School of Thieves (1986)

Dalmazio, Amalio and Egisto Siraghi are three cousins unaware of each other, who struggle to live honestly. Dalmazio is a security guard at a bank, Amalio is a dog sitter, while Egisto is a street vendor and window cleaner for cars stopped at traffic lights. All three show little professional competence and little luck. The chance of a lifetime presents itself to them when they are suddenly contacted by the wealthy Aliprando Siraghi, an elderly delinquent who has ended up in a wheelchair who reveals himself to be their distant uncle. He proposes to co-opt them into his activities as a thief, convincing them to be their only chance to emerge from mediocrity and poverty. The three are subjected to long and hard training, consisting in both physical-athletic preparation and simulations of thefts and even interrogations. At the end of this training, also characterized by many comic ups and downs, Aliprando sends his grandchildren to make a first shot in a shopping center. However, they are intercepted by some agents warned by a tip and end up in prison for six months. At the end of the period of detention, Aliprando, who awaits them at the exit, confesses that it was he who called the police in order to have them arrested and, once in the cell, stimulate them to strengthen their criminal temperament. The three, resentful, decide to abandon their uncle's gang, but realizing that they cannot resume an honest life, given the now dirty criminal record, Dalmazio, Egisto and Amalio return to their steps. This time things are different: the gang scores one hit after another, developing a marked ability in the various forms of fraud and theft.