Il Marchese del Grillo

Il Marchese del Grillo The Marquess Del Grillo, internationally released as The Marquis of Grillo is a 1981 Italian comedic motion picture directed by Mario Monicelli, starring Alberto Sordi as the titular character. The film depicts early nineteenthcentury episodes in the life of a nobleman in Rome. Loosely based on folkloric accounts of the real Onofrio del Grillo who lived in the eighteenth century, this character plays a number of pranks, one even involving Pope Pius VII. The famous line Io s io, e voi non siete un cazzo literally I am who I am, and you are fucking nothing, is appropriated from Bellis 1831 sonnet, The Sovrans of the Old World.

In the meantime the Pope has the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte excommunicated, and when the conflict escalates, Onofrio is appointed commander of the Swiss Guards in Castel SantAngelo. Distracted by one of his pranks he fails in his task to defend the Papal garrison and the French guards penetrate the city to arrest the Pope. Onofrio quickly arranges himself with the new order and becomes friends with the young commander of the French regiment, much to the disappointment of his pious mother who claims that the French, as enemies of the Pope King, are also sworn enemies of God. She also predicts that Napoleon will sooner or later run out of luck and end up with his butt on the ground.With the French occupants a theater company arrives from Paris, introducing the novelty of real women for female roles. Due to the obtuseness of the Roman people the show proves a failure, but Onofrio takes the chance to start an affair with the singer Olympia. One night they go around the ruins of the Forum when they spot a drunken coalman who resembles the Marquis like a drop of water. Onofrio decides to play one of his jokes by changing roles. He instructs his servant to have the inconscious man dressed up as himself, while he will play the part of Gasperino the coalman. The next morning the poor drunkard wakes up in Onofrios bed to find himself transformed into a marquis. His bad manners lead the family to believe that he is possessed by the spirit of a dead coalman, and Onofrios uncle tries to have him exorcised. After the first shock Gasperino starts to adapt to his new role and some of his family find him even better than the real Marquis. But when the Pope returns after Napoleons defeat he has Onofrio condemned and Gasperino risks to finish his life under the guillotine. ........

Source: Wikipedia