Last Days of Mussolini
Last Days of Mussolini | |
---|---|
![]() Italian DVD poster | |
Directed by | Carlo Lizzani |
Written by | Carlo Lizzani Fabio Pittorru |
Produced by | Enzo Peri |
Starring | Rod Steiger Franco Nero Henry Fonda |
Cinematography | Roberto Gerardi |
Edited by | Franco Fraticelli |
Music by | Ennio Morricone |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
Country | Italy |
Languages | Italian German |
Last Days of Mussolini(Italian:Mussolini: Ultimo atto) is a 1974 Italianhistorical drama filmco-written and directed byCarlo Lizzaniand starringRod Steiger,Franco NeroandLisa Gastoni.The film depicts the days leading up to thedeath of Benito Mussolini,the Italian dictator, when he attempted to flee Milan in April 1945 at the end ofWorld War II in Europe.[1]
Plot summary
[edit]In 1945,Benito Mussolinigoes toMilanto talk with ArchbishopAlfredo Ildefonso Schusterto request his help in escaping from Italy. TheRepublic of Salò,the last bastion of fascism, is decaying, andthe Americans,along withthe partisansare about towin control of Milan.Mussolini flees, pursued by his loverClaretta Petacci,and manages to get to the northern village ofDongo.There he clashes with the Germans, who order him to disguise himself as an officer of Germany rather than be captured by the partisans. Mussolini accepts without objection, always hoping for a revolt of his loyal fascists, but they are in jeopardy. When Mussolini is recognised,Walter Audisio,the leader of the partisans, initially wants to hand him over to the Americans, so that Mussolini undergoesdue process.But the war crimes of the Duce are too great, so Audisio makes the decision to shoot him in front of the Villa Belmonte in the village ofGiulino,along with his female companion.
Cast
[edit]- Rod SteigerasBenito Mussolini
- Franco NeroasWalter Audisio,alias 'Valerio'
- Lisa GastoniasClaretta Petacci
- Lino Capolicchioas Pierluigi Bellini delle Stelle, alias 'Pedro'
- Henry Fondaas CardinalAlfredo Ildefonso Schuster
- Giuseppe AddobbatiasRaffaele Cadorna, Jr.
- Bruno Corazzarias Lt. Fritz Birzer
- Giacomo Rossi Stuartas Jack Donati
- Rodolfo Dal PraasRodolfo Graziani
- Manfred Freybergeras Otto Kisnat
Bibliography
[edit]- Angelo Paratico:Ben.Mursia, 2010.
References
[edit]- ^Celli, C.; Cottino-Jones, M. (2007).A New Guide to Italian Cinema.Springer. p. 41.ISBN978-0-230-60182-6.
External links
[edit]
- 1974 films
- 1975 films
- 1970s biographical drama films
- 1970s Italian-language films
- English-language Italian films
- Films directed by Carlo Lizzani
- Films about Benito Mussolini
- Films scored by Ennio Morricone
- Italian biographical drama films
- 1974 drama films
- 1975 drama films
- 1970s Italian films
- 1970s Italian film stubs