The Scarlet and the Black (1983)

Vatican efforts, lead by Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, to save Allied P.O.W.s and downed Allied airmen as the Nazis invade Rome.

Director:

Jerry London

Writers:

J.P. Gallagher (book), David Butler

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Christopher Plummer, John Gielgud

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Peck	...	Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty
Christopher Plummer	...	Col. Herbert Kappler
John Gielgud	...	Pope Pius XII (as Sir John Gielgud)
Raf Vallone	...	Father Vittorio
Kenneth Colley	...	Capt. Hirsch (as Ken Colley)
Walter Gotell	...	Gen. Max Helm
Barbara Bouchet	...	Minna Kappler
Julian Holloway	...	Alfred West
Angelo Infanti	...	Father Morosini
Olga Karlatos	...	Francesca Lombardo
Michael Byrne	...	Reinhard Beck
T.P. McKenna	...	Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Count Langenthal
John Terry	...	Lt. Jack Manning
Peter Burton	...	Sir D'Arcy Osborne

Storyline

Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty is a Vatican official in 1943-45 who has been hiding downed pilots, escaped prisoners of war, and Italian Resistance families. His diplomatic status in a Catholic country prevents Colonel Kappler from openly arresting him, but O'Flaherty's activities become so large that the Nazis decide to assassinate him the next time he leaves the Vatican. O'Flaherty continues his work in a variety of disguises. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

based on real person | based on real events | hero | 20th century | 1940s | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA UK Italy

Language:

English German Italian

Release Date:

2 February 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Vatican Pimpernel

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Bill McCutchen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of three occasions in his career in which Sir John Gielgud played a Pope. The other two were The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), where he played the fictional Pope Pius XIII, and Elizabeth (1998), where he played the real-life Pope Pius V.

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Goofs

When any semi-automatic or full automatic weapon is fired, no empty shell casings are ejected.

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Quotes

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty: Colonel, do I get the idea that you're tryin' to put a crimp in my social life?
Col. Herbert Kappler: Damn you and damn your social life, priest!

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Alternate Versions

An edited version of approximately 110 minutes (120 minutes when broadcast with adverts) is sometimes shown on TV in the UK.

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Connections

References Massacre in Rome (1973)

User Reviews

A TV movie that is of Big Screen Quality!

Based on a true story set during World War II in Rome, this made for television movie stars Gregory Peck in yet another fine role,(as if he could ever do a bad one.)The supporting cast is also amazing with fine performances from Christopher Plummer and Sir John Gielgud, with Raf Valone, Vernon Dobchef and Walter Gotell among others.

It is a fast paced history/war/drama/thriller in the mold of such films as "The Third Man," and "The Thirty Nine Steps." The frenetic musical score of Ennio Morricone (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) helps to keep the pace on the edge of you seat. This is simply some fine film making at its very best, and I highly recommend it, if you have not already had a chance to see it. Just a beautiful film.