Directed by: Roberto Rossellini
Released: 1945
Run
time: 97 minutes
Certificate: 15
View trailer on Youtube: click here
The most precious moment in film history...
Martin Scorsese
Rome, Open City, is universally acknowledged as an early neo-realistic classic. Filmed on the war-devastated streets of Rome, in the months immediately following the end of WW2, it has an immediacy and authenticity that later war films with much bigger budgets have often lacked. Shot on scraps of film from wherever director Roberto Rossellini could find it and using a mix of professional and non-professional actors.
The scenes of Nazi officers torturing Italian resistance fighters remain gruesome and shocking, but there is plenty of lyricism and humour too.
Rossellini was one of the most influential directors of all time amongst the creators of Italian neo-realism. His films influenced France’s Nouvelle Vague movement in the 1950’s and 60’s. He has also influenced many American directors including Martin Scorsese.
