Released from jail, Nanni (Checchi) punches prison guard Stefano (Ninchi) who has
denounced him. In order to take revenge, Stefano suggests the suspicion that, during his
absence, his wife has had business with the Count Paolo (Rimoldi). A few days later, at
night, a deadly ambush will be prepared.Read More »
Italian Cinema under Fascism
-
Mario Soldati – Tragica notte aka Tragic night (1942)
1941-1950DramaItalian Cinema under FascismItalyMario Soldati -
James Hay – Popular Film Culture in Fascist Italy – The Passing of the Rex (1987)
1981-1990BooksItalian Cinema under FascismJames HayUSAThis is the first comprehensive examination in English of Italian cinema during the Fascist era. James Hay discusses the films of the 1920s and 1930s in terms of the popular culture and cultural policy of the times. The hundreds of films produced during this period have generally been discredited as propagandistic or as “white telephones” by both film and social historians. Hay, however, argues that this interpretation is much too simplistic. He demonstrates that this popular film culture was the result of a growing public “literacy” of film and of the interaction of cultural, social, and political transformations. This study uses popular cinematic narratives and images to discuss how Italians began to see themselves as a nation and as a cultura popolare.
Popular Film Culture in Fascist Italy is profusely illustrated with photos from films such as Grandi magasini and Squadrone bianco as well as popular classics such as AmarcordRead More » -
Michelangelo Antonioni – Gente del Po AKA People of the Po Valley (1947)
Documentary1941-1950Italian Cinema under FascismItalyMichelangelo AntonioniShort FilmA non-fiction documentary made between 1943 and 1947 about a barge trip down the Po River, looking at the relationship between individuals and their environment.Read More »
-
Mario Camerini – Gli Uomini, che mascalzoni! AKA What Scoundrels Men Are! (1932)
Comedy1931-1940Italian Cinema under FascismItalyMario CameriniRomanceThis delightful romantic comedy, had it been made in America during this same period might have featured Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur and might have been directed by Gregory La Cava.
It gives us a Vittorio De Sica as a chauffeur, Bruno, who passes himself off as a man of importance by offering Mariuccia (Lia Franca) a ride in the car which he passes off as his own. She is the daughter of taxi driver Cesare Zoppetti. From the city of Milan they go off to the country for, spending some time at an inn, enjoying each other’s company. Bruno romances her with the song “Parlami d’amore, Mariù” or “Talk Love to Me, Mariuccia” by Cesare A. Bixio, which made the Italian hit parade of the time.Read More » -
Roberto Rossellini – Fantasia Sottomarina aka Undersea Fantasy (1940)
1931-1940Italian Cinema under FascismItalyRoberto RosselliniShort FilmFunny cinematic exercise made by Rossellini before his first feature. Something between a Discovery Channel animal documentary and a fable under the sea.
Worth seeing for its historical status.Read More » -
Roberto Rossellini – Un Pilota ritorna aka A Pilot Returns (1942)
1941-1950DramaItalian Cinema under FascismItalyRoberto RosselliniWarIMDB plot:
“A young Italian pilot is interned in a British prison camp after his plane is shot down during the war against Greece. He falls in love with a doctor’s daughter and manages to escape during a bombardment. He reaches home, wounded, just as news arrives of the Greek surrender.”The film is based on a story by Vittorio Mussolini (credited with the anagram Tito Silvio Mursino).Read More »
-
Vittorio De Sica – Un Garibaldino al convento AKA A Garibaldian in the Convent (1942)
1941-1950ComedyDramaItalian Cinema under FascismItalyVittorio De SicaSummary:
An old woman’s poignant reminiscence of her youth in a convent school, the happy moments and the sad, and her tragic love for a Garibaldian.Read More » -
Alessandro Blasetti – La corona di ferro AKA The Iron Crown (1941)
1941-1950Alessandro BlasettiDramaFantasyItalian Cinema under FascismItalyStoryline
A crown, supposedly made from a nail out of the Cross of Christ and the metal of Roman swords, becomes a legend and a symbol of justice.
Imdb user review:
Wonderul Vintage Epic from Italia!, 18 October 2003
8/10
Author: olddiscs from Fords, NJBravo Blassetti ! Bravo Massimo Girotti ! What a surprise from Italy! An Epic saga..Mythological & religious…Sort of an Italian Star Wars meets Robin Hood meets Ben Hur ! Action ! Lust ! Mythological settings ! Forests, loincloths ,moats,chariots, swords, jousting & a story line which never loses your interest!!What a Spectacle !! predates most of our great spectacular films of the 1950s by many yrs (Ok, we had silent films King of Kings & 10 Commandments & some other De Mille Films, Sign of the Cross etc) but this mythological setting was unusual for the times… Cant wait to see again.. Massimo Girotti whose work I know from Senso & later Medea is excellent… rest of cast were not known to me & also not aware of director, Blassetti…. now I am !Will look forward to viewing The Iron Crown again,.and other films by Blassetti..Thanks again TCM !!Read More »