The Pack (1994)
Marco Risi's unflinching Italian drama about mob violence, moral cowardice, and one man's refusal to follow the crowd.
The Pack - Movie Information
- Original Title: Il branco
- Release Year: 1994
- Directed by: Marco Risi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 10, 1994 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: The Pack (US)
- Production Companies: Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica
- Production Countries: Italy
The Pack - Plot
In the Roman province a group of boys accepted Sola's proposal: to rape two German tourists on holiday in Italy held captive in a shack by a junkyard. The only one who pulls back from the group is Raniero, the others willingly accept to follow him. Slowly the news of the two imprisoned tourists spread like wildfire and attracts all the men of the area.
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The Pack - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marco Risi
Main Cast
- Giampiero Lisarelli
- Ricky Memphis
- Giorgio Tirabassi
- Luca Zingaretti
- Angelika Krautzberger
- Tamara Simunovic
- Roberto Caprari
- Salvatore Spada
- Natale Tulli
- Vittorio Amandola
Writers
- Andrea Carraro
- Marco Risi
Producers
- Mario Cecchi Gori
- Vittorio Cecchi Gori
The Pack - FAQs
What is The Pack about?
The Pack follows a group of young men in the Roman countryside who agree to hold two German tourists captive and assault them. While most of the group goes along with the plan, one young man named Raniero refuses. The film is a harrowing examination of mob mentality, cowardice, and moral failure in a provincial Italian setting.
Is The Pack based on a true story?
Yes, The Pack is inspired by a real event. The film draws from the 1975 Circeo massacre, a notorious Italian crime in which two young women were kidnapped, tortured, and assaulted by a group of men near Rome. The case shocked Italy and sparked major public debate about violence, class, and justice.
Who directed The Pack?
The Pack was directed by Marco Risi, an Italian filmmaker known for his unflinching social dramas. Risi also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Andrea Carraro, whose novel provided the basis for the story. The film stands as one of Risi's most provocative and critically discussed works.
Who are the main actors in The Pack?
The cast includes Giampiero Lisarelli as Raniero, Giorgio Tirabassi as Sola, Ricky Memphis as Pallesecche, and Luca Zingaretti as Ottorino. Angelika Krautzberger and Tamara Simunovic portray the two German tourists at the center of the ordeal. It's a strong ensemble that brings real weight to the material.
Why does Raniero refuse to join the group?
Raniero's refusal is the moral heart of the film. Unlike the others, he cannot bring himself to participate in the violence, making him the lone dissenting voice within the group. His choice isolates him and puts him under enormous social pressure, highlighting how difficult it is to resist collective wrongdoing.
What themes does The Pack explore?
The film digs deep into mob mentality, masculine conformity, and the erosion of individual conscience under group pressure. It also examines class dynamics, provincial culture, and the way violence can spread when social structures fail. Marco Risi frames these themes with a documentary-like realism that makes the story feel urgent and deeply unsettling.
When was The Pack released?
The Pack was released in Italy on September 10, 1994. The film is also known internationally under its original Italian title Il branco, and was released in the United States under the title The Pack.
What are some movies similar to The Pack?
If The Pack resonated with you, you might also enjoy The Last Time We Were Children (2023), A Dark Story (2024), The Children's Train (2024), and My Fault: London (2025). These films share a similar interest in difficult human experiences, moral complexity, and emotionally charged storytelling.
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