Banana Joe

Banana Joe

Year: 1982

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Steno

ActionComedy

He trades bananas with villagers for supplies, sustaining the island community. When mobsters arrive to build a banana‑processing plant, he drives them off, but the mob boss reports his unlicensed operation. After the mob tips off police and his boat is seized, he must travel to the mainland city for the first time to seek legal help.

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Timeline & Setting – Banana Joe (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Banana Joe (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Amantido

A remote rainforest village on the island of Amantido forms the film’s backdrop. The community relies on barter and a thriving banana trade, creating a tight-knit social fabric. The lush jungle setting contrasts with the looming threat of exploitation from a gangster planning a banana plant.

🏝 Amantido 🌿 Rainforest village 🍌 Banana economy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Main Characters – Banana Joe (1982)

Meet the key characters of Banana Joe (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Banana Joe (Bud Spencer)

A brawny but kind-hearted resident of Amantido who keeps the village’s banana-based barter system running. He is a protective father figure to the children and stands up to the gangster’s takeover, though his city-borne naiveté often gets him into comic trouble. Over the course of the story, he learns the value of literacy and community education and grows into a more thoughtful leader.

🏝 Island life 🍌 Banana economy 🤝 Community

Dorianne (Marina Langner)

An attractive nightclub singer owned by Torcillo who captivates Banana Joe. She becomes a love interest and later a partner in reform, supporting Joe’s efforts and choosing to stay in Amantido to help the community. Her presence adds glamour and a humanizing influence to the village’s struggle.

🎶 Nightlife 💃 Romance 🧡 Community

Torcillo (Gianfranco Barra)

A ruthless local gangster boss who seeks to seize Amantido’s banana production for a processing plant. He uses corrupt police and henchmen to threaten the village, driving the central conflict. His downfall comes as his schemes are exposed and resisted by the community.

🕶 Crime ⚔ Power 🏗 Exploitation

Manuel

A wily con man who swindles Banana Joe in the city, exploiting his naiveté. Though he initially deceives Joe, Manuel’s actions unexpectedly help Joe obtain the necessary license, revealing the complexity of opportunities in bad circumstances.

🧭 Trickery 🤝 Opportunism 😄 Comedy

Police Captain (Carlo Reali)

The local police captain who tries to arrest Banana Joe for illicit banana trading, illustrating the bureaucratic maze that Joe must navigate. He also appears as part of the crackdown on Torcillo’s gang, signaling law and order finally catching up with the criminals.

👮 Authority 🏛 Law 🛡 Order

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Major Themes – Banana Joe (1982)

Explore the central themes of Banana Joe (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Resistance

The story centers on a clash between a self-sufficient village and external greed. Banana Joe mobilizes the community to defend their way of life against the gangster’s banana plant project. The theme highlights courage, solidarity, and the power of standing up to exploitation. It shows how ordinary people can resist through togetherness and persistence.

🧭 Adaptation

Joe’s journey from rural life to the city exposes him to bureaucracy and unfamiliar systems. His missteps and stubborn optimism drive him to learn, improvise, and ultimately pursue literacy for the village. The theme tracks personal growth amid comic chaos and practical challenges.

🎭 Romance & Comedy

Dorianne’s attraction to Joe adds warmth and humor to the story, balancing action with light romance. Their dynamic is marked by misunderstandings, charm, and a shared goal of improving life in Amantido. The theme underlines how love can motivate positive change and cooperation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:56

Unlock the Full Story of Banana Joe

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Banana Joe Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Banana Joe, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Banana Joe Summary

Banana Joe Timeline

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Banana Joe Timeline

More About Banana Joe

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