The White Sheik backdrop
The White Sheik logo
1952·Comedy·1h 23m
7.0
In Italy, small-town newlyweds Wanda and Ivan Cavalli embark on their honeymoon in the big city of Rome. Ivan dutifully wants to keep appointments with family and church, but Wanda is only interested in meeting her favorite photo-strip star known as "The White Sheik". While Wanda impetuously sneaks away to locate the object of her affections, disconsolate Ivan tries his hardest to keep up appearances with the couple's relatives.
Directed by Federico Fellini
runaway
honeymoon
camel
swing
black and white
photo shoot
police station

Cast

Alberto Sordi
Alberto Sordi
Fernando Rivoli, the White Sheik
Brunella Bovo
Brunella Bovo
Wanda Giardino Cavalli
Leopoldo Trieste
Leopoldo Trieste
Ivan Cavalli
Giulietta Masina
Giulietta Masina
Cabiria, the Prostitute
Ernesto Almirante
Ernesto Almirante
Dottore Fortuna, the Photonovel's Director
Fanny Marchiò
Fanny Marchiò
Marilena Alba Vellardi
Gina Mascetti
Gina Mascetti
Rita Rivoli, Fernando's Wife
Jole Silvani
Jole Silvani
Assunta, Cabiria's Colleague
Enzo Maggio
Enzo Maggio
Furio
Mimo Billi
Mimo Billi
Man on the Beach

Crew

Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Director
Tullio Pinelli
Tullio Pinelli
Screenplay
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Screenplay
Ennio Flaiano
Ennio Flaiano
Screenplay
Nino Rota
Nino Rota
Original Music Composer
Luigi Rovere
Luigi Rovere
Producer
Tullio Pinelli
Tullio Pinelli
Story
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Story
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Story
Osvaldo Civirani
Osvaldo Civirani
Still Photographer

Popular Reviews

69 reviews
Brandon
Brandon
The White Sheik
So bad I couldn’t finish it
So bad I couldn’t finish it
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Bvo
Bvo
The White Sheik
Buona commedia con ovviamente una bella regia di Fellini, un buon Alberto Sordi e un grandissimo Leopoldo Trieste.
Gli spunti metacinematografici sono divertenti e la critica all'orgoglio italiano nelle relazioni è ben esposto.
La trama è molto semplice ma comunque efficace.
Buona commedia con ovviamente una bella regia di Fellini, un buon Alberto Sordi e un grandissimo Leopoldo Trieste.
Gli spunti metacinematografici sono divertenti e la critica all'orgoglio italiano nelle relazioni è ben esposto.
La trama è molto semplice ma comunque efficace.
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Heather
Heather
The White Sheik
Started doing backflips like a monkey with cymbals when Giulietta came on screen.
Started doing backflips like a monkey with cymbals when Giulietta came on screen.
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Merijeo
Merijeo
The White Sheik
Fellini's characters in The White Sheik are what I would describe as unlikely likeable.

They are, I would say, irritating, but it is that quality that makes you root for them, as it is human. A husband selfish for his family's reputation, a wife who is trying to escape her reality, and a man whose fraudulence is hidden by his ego and fear. But at the end, you empathize, as these personalities are examples of how we humans are, and that's what makes us just like the characters — distinct and lovable.
Fellini's characters in The White Sheik are what I would describe as unlikely likeable.

They are, I would say, irritating, but it is that quality that makes you root for them, as it is human. A husband selfish for his family's reputation, a wife who is trying to escape her reality, and a man whose fraudulence is hidden by his ego and fear. But at the end, you empathize, as these personalities are examples of how we humans are, and that's what makes us just like the characters — distinct and lovable.
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Yannai
Yannai
The White Sheik
Fellini never disappoints
Fellini never disappoints
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