Rome celebrates 50th anniversary of cult film Febbre da cavallo

To mark the 50th anniversary of the film “Febbre da cavallo,” a special free screening will be held at the Capannelle Racecourse in Rome on October 29. Directed by Steno (Stefano Vanzina), the film originally released in 1976 to lukewarm critical reception and modest box office returns, but eventually evolved into a cultural phenomenon and a staple of Roman identity.

The event will feature Enrico Vanzina, son of the director, who will discuss the film’s origins and its relationship with Rome’s racing culture. This anniversary coincides with the centenary of the major restructuring of the Capannelle Racecourse, a venue that has served as a significant social and sporting landmark for the city for a century.

Starring Gigi Proietti and Enrico Montesano, the film follows a group of struggling individuals involved in horse racing scams. The upcoming screening aims to honor the film’s legacy and its role in capturing the popular memory of Roman horse racing.