Plot The Hawks and the Sparrows

totò , alfredo bini on set of hawks , sparrows

totò , son ninetto roam neighbourhood , countryside of rome. during walk observe body being removed house following murder. next encounter talking crow, described in intertitles thus: benefit of not paying attention or in doubt, remind crow – – left-wing intellectual of kind found living before palmiro togliatti s death ).

the crow subsequently recounts tale of fra ciccillo , fra ninetto (still played totò , ninetto), 2 franciscan friars, bid st. francis preach gospel hawks , sparrows. after many months, succeeded in preaching commandment of love unto species separately, not able them love each other. sparrow-hawks continue kill , eat sparrows, in nature.

after tale, journey of totò , ninetto carries on, crow still accompanying them. encounter other individuals: land-owners order them out off land when caught defecating; family living in absolute poverty no food , totò threatens drive out of house if rent not paid; group of travelling actors (representing figures marginalised society such women, gay, elderly, racial minorities, , disabled) , persuade pair push group s cadillac car them; , rich man waiting totò give him money owes him (in contrast earlier episode toto had demanded rent). after that, brief extract of news footage of funeral of palmiro togliatti, long-time leader of italian communist party. then, after having met prostitute, end killing , eating crow, whom found unconscionably boring.

pasolini declared uccellacci e uccellini favourite film, 1 did not disappoint expectations.

ennio morricone s opening theme music features domenico modugno singing movie s credits.