Rome, Open City (1945)

During the Nazi occupation of Rome in 1944, the Resistance leader, Giorgio Manfredi, is chased by the Nazis as he seeks refuge and a way to escape.

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Sergio Amidei (screenplay) (as A. Amidei), Federico Fellini (collaboration on screenplay) (as F. Fellini)

Stars:

Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Marcello Pagliero

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Aldo Fabrizi	...	Don Pietro Pellegrini
Anna Magnani	...	Pina
Marcello Pagliero	...	Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris
Vito Annichiarico	...	Piccolo Marcello
Nando Bruno	...	Agostino the Sexton
Harry Feist	...	Major Bergmann
Giovanna Galletti	...	Ingrid
Francesco Grandjacquet	...	Francesco
Eduardo Passarelli	...	Neighborhood Police Sergeant (as Passarelli)
Maria Michi	...	Marina Mari
Carla Rovere	...	Lauretta
Carlo Sindici	...	Police Commissioner
Joop van Hulzen	...	Captain Hartmann (as Van Hulzen)
Ákos Tolnay	...	Austrian Deserter (as A. Tolnay)

Storyline

The location: Nazi occupied Rome. As Rome is classified an open city, most Romans can wander the streets without fear of the city being bombed or them being killed in the process. But life for Romans is still difficult with the Nazi occupation as there is a curfew, basic foods are rationed, and the Nazis are still searching for those working for the resistance and will go to any length to quash those in the resistance and anyone providing them with assistance. War worn widowed mother Pina is about to get married to her next door neighbor Francesco. Despite their situation - Pina being pregnant, and Francesco being an atheist - Pina and Francesco will be wed by Catholic priest Don Pietro Pelligrini. The day before the wedding, Francesco's friend, Giorgio Manfredi, who Pina has never met, comes looking for Francesco as he, working for the resistance, needs a place to hide out. For his latest mission, Giorgio also requests the assistance of Don Pietro, who is more than willing as he sees...

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Plot Keywords:

nazi | priest | nazi occupation | curfew | nazi uniform | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian German Latin

Release Date:

8 October 1945 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Rome, Open City

Filming Locations:

Via Casilina, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Excelsa Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Clara Calamai, the lead in Luchino Visconti's Ossessione (1943), was Roberto Rossellini's first choice for the part later taken by Anna Magnani.

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Quotes

Pina: Doesn't Christ see us?
Don Pietro: So many people ask me that: "Doesn't Christ see us?" But are we sure we haven't deserved this scourge? Are we sure we've always lived according to the Lord's laws? People never think of changing their ways, but when the piper must be paid, they despair and ask, "Doesn't the Lord see us? Doesn't he take pity on us?" Yes, he does, but we have so much to be forgiven for, and for that we must pray and forgive many things.
Pina: You're right, but how do we forgive? I see those guys ...

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Connections

Referenced in Children of Rome Open City (2005)

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Soundtracks

Mallinata Fiorentina
Composed by Giovanni D'Anzi
Lyrics by Galdieri
(1941)

User Reviews

Masterpiece of the Italian Neo-Realism

During the Nazi occupation of Rome, the resistance leader Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferrari (Marcello Pagliero) is chased by the Gestapo. His friend Francesco (Francesco Grandjacquet), who is going to marry the widow Pina (Anna Magnani), together with the priest Don Pietro Pellegrini (Aldo Frabrizi) help him to get a new identity and leave Rome. However, Manfredi is betrayed by his lover Marina Mari (Maria Michi) and arrested by the Germans.

"Roma, Città Aperta" is among the best movies of the cinema history, but in accordance with IMDb criteria, it is not listed in IMDb Top 250. This masterpiece is a milestone of the Italian Neo-Realism and was filmed by Roberto Rossellini when the economical and social structure of Italy was completely destroyed due to the World War II. Rossellini did not have money even to buy the negatives, which were given by his friends. He used ordinary people and real locations to shot the film, making a very authentic and realistic movie as if it were a documentary, and the negatives were only revealed in the end of the shootings. The Brazilian DVD released by Versatil distributor offers many Extras, including a magnificent documentary about the life of Roberto Rossellini. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Roma, Cidade Aberta" ("Rome, Open City")