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Massacre in Rome

Original title: Rappresaglia
  • 19731973
  • PGPG
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Massacre in Rome (1973)
MASSACRE IN ROME depicts one of the worst atrocities of the War which took place in Nazi occupied Rome sparking a searing political outrage: did the Vatican, then led by Pope Pius XII  (referred to by some as “Hitler's Pope”), kowtow to Nazism? 

After Italian Partisans killed 33 German soldiers by exploding a roadside bomb, Hitler ordered the immediate execution of 10 Roman citizens for each dead soldier. When the Vatican withdrew from the matter, a deadly confrontation ensued between a priest, (Mastroianni) and a Nazi Officer Kappler (Burton at his best) who had been ordered to administer what would become one of the most heinous war crimes: the massacre of 335 civilians.

Director Cosmatos and writer Robert Katz crank up the tension in this nerve-wracking dramatisation of Katz’s own, highly contentious, 1967 best-seller “Death in Rome” in which he blamed Pope Pius XII for the massacre; and for which the author was sued, upon the film’s release, by the Pope’s heirs and sentenced to jail. The controversy continues to date as the present Pope, Benedict, has just declared Pius XII “venerable” - the first step towards Sainthood.

Argent Films presents THE MOST COMPLETE EVER VERSION, NOW 4 MIN LONGER, RESTORED TO ITS SUMPTUOUS ORIGINAL WIDESCREEN FORMAT.
Play trailer1:22
1 Video
11 Photos
DramaHistoryWar
Rome, March 23, 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb. Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler is ordered to execute ten times that many Italians.Rome, March 23, 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb. Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler is ordered to execute ten times that many Italians.Rome, March 23, 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb. Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler is ordered to execute ten times that many Italians.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
    • George P. Cosmatos
  • Writers
    • Robert Katz(book "Death in Rome")
    • George P. Cosmatos
    • Lucio De Caro(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Richard Burton
    • Marcello Mastroianni
    • Leo McKern
    • George P. Cosmatos
  • Writers
    • Robert Katz(book "Death in Rome")
    • George P. Cosmatos
    • Lucio De Caro(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Richard Burton
    • Marcello Mastroianni
    • Leo McKern
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Massacre In Rome
    Trailer 1:22
    Watch Massacre In Rome

    Photos11

    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Richard Burton in Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Delia Boccardo in Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Richard Burton in Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)
    Massacre in Rome (1973)

    Top cast

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    Richard Burton
    Richard Burton
    • Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler
    Marcello Mastroianni
    Marcello Mastroianni
    • Father Pietro Antonelli
    Leo McKern
    Leo McKern
    • Gen. Kurt Maelzer
    John Steiner
    John Steiner
    • Col. Dollmann
    Anthony Steel
    Anthony Steel
    • Maj. Domizlaf
    Robert Harris
    Robert Harris
    • Father Pancrazio
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Gen. Albert Kesselring
    Renzo Montagnani
    Renzo Montagnani
    • Questore Pietro Caruso
    Giancarlo Prete
    Giancarlo Prete
    • Paolo
    Renzo Palmer
    Renzo Palmer
    • Giorgio
    Duilio Del Prete
    Duilio Del Prete
    • Partisan
    Dennis Burgess
    • Maj. Dobbrick
    Brook Williams
    • Capt. Priebke
    Guidarino Guidi
    • Guido Buffarini-Guidi
    Douglas Hare
    • Young German Soldier
    Carlos de Carvalho
      Jacques Herlin
      Jacques Herlin
      • Giovanni
      Shirley Corrigan
      Shirley Corrigan
        • George P. Cosmatos
      • Writers
        • Robert Katz(book "Death in Rome")
        • George P. Cosmatos
        • Lucio De Caro(uncredited)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

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      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Filmed in the winter of 1972-73, the film had a limited release in the summer of 1975.
      • Goofs
        The film portrays General Kurt Mälzer as an impulsive and hardcore Nazi, whilst Herbert Kappler is depicted as a tired worn out man who believes that the fall of Nazi Germany is imminent. In reality, Kappler was a zealous Nazi responsible for hundreds of round-ups, executions, and reprisals, whilst it was Mälzer who was a reserved officer, cautious about implementing harsh policies.
      • Quotes

        Father Pietro Antonelli: I would prefer a world that didn't need protecting.

        Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler: And I would prefer a religion that didn't need priests.

      • Connections
        Referenced in Escape to Athena: Cast and Crew Interviews (1978)

      User reviews23

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      8/10
      Excellent, but very dry, war drama
      I like this movie because of its accuracy and the excellent acting of the main cast, and also of the supporting characters. The film is very dry though, and slow, and presumably not meant as pure entertainment. It is, in my view, a more or less accurate depiction of what happened, not a star vehicle for the brilliant actors Richard Burton (Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler) and Marcello Mastroianni (Father Pietro Antonelli). John Steiner is also superb as Col. Dollmann.

      This is not a film for thrill-seekers. It is a film for those who enjoy good acting, direction and historical accuracy. The main actors were serious artists, and I am sure they were very happy to participate in this well-crafted, very structured and chilling account of the German occupation of Rome. I give it 8 out of 10 stars, and that's me being conservative.
      helpful•20
      7
      • mondo65
      • Jan 16, 2005

      Details

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      • Release date
        • October 24, 1973 (United States)
        • Italy
        • France
        • Italian
        • English
      • Also known as
      • Filming locations
        • Villa Parisi, Monte Porzio Catone, Roma, Lazio, Italy
      • Production companies
        • Surf Film
        • Compagnia Cinematografica Champion
        • Fiduciary
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

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      • 1 hour 50 minutes
        • Mono

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