Saw a 16mm print of this in a class and it was a splendid experience. Like Open City, it is brutal and honest for its time and cements a movement in film history. As real as it is projected, I got a dreamy feeling out of it

A classic of the Italian neo-realist movement! No one showed real life quite like Rossellini, and it's influenced everyone from Scorsese to Spike Lee.

Wonderful vignettes...the way short stories should be, with that drive and sense of a larger story surrounding them. Thematically united by the Allied invasion of Italy, exciting and refreshingly devoid of any didactic agenda. Not life-changing, but ... (read more) Wonderful vignettes...the way short stories should be, with that drive and sense of a larger story surrounding them. Thematically united by the Allied invasion of Italy, exciting and refreshingly devoid of any didactic agenda. Not life-changing, but simply good.

This is arguably Roberto Rossellini's finest moment as he sketches the Allied liberation of Italy in six loose, episodic chapters. His usual themes of alienation, the failure of communication- especially across people who do not speak the same langua... (read more) This is arguably Roberto Rossellini's finest moment as he sketches the Allied liberation of Italy in six loose, episodic chapters. His usual themes of alienation, the failure of communication- especially across people who do not speak the same language but through circumstance are compelled to work together- and the role of the individual in times of state crisis are wonderfully worked through. Forget the "dodgy" camera work (it was made in 1946 and Rossellini had to steal the stock and camera/s) and use of unprofessional actors, it's all about how we speak of the world we live in. Much more than neo realism and demonstrates what a long way he had come in the brief time since Roma, Citta Aperta. The images of Partisans crucified in the Po Valley by fascists will always linger.

I appreciate it, but found Rome Open City the superior film. I guess neo-realism did not extend to the dialogue of the American troops...

A really good film. Each episode features a touching story, none of which is overdone and all which touch upon important aspects of the human condition, especially during wartime. Really quite moving, especially the ending. I'm starting to get int... (read more) A really good film. Each episode features a touching story, none of which is overdone and all which touch upon important aspects of the human condition, especially during wartime. Really quite moving, especially the ending. I'm starting to get into this neorealism stuff!

A far better film than its predecessor. A great study in the personal tragedies of war that are often overlooked as well as a provocative meditation on the failure to communicate that still resonates today.

I really disliked this film for a few main reasons. The poor attempt at a plot, the confusing moments in each chapter were I didn't know what was happening or who was saying what, and the dodgy camering and quality didn't help. The idea of the story ... (read more) I really disliked this film for a few main reasons. The poor attempt at a plot, the confusing moments in each chapter were I didn't know what was happening or who was saying what, and the dodgy camering and quality didn't help. The idea of the story is a good one, which shows a real insight into Italy at the end of WW2, but wasn't well enough set out

E' indispensabile guardalo in lingua originale, lasciando risuonare le inflessioni dialettali italiane così come l'iglese ed il tedesco.

All of the episodes (centered around allied soldiers interacting with Italian civilians) are involving--and pretty depressing as well. You can tell that Italy's film industry was still in shambles (Rossellini said that he sometimes had to steal film ... (read more) All of the episodes (centered around allied soldiers interacting with Italian civilians) are involving--and pretty depressing as well. You can tell that Italy's film industry was still in shambles (Rossellini said that he sometimes had to steal film equipment) but, save for some bad subtitles and choppy editing. it doesn't hurt the film overall.