The Hawks and the Sparrows

Set in 1960s Italy, the film blends contemporary urban life with social and political commentary. The narrative unfolds amid postwar modernization, labor struggles, and the rise of leftist discourse, punctuated by news footage of Palmiro Togliatti’s funeral. The juxtaposition of the parable and real-world events situates the action in a period of intense social change.

The story unfolds across Rome’s busy streets and nearby rural landscapes, reflecting a society in flux. The city serves as a stage for everyday encounters with landlords, the poor, and traveling performers, highlighting class differences. The countryside scenes counterbalance the urban hustle, underscoring the film’s satirical take on Italian life.

🕊️ Class Struggle

The film stages a fable where hawks (the powerful) and sparrows (the weak) struggle for dominance, using Saint Francis’ message to critique hierarchies. It combines satire and political commentary to question property, power, and marketplace values. The Marxist framing invites viewers to reexamine social relations through humor and parable.

🎭 Marginalization

The pair encounter groups marginalized by society, including traveling performers and other outcasts, which the film portrays with empathy and humor. These episodes explore how society treats the vulnerable and the demand for solidarity beyond norms. The humor foregrounds the humanity of those on the fringes.

🎶 Music and Mood

Ennio Morricone’s score and Domenico Modugno’s opening song shape the film’s tone, blending music with on-screen satire. The music guides the audience through shifts between realism, fable, and fantasy. It unifies the disparate tones of political critique and whimsy.

🕯️ Religious Allegory

Saint Francis’ commission to preach to birds frames a religious allegory about compassion and universal love. The friars’ failures and eventual realization mirror a critique of dogmatic certainty. The allegory elevates partisan critique to a spiritual dimension, inviting reflection on moral responsibility.