Year: 1945
Director: Roberto Rossellini
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Italian Neo-realism is full of brilliant directors and fascinating works of art. Starting in 1944 and ending in 1955, Italian Neo-realism was a national film movement characterized by stories set amongst the poor and working class. Vittorio De Sica is a notable artist during this movement, tugging our heartstrings with Bicycle Thieves and Shoeshine. Arguably the most important film of this period is Roberto Rossellini's Rome:Open City.
The film is set in Rome, 1944. Giorgio Manfredi (Marcello Pagliero), one of the leaders of the Resistance, is tracked down by the Nazis. He goes to his friend Francesco's, and asks Pina (Anna Magnino)), Francesco's fiancée, for help. Pina must warn a priest, Don Pietro Pellegrini (Aldo Fabrizi), that Giorgio needs to leave the town as soon as possible.
To review a film as important as Rome: Open City is difficult, because one risks leaving out many great details. The influential French Director Jean Luc Godard has been famously quoted as saying "All roads lead to Rome: Open City". Written by Federico Fellini, before he made his legendary mark on cinema with 8 1/2, the documentary-like film is based on several true stories. Rossellini made a shattering portrait of Rome under the Nazi occupation, remarkably showing an honest portrayal of death, war, torture and martyrdom.
Strikingly, Rome:Open City was filmed during the end of World War Two, when there was pretty much no film industry in Italy and thus no money to fund the films. Rossellini's dedication for this film was so great that when there was no film stock he decided to sell everything he owned in order to continue filming. Rome: Open City is truth on film, it depicts the harsh reality of Nazi occupation and the emotions felt by every Italian during that time.
In conclusion, Rossellini's film is nothing short of an absolute masterpiece. It is not only historically important, but it is still an enticing film even by the standards of our more modern era. Rome: Open City is a significant cry for freedom and dignity, a bold reaction against the destructive force of fascism. Few films will ever compare to this. Praise it! 5/5
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