
The Scent of the Night 1998
Directed by Claudio Caligari, *The Scent of the Night (1998)* plunges into the gritty underbelly of 1970s Rome, where a former policeman abandons his badge for the adrenaline rush of armed robbery.
Director: Claudio Caligari
Cast










Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Scent of the Night (1998) about?
Claudio Caligari's crime drama follows a disillusioned ex-policeman who trades his uniform for a life of armed robberies in 1970s Rome. His choices lead to a spiraling cycle of crime and chaos, testing his relationships and sanity.
Who directed The Scent of the Night?
The film was directed by Claudio Caligari, an Italian filmmaker known for his gritty, character-driven storytelling.
Who stars in The Scent of the Night?
The core cast includes Valerio Mastandrea, Marco Giallini, Giorgio Tirabassi, Alessia Fugardi, and Emanuel Bevilacqua, with Francesca D'Aloja rounding out the ensemble.
Is The Scent of the Night (1998) worth watching?
Though not widely rated, its crime-drama blend and Caligari's direction make it compelling for fans of morally complex stories. The film's raw energy and Mastandrea's performance give it a gritty edge worth exploring.
How long is The Scent of the Night?
The Scent of the Night (1998) runs for 100 minutes.
About The Scent of the Night (1998) — A former cop's descent into Rome's criminal underworld
Directed by Claudio Caligari, *The Scent of the Night (1998)* plunges into the gritty underbelly of 1970s Rome, where a former policeman abandons his badge for the adrenaline rush of armed robbery. His descent into crime isn't just a plot device—it's a character study of moral unraveling, set against the backdrop of a city where shadows and secrets linger like the title suggests. Valerio Mastandrea leads the cast with raw intensity, embodying the protagonist's reckless transformation from lawman to fugitive. Layered with crime drama tropes, the film drips with atmosphere, blending tension, regret, and the faint scent of inevitability.
Themes of identity and betrayal simmer beneath the surface, as Mastandrea's character navigates a world where every alliance is fragile and every escape feels temporary. Caligari's direction leans into the era's raw energy, capturing the grit of Rome's streets with a documentary-like authenticity. It's a story about the choices that define us—and the ones that destroy us.