Olmi's third television film, _I recuperanti_ is a simple but successful film. It is the only film to deal with the theme of the so-called ‘recuperanti’, individuals who in the aftermath of the great wars, driven by misery, wandered in search of military scrap to sell by the pound. Again thanks to the strong influence that the main progenitors of neorealism cinema had on the director, an influence already seen pecendently, we find again the theme of post-war degradation. And again thanks to the same influence, we also find here as main actors two non-professionals met by chance. Of the latter, it is difficult not to become fond, especially the old man who plays the oddball Du. All in all, a film to be recovered for the genuineness and specificity of its themes. If only there were films like this on public television today!