Department Store (1986)
A beloved Italian ensemble comedy that packs the country's greatest comic talents into one gloriously chaotic department store.
Department Store - Movie Information
- Original Title: Grandi magazzini
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Castellano, Pipolo
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 6, 1986 (United States), October 30, 1986 (Italy - T)
- Alternative Titles: Department Store (NL)
- Production Companies: Cinecittà Studios, C.G. Silver Film, Alexandra Film
- Production Countries: Italy
Department Store - Plot
A series of skits involving customers and store personnel from several departments of the big department store.
Where to Watch Department Store
Looking for where to watch Department Store?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Department Store - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Castellano
- Pipolo
Main Cast
- Enrico Montesano
- Paolo Villaggio
- Nino Manfredi
- Lino Banfi
- Renato Pozzetto
- Christian De Sica
- Massimo Boldi
- Teo Teocoli
- Gigi Reder
- Leo Gullotta
Writers
- Pipolo
- Castellano
Producers
- Vittorio Cecchi Gori
- Mario Cecchi Gori
Department Store - FAQs
What is Department Store (1986) about?
Department Store follows a parade of colorful characters — customers, clerks, security guards, and delivery workers — across the various departments of a large Italian store. Rather than a single storyline, the film unfolds as a series of comic sketches, each spotlighting a different member of its enormous all-star cast.
Who are the main actors in Department Store?
The film boasts a remarkable ensemble of Italian comedy legends: Enrico Montesano, Paolo Villaggio, Nino Manfredi, Lino Banfi, Renato Pozzetto, Christian De Sica, and Massimo Boldi all lead the cast, with further appearances from Teo Teocoli, Gigi Reder, Leo Gullotta, Michele Placido, Laura Antonelli, and Heather Parisi.
Who directed Department Store?
Department Store was directed by the duo Castellano and Pipolo — Franco Castellano and Giuseppe Moccia, who worked together under the name Pipolo. They were one of Italy's most celebrated comedy filmmaking partnerships of the 1970s and 1980s, known for broad, crowd-pleasing ensemble comedies.
Where can you watch Department Store online?
You can check current streaming availability for Department Store on JustWatch, which tracks all platforms offering the film in your region — whether for streaming, rental, or purchase. Availability may vary depending on your country.
Is Department Store a sketch comedy film?
Yes, Department Store is structured as an anthology of comic sketches rather than a single continuous narrative. Each vignette focuses on a different character navigating the chaos of a busy Italian department store, a format that allowed the filmmakers to showcase their large ensemble cast to full effect.
What makes Department Store a classic of Italian comedy?
The film brought together virtually every major star of Italian popular comedy under one roof — a feat rarely matched before or since. The chemistry between performers like Paolo Villaggio, Nino Manfredi, and Lino Banfi, combined with Castellano and Pipolo's sharp comic timing, made it a beloved staple of Italian cinema.
What are some movies similar to Department Store?
If you enjoyed Department Store, you might also like Fantozzi: White Collar Blues (1975), Goodnight, Ladies and Gentlemen (1976), or Who's Minding the Store? (1963). All three share a similar love of ensemble comedy, workplace chaos, and sketch-driven storytelling that fans of the genre will appreciate.
How long is Department Store?
Department Store runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes — a generous runtime that gives the film plenty of room to cycle through its many comic sketches and let each member of its sprawling all-star cast shine.
More About Department Store
Explore further details and official listings for Department Store below.