Saturday, March 13, 2010

Rome Open City (DVD)

Rome Open City (1945) starring Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani. Directed by Roberto Rossellini. During the waning months of World War II, the Italian populace struggles against the German occupation of their homeland. The movie is mostly talk until the halfway mark, when the Germans and the Fascists come and take away all the men in one apartment building. During the transport, Resistance fighters fire on the trucks and the men escape -- only to become fugitives. Naturally, the Germans are shown to be inhuman brutes, and the Italian rebels are brave men who do not break even under torture. Not quite as great as its reputation, this is still a landmark film, especially for those with Italian sympathies. The subtitles are good enough for the task. Grade: B

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