Many Wars Ago (1970)
"Uomini contro" (original title)

On the Italian/Austrian front during World War I, a disastrous Italian attack upon the Austrian positions leads to a mutiny among the decimated Italian troops.

Director:

Francesco Rosi

Writers:

Tonino Guerra, Raffaele La Capria,

Stars:

Mark Frechette, Alain Cuny, Gian Maria Volonté

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Frechette	...	Lt. Sassu
Alain Cuny	...	Gen. Leone
Gian Maria Volonté	...	Lt. Ottolenghi
Giampiero Albertini	...	Capt. Abbati
Pier Paolo Capponi	...	Lt. Santini
Franco Graziosi	...	Maj. Malchiodi
Mario Feliciani	...	Colonel Doctor
Alberto Mastino	...	Marrasi
Brunetto Del Vita	...	Col. Stringari
Nino Vingelli	...	Wounded Soldier from Naples
Zdravko Smojver
Antonio Pavan	...	Lt. Pavan
Emilio Bonucci
Francesco Acampora
Luigi Pignatelli	...	Avellini

Storyline

In Northern Italy, WWI has turned into a bloody stalemate. Bogged down in their trenches on a barren highland, the men of an Italian infantry division have been given one objective: retake a commanding height from the enemy. Unfortunately, the tactical ingenuity of general Leone, the unpopular division commander, consists of supplementing frontal attacks against machine-guns with medieval fighting schemes. His dispirited troops must be prodded with ever harsher measures into storming the Austrian positions. As casualties mount, indignation spreads amongst the rank and file. Disturbed by the decisions of his superiors, lieutenant Sassu is progressively led to question the purpose of the war and to reconsider where his real duties lie.

---

Plot Keywords:

front | general | infantry | lieutenant | carabinieri | 

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Details

Country:

Italy Yugoslavia

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

17 September 1970 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Many Wars Ago

Filming Locations:

Centralni Filmski Studio Kosutnjak, Belgrade, Serbia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prima Cinematografica, Dubrava Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

User Reviews

About the insanity of war

First World War. A more or less forgotten front: in the Italian Alps Italian and Austrian troops face each other. The Italian general Leone orders his men to storm the heavily defended Austrian lines without proper artillery support. They are butchered. Discontent finally leads to a mutiny.

This is a very dark movie that in a very moving way describes war in its utter absurdity. I consider it a great movie.