Mussolini and I (TV 1985)

A compelling drama/documentary chronicling the life and death of Il Duce himself, from his days as a terrorist to his alliance with Hitler to the betrayal of his son-in-law and untimely demise.

Director:

Alberto Negrin

Writers:

Nicola Badalucco (screenplay), Nicola Badalucco (story),

Stars:

Susan Sarandon, Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Sarandon	...	Edda Mussolini Ciano
Anthony Hopkins	...	Count Galeazzo Ciano
Bob Hoskins	...	Benito Mussolini
Annie Girardot	...	Rachele Mussolini
Barbara De Rossi	...	Claretta Petacci
Dietlinde Turban	...	Felicitas Beetz
Vittorio Mezzogiorno	...	Sandro Pavolini
Fabio Testi	...	Lorenzo
Kurt Raab	...	Adolf Hitler
Oliver Domnick	...	SS Colonel
Hans-Dieter Asner	...	Von Ribbentrop
Franco Fabrizi	...	Navarra
Massimo Dapporto	...	Vittorio Mussolini
Riccardo Peloso	...	Police Commissioner
Antonella Angelucci	...	Princess

Storyline

A compelling drama/documentary chronicling the life and death of Il Duce himself, from his days as a terrorist to his alliance with Hitler to the betrayal of his son-in-law and untimely demise.

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Plot Keywords:

son in law | italy | fascism | family relationships | tyrant | 

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Taglines:

Detested by his people. Defied by his family. Destined to failure.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

Switzerland France Italy West Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mussolini

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alan David Management, Antenne-2, Beta Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 240 min (DVD) 120 min (cut) 240 min (in two episodes) (original HBO telecast)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Italian Foreign Minister Ciano incorrectly addresses his German counterpart as 'Baron von Ribbentrop' at the dinner party near the beginning of the movie. German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop held no aristocratic title.

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Connections

Referenced in Bellissimo: Immagini del cinema italiano (1985)

User Reviews

first time I see Hopkins play so bad

The script for this TV soap opera is so bad that even A. Hopkins at some point had to play like an undergrad drama-student so as to bring some life in his script-dead character. I do not know whether this was the purpose of the director, but Hopkins' Ciano reeked nothing but vanity, fear and lack of self-esteem. The real Ciano possibly was all that but then, why make a movie about him? Mussolini was a bit more convincing, and his long way down was as if closer to the truth. Edda Mussolini was plain ridiculous (not because of Sarandon, but because of the impotent script), while she had to be the central character of this alleged familial drama. Watch it only if you enjoy Venezuelan soap opera.