This film may or may not like for a variety of different reasons, but as far as I'm concerned, it's definitely worth seeing even just for the superb interpretation of the "Duce" by Mario Adorf.
Personally, I do not like the film inasmuch it's clearly hagiographic, for the benefit of the "winners", as always sadly happens; the History doesn't earn any good: all the ills are attributed to the "bad and ugly" ones and all the merits are attributed to the "handsome (so to speak) and good" ones .
Before viewing this film, I considered Mario Adorf a good character-actor, able to get by in the most disparate roles, but still as a side actor. Considering this role - not at all simple for a non-Italian, and what's more of Teutonic origin - I have gladly changed my mind and reconsidered his other interpretations with different eyes.
The few scenes in which he appears - albeit dubbed by the equally splendid Ivo Garrani, that gives him the right dialectal accent - are beautiful cameos, and if I see this film willingly when it goes on TV, it is just to enjoy his interpretation. A performance that is certainly the result of a profound study of historical footage. He's never above the lines , not forced nor trivial. If I can push myself to the paradox, he is even more credible than Mussolini himself. It would have deserved - on that occasion in my humble opinion - the Oscar for best supporting actor. Bravo Signor Mario Adorf !
