Rome, Open City poster

1945·104 min·Released

Rome, Open City

“Our battle has barely begun.”

Drama
War

During the Nazi occupation of 1944 Rome, Resistance leader Giorgio Manfredi is pursued by the Nazis as he seeks refuge and a means of escape.

8.0(981 votes)

Popularity2

Videos

Rome, Open City (Roma Città Aperta) - back in cinemas 17 May 2024 | BFI

Cast & Crew

Aldo Fabrizi

Aldo Fabrizi

Don Pietro Pellegrini

Marcello Pagliero

Marcello Pagliero

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris

Harry Feist

Harry Feist

Major Fritz Bergmann

Anna Magnani

Anna Magnani

Pina

Maria Michi

Maria Michi

Marina Mari

Francesco Grandjacquet

Francesco Grandjacquet

Francesco

Vito Annichiarico

Vito Annichiarico

Marcello

Ákos Tolnay

Ákos Tolnay

Austrian Deserter

Joop van Hulzen

Joop van Hulzen

Captain Hartmann

Carla Rovere

Carla Rovere

Lauretta

Giovanna Galletti

Giovanna Galletti

Ingrid

Nando Bruno

Nando Bruno

Agostino the Sexton

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CinemaSerf

Written on 2/17/2024

The fact that this was filmed in Rome at a time when you could probably still smell the fleeing Nazi's petrol fumes gives this an enthralling sense of authenticity. The story is centred around the character of "Manfredi" (Marcello Pagliero) who is being chased by the Gestapo, and so is trying to escape. Even though Rome has been declared "open" and is therefore not subject to bombardment, the citizens are still very much under the control of their occupiers and getting "Mandredi" to safety is no easy feat. He seeks shelter with his friend "Francesco" (Francesco Grandjacquet) but meets his fiancée "Pina" (Anna Magnani) instead. She wants to help him out and so they send for the priest "Don Pietro" (Aldo Fabrizi) who sees the safety of these resistance fighters as a core part of his responsibility to God. Even he, clad in his robes, is not immune though from the pursuing authorities and as they close in things become increasingly more perilous for all concerned. This is one of the most poignant wartime stories I have ever seen. It conveys the sense of brutality being faced by the community, but it also allows room for a spirit of optimism and hope to emerge too. The children continue to play and though their food is rationed, their day to day lives are not touched by the mayhem of many occupants of ruined cities elsewhere. The casting of the soldiers is masterly, as is that of the collaborative police commissioner and the whole ensemble, coupled with the characterful writing and the delicately framed photography really does give us a plausible insight into just how - even as the war was coming to a close - dangerous their lives were. It doesn't spare us some ghastliness at the conclusion either - but that's somehow an ultimate validation of an humanity that is plentiful throughout.

Media

Rome, Open City (Roma Città Aperta) - back in cinemas 17 May 2024 | BFI

Rome, Open City (Roma Città Aperta) - back in cinemas 17 May 2024 | BFI

Mark Kermode reviews Rome, Open City (1945) | BFI Player

Mark Kermode reviews Rome, Open City (1945) | BFI Player

Roberto Rossellini: The War Trilogy - trailer | BFI Blu-ray

Roberto Rossellini: The War Trilogy - trailer | BFI Blu-ray

Trailer [Subtitled]

Trailer [Subtitled]

'Rome, Open City' | Critic's Picks | The New York Times

'Rome, Open City' | Critic's Picks | The New York Times