Di Trocchio
- Albino Morandin
The Law Is the Law Plot Summary
What happens in The Law Is the Law from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Assola, a village split by the French-Italian border, Giuseppe La Paglia, portrayed by Totò, and Ferdinand Pastorelli, portrayed by Fernandel, wage a persistent and witty game of cat-and-mouse across the line that halves the town. The chase is relentless: Giuseppe’s Neapolitan instincts push him to smuggle goods, while Ferdinand, a diligent French customs officer, pursues him at every turn. Their ongoing tug-of-war becomes the heartbeat of the community, a daily ritual that shapes how people on both sides of the border see themselves and their loyalties.
Full summary
The whole story of The Law Is the Law, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Law Is the Law?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which two characters are locked in a perpetual chase across the border town?
Seen The Law Is the Law?
Movies Like The Law Is the Law
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including In the Name of the Law, Getting Away with It the Italian Way and In the Name of the Italian People.
-
In the Name of the Law 1949 -
Getting Away with It the Italian Way 1962 -
In the Name of the Italian People 1971 -
I due carabinieri 1984 -
I Am the Law 1977 -
Guardia, guardia scelta, brigadiere e maresciallo 1956 -
Cops and Robbers 1951 -
The Band of Honest Men 1956 -
The Lieutenant of the Carabinieri 1986 -
Down by Law 1986 -
Street Law 1974 -
Italians 2009
The Law Is the Law FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Law Is the Law, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Law Is the Law?
The Law Is the Law runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was The Law Is the Law released?
The Law Is the Law was released on September 17, 1958.
Who directed The Law Is the Law?
The Law Is the Law was directed by Christian-Jaque.
More films by Christian-Jaque Who is in the cast of The Law Is the Law?
The Law Is the Law stars Totò as Giuseppe La Paglia, Fernandel as Ferdinand Pastorelli and Nathalie Nerval as Hélène Pastorelli, among 19 credited actors.
Does The Law Is the Law have a post-credit scene?
No. The Law Is the Law has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Law Is the Law in?
The original language of The Law Is the Law is French.
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