Il Generale della Rovere

I still have yet to see one a Rossellini film that really knocks my socks off. Having said that, this was still pretty good. De Sica is excellent in the lead, making the character just slimy enough to be believable but allowing him enough redemption so the audience can root for him. There's a slightly dull section about halfway through, but things pick up again as the situation develops. There were some strong photographic elements, and the movie kept me fairly engaged.

In Nazi-controlled Genoa, a con-man (Vittoria De Sica) is forced to impersonate a partisan general so as to smoke out his contacts and plans, but instead comes to embrace the role, feeling like a hero for the first time in his life. Somewhat predictable, and the Oscar-nominated script doesn't fully explore the possibilities of its premise, but De Sica is excellent, as is Hannes Messemer as a calculating but humane Nazi colonel. Rossellini's direction is a little drab, but it has a good score.

Contrary to his famous neorealistic movies here R actually emphasizes that this is a fictional retelling of real events by contrasting clear studio shots with real footage. Another interesting way to read this movie is as a movie about directing and acting, with the colonel Müller as the director and Bardone as the actor losing himself in his part. Of course one also can just enjoy this a good gripping movie about a cheat transforming himself in a hero played by a excellent De Sica.

89.50

Há 60 anos estreava no festival de Veneza. Esse é um Rossellini meio esquecido se comparado a outros filmes dele, mas absolutamente sem razão, sua ideologia é uma força da natureza, especialmente num dos momentos finais em que uma das personagens resplandece clamando que é preciso fazer alguma coisa, seja de que lado for, foi o fazer nada que colocara a Itália naquela situação. Por isso, crianças, jamais seja neutro, especialmente em situações de opressão. BlurayRip no MakingOff.

"A fascinating crossroads in Rossellini's career." - Fernando F. Croce