On 10th July 1943,
the allied fleet bombarded Sicily.
12 hours later,
the allied landing in Europe had begun under cover of the night.
The first allied patrols began to advance on Italian territory.
Nicuzzo! Nicuzzo!
Your Comrades left this morning.
Welcome, comrades! They didn’t land, did they?
They're Americans.
If Americans land here, they'll end up horizontal.
My son was at Licata. He's a soldier.
You haven’t hurt him have you?
We won't hurt you, but tell us...
what's happened here?
Are you Italian Like us?
My father is Sicilian, born in Gela.
Gela? I'm from Gela too.
It's been awful, so much bombing.
The Germans left this morning, -We're here because of the wake.
We can't even lay my daughter in law,
to rest in peace.
How many Germans were here?
Your name?
- Tony Mascali.
My father left Gela and went to America.
He's lying.
There aren't any Mascalis in Gela.
When did the Germans go?
How many were there?
Many three thousand.
- 30,000! - 30 million!
They went north, towards Scopins maybe.
Mines on the coast. The only safe way is over the lava.
Carmella’s been that way, looking for her folks.
Carmela, these Americans want to talk to you.
You know the way over the lava?
I often go that way.
Is it a path or a road?
It's lava.
Can someone in your family lead us?
No. My brother and my father have been away four days.
I wanted to rejoin them
I know the way, I'll lead you.
You can't go with these strangers.
You really want to come with us?
Why did you try to escape??
I didn’t come here for you.
I'm going to look for my brother and father.
Well done Carmela, don't worry about your folks.
If we find them, we'll bring them back.
You stay here. Handsome Joe will keep you company
Can't I go back to the church?
We'll all go back there later.
No light!
The sea, my father and brother went out to sea.
The sea's calm, maybe they're held up by the fighting.
I'll look for them...
You're all alike. You. Germans Fascists, men with guns.
You said come?
Come?
The same in American?
Milk. Uncle Luca had cows.
He put 7 children on one.
- Why Shoot? - I saw a light.
People are so scared, they're imagining things.
I did see a light.
It must have been over there.
What a romantic spot.
Just the place we need.
There's even straw to lie on.
Let’s set up HQ here.
Just the place to break your neck.
Who are you?
Why leave the village?
I was afraid.
We've found a girl.
-Afraid? -Of the Americans.
Even here you find people.
-We're friends. Did you make the light?
She has lost her Tongue. Bad sign in a girl
If she did make a light, there might be others.
She's well upholstered.
She'll be more than enough for us three.
What have you picked up this time?
Why are you here?
Have you come to meet your boyfriend?
Don't touch.
Pretty stupid of him not to turn up?
You fancy her.
No I'm completely clapped out
too much rushing around.
You would have rather.
found wine
I’m so thirsty, I'd settle for water.
Any water here?
Is it far?
I'll fetch some.
We're in for a good time tonight.
Fritz, do you think they'll advance any further?
will we retreat to Palermo?
We'll never retreat.
Tomorrow we'll counter attack
and they'll run back to Egypt just like rabbits.
The advance through southern Italy was rapid.
On 8 September Italy Capitulated. An allied fleet menaced Naples
When German resistance was broken at Salerno...
..Naples was liberated within a few weeks.
Naples became the most important..
...supply depot to the Allies.
Egyptian fakir defies death with his lungs of steel!
Watch him leap!
Ladies and gentlemen...
...he could break his neck!!
- Where are you going? - It's no good here.
I'm going down to the port.
Leaving us?
Learn to eat fire! Fire eating's profitable.
Want to earn 50 lire?
Make it 200 .
100?
I said 200.
Settle for 150.
What do I do?
Keep a lookout for Military Police . We're doing a job.
Nice teeth..
Look at his jacket .
Why not take his boots?.
3000 lire
3000 and 2 packets of cigarettes.
-3000 -I've outbid that!
MPs run for it!
Christians! fight the Sarazin!
God calls us.
- We seek not riches! - Justice and civilization!
Death to the Moors!
I, the white Orlando, against you, the black Moor
You're blowing the wrong way.
Here's a key, but it's useless. The door was blown in.
I didn't like your song.
Joe, I'll steal your boots If you sleep.
-Where's your home? -I haven't got one.
Where's mama and papa?
Mama and Papa are dead. Bombs.
There was a long, tragic halt at Monte Cassino.
On 22nd February, 1944, the Allies landed at Anzio.
Rome waited.
After a series of arduous battles, the German defence was broken.
Through Rome...
...Kesselring's troops retreated northward.
Miraculously preserved, the city welcomed its liberators.
SIX MONTHS LATER
American cigarettes. Singles or packs.
What's she gawping at? That hag's been staring all night.
That yokel.
You slag! You'll have had it when these guys go.
You'll be back in rags, like you were before.
The cops are here.
My papers are in order. Wait, I'll show you.
Ticket, please.
Did a girl in a fur coat go in?
It was nothing.
May I bring him in ?
-He's drunk. -He'll soon fall asleep.
Let's hope he keeps quiet.
They tore my dress. Why did you have to bring your MPs to Rome?
Is it this cold in America?
Won't you get undressed?
What lovely manners! Still, you're very sweet.
Warm me up.
If you don't like my type, you should have thought of it sooner.
You must have been in bars all day. Isn't a girl better?
Sure, Rome's full of girls like me.
Water, please. Water for washing.
I'm afraid the pipes are broken.
It's not very cool. We've been without water for two weeks.
No, a lot of water, to wash my face.
Here's the soap. It's not very good.
No need to hurry.
I like Italian girls...
...their language, their eyes...
...their hair, their bodies.
When the thief saw the policeman...
...he ran around the corner.
I've no food or drink to offer you.
Happy?
We waited so long. Why couldn’t you get here earlier?
I don't understand.
Why did you take so long to get to Rome?
It was very difficult.
Yes you are here.
Afraid?
Not afraid. Very happy. It hardly seems true.
It's been so awful.
No, It's lovely. Rome's lovely, everything's lovely, you're lovely.
Come back.
Why didn't you look at me?
Don't you remember the fountain in the square?
Francesca's house was red, with the biggest doorway in the square
She's become like you.
She hasn't. There are lots of good girls who work.
They've been able to stave off hunger by working.
She's one of those.
The tree is still there, but it hasn’t flowered since that day.
I know Francesca's house.
Piazza dei Quiriti, number 8.
Go to her tomorrow, she's waiting for you.
Going already?
When he wakes up tomorrow, give him this address.
Tell him he must go there.
Antonio, what is the time? -Ten thirty.
Has anyone called for me?
Pursued by the allies...
...the Germans retreated north to Tuscany.
There was fighting on the hills around Florence.
In early August, the suburbs South of the Arno were liberated.
North of the river, in the centre of Florence...
...partisans fought German troops, and Fascist snipers.
We're wounded.
Tonio, look at those girls. I'd have got wounded earlier, if I’d known
Does that hurt? let me look at it.
You speak Italian. - I lived in Florence
The Germans Ambushed us.
We'd been resisting, after all the fighting...
...on the Arno embankment in Florence.
We waited a long time for the British.
-The British are in the city? -Didn't you know?
But they stopped this side of the Arno.
All we could do was cross over and join them.
- When did you leave Florence? -Two days ago.
It'll all be liberated now.
No, all bridges are blown, except the Ponte Vecchio.
-Do you live in Florence? No, I'm from Lucca.
I joined the Arno brigade because it was undermanned.
Don't you know anyone in Florence?
Do you know someone?
I had many friends there.
Did you know Guido Lombardi, the painter?
Everyone knows him.
Would it be hard to find him?
Impossible, he's our leader.
But no one ever knows where the famous Wolf is.
Look at these American girls.
Cheer up, you'll see your wife again.
Any news of Wolf?
Some say he's wounded, some say he isn't
Anyway, he did a great job in Florence.
With my help of course, I had it beautifully organised.
Before the Germans took over, we moved in broad daylight.
Any news of Wolf?
Nothing sure, he's in there fighting
I heard he was wounded, but who knows what's going on over there.
The British trucks have arrived.
Don't you recognise me? I live across the street from you.
It's the end of the world for we have sinned.
Can you tell me about my wife and child?
Can't you see how she is?
Aren't you her son? You've come from the other side haven't you?
We've had our own troubles to worry about.
Harriet, when did you get back to Italy?
Can you tell me where Guido is?
Don't you know he's now the legendary Partisan leader, Wolf?
He's on the other side of the river.
I must see him.
My family's over there. Let's try to get across together.
The first newspaper. Wolf wounded!
It's true, Wolf's been wounded.
He was a great lad.
-Do you know him? -We're friends.
He did a big portrait of me.
He was a good painter too.
Watch out for the machine gun.
A grenade just exploded over there.
My house is just beyond that boulevard.
The committee of National Liberation may have news of him.
I'd like to go over myself, and chase out those snipers.
Are there any Partisans for them to shoot at?
In some areas, but the Fascists are shooting out of spite.
They shoot housewives, while these guys are admiring the view.
How do you get news?
By telephone. I shouldn't tell you, but there's a line.
Can't you help me reach my family ?
If I took you, they wouldn't let you through.
Where?
I shouldn't tell you.
The river can be crossed, they do say.
Yes but where?
Use your imagination.
The Uffizi passageway?
You never said a word, Thanks.
Don't start from Palazzo Pitti, the passageway's broken there.
Look who's here
Gigi, I'm in luck.
I must cross over.
Off you go.
I know the passageway's still open; some people have gone that way.
No one's crossed, that's nonsense.
The passage to Uffizi has existed for centuries, I’m going to use it.
You'll do no such thing.
I'm a free man.
You're not free to endanger others.
People are crossing, but what if the Germans find out?
It's a miracle they haven't spotted it.
And how will you leave the Uffizi?
The Germans are in the Piazza della Signora
No one's allowed in the streets, you'll be picked up.
Even medical services have difficulty...
and they're authorised
You don't know the way. -I'll find it
Be careful, wear a red cross armband if you can.
The Partisans control Jacopino only.
The Ponte Vecchio.
They've blown all the other bridges.
Look the Germans.
Let us in, the Germans are coming.
Uncle, some people want to cross the roof
Go on, but keep your heads down.
Listen to that big gun.
For three days they've been shelling that district.
Which way for Sant Jacopino?
There's Borgo Ognissanti: Go down that way.
Are the Germans in the streets?
No, two days ago the Partisans began an assault in the area.
Maybe they know about Wolf? How long have they been fighting?
Two days: They attacked on the night before last.
Major, your wife wants you to come down.
I can't go now, tell her to send up my helmet.
For the sun, you know. I know how to avoid bullets.
I went right through the Great War - the real one.
Here's another map.
They're at Galluzzo. Send word right away.
What's the best route ?
Try over the rooftops, but watch out for broken tiles.
There's the big gun again
They say the British have brought flour, on the other side.
Will there be enough for everybody?
Yes, I saw the sacks myself.
Why aren't they crossing the river?
Because the Germans blew the bridges.
My Aunt lives near Santa Trinita: were houses destroyed?
Only those near the Ponte Vecchio
What are the British waiting for, Partisans control Sant' Jacopino.
That woman says people can go out on the streets there.
Tell me how to get there.
It's just a few minutes from the courtyard.
But be careful, Fascists are sniping from the rooftops.
Careful ! Don't let it bump against the kerb
Keep back ! Where have you come from?
I must get to my family, over there.
I want to go there too, but they're not letting anyone over.
Fascists and Germans are there.
Have they demolished buildings?
Have buildings been destroyed?
There was a lot of smoke over there this morning.
Carlo do you recognise me?
I can't let you through. Fascists are shooting from the roofs.
All right, we'll ask the chief.
They want to cross.
All right, let them come.
Get ready, they're moving out.
Marco, I know this guy.
-Where are you going? -A few doors away.
You can't cross now.
My wife and child are in that building over there.
Marco, tell my family what happened to me...
... so they won't worry.
Everything's gone wrong today, since Wolf died.
You won't yell at me any more, Wolf. We're in the same boat.
The German's "Gothic Line"
Bitterly defending every hamlet, the enemy retreated slowly.
Let us thank the Lord, who has delivered us from all danger.
If we'd brought the pigs here too, the Germans wouldn't have got them.
Take your chickens.
Very Reverend Provincial Father
Thanks to divine providence, we are safe and sound.
Our monastery has suffered very little.
The Americans are here! In little cars!
Fra' Pacifico won't be a moment.
Father Superior is waiting for you.
Peace be with you, brothers, May Saint Francis bless you.
We are American chaplains.
Could we spend the night here?
Our doors are open to all. Fra' Pacifico will prepare rooms.
Our brothers: the Vicar, the organist...
I'd like to ask about my town, San Leo.
Have you any news of San Leo?
Badly damaged?
Not too badly.
I'll say a special prayer to the Holy Mother for you...
...for spiritual and temporal aid, throughout...
We make this liqueur from our own apples, Fathers.
The rooms are ready.
One forgot this. -Take it to them.
Will they stay here tonight? Will they have dinner?
Certainly, we'll share what we have.
-What's for supper? -Broccoli.
Enough for three guests too?
There's too little.
Some potatoes?
Too few.
What about pears on the tree, in the garden?
They are wild pears, and they are not ripe anyway.
Try to do your best. I know I can count on you.
Divine providence will help us.
Open the door.
An offering...for saving our animals.
Meat and vegetables, all very good
Cocoa, butter, more meat...
Look what they gave me. Eggs, and butter, even.
Eggs in tins?
Those Americans, they think of everything.
I'll do it, you might cut your fingers.
It's milk.
Nothing ever grew here. Now it's the most fertile part
A miracle of Fra' Raffaele's.
What a good smell.
It's mint.
Such a beautiful garden.
He's very bad.
No he's good.
I must go now.
Why did they pray?
Those two are very bad. He's a Protestant, and he's a Jew.
Fra' Salvatore, one chaplain is a Jew.
One chaplain is a Jew.
A Jew in our monastery?
And one's a Protestant.
The heresy of Luther, the worst protestant.
What is the trouble my sons?
One chaplain is a Jew. The other is a Protestant.
Two lost souls, Father Superior.
No soul is lost if it lives and craves redemption.
We can give opportunities for redemption, brothers.
Forgive me, but may I ask you something?
Have you been with the other chaplains for long?
We've been trough the Italian campaign together; twenty-one months.
Sicily, Salerno, Rome, Florence.
They're my dear friends; I admire them greatly
You've never tried to lead them to the true faith?
Father, the Protestant, and the Jew are equally convinced of their faith.
But we know that they err.
Yes of course.
We must use every means to try to save these lost souls.
I'm a priest, and I humbly believe I'm a good Catholic.
Forgive me, I didn't mean to remind you of your duties.
But you are a military chaplain.
In your mission, you accompany the soldiers into battle
Haven't you thought that your companions might perish?
Saint Paul says:
omnes quidem resurgemus sed non omnes mutabimus in gloria.
But for those in good faith:
in novissima tuba surget in gloria.
True, but have you examined their consciences?
Are you sure they are in good faith?
Have you discussed things?
No, I have never examined their consciences.
I've never discussed it, and I've never raised the subject...
... because I never thought I could judge them
They're very good friends.
In this peace, this atmosphere of serene contemplation...
...perhaps you may consider me guilty.
I don't feel guilty, my conscience is clear.
We have an unbreakable rule of silence during meals
On this day, the following brothers passed on to a better life
In 1722, Father Salvatore of San Leo
In 1743, Father Giambattista of Rimini
In 1744, Father Theodore of San Marino.
Please begin.
We'll wait for you.
We're fasting.
Because divine providence sent to our refuge two souls...
... on whom the light of truth must descend
Our human presumption makes us hope...
... we may obtain a great gift from heaven
Forgive me if I do not observe your rule.
But I must talk to you.
To say...
...that what you have given me is such a great gift...
... i feel I shall always be indebted to you
I have found here the peace of mind I had lost...
... in the trials of war
A beautiful, moving lesson of humility, simplicity...
... and pure faith.
In the delta of the river Po, south of Venice.
Partisans and American OSS joined forces...
...in a desperate struggle with the Germans.
Partisan! Bandit!
I'll get him.
"San Marco" where's the radio set?
You two come with me.
That's Casel Madalena.
We'll get food there.
Here's Cigolani.
Germans were here.
Let them search. You know I've got Americans hidden.
We haven't lit a fire for three days.
German lookouts are everywhere.
They're hunting us hard. Anything to eat?
Some polenta
And eels.
Can I bring an American in?
Hide it away.
Take as many as you like.
I've got details of the drop.
Cigolani, the signal fires.
Put them out
Shooting at Casel Madalena.
Cigolani, take your men to Pancirli and wait there.
British planes attacking Scardovari.
They're British not American.
Just those two?
Better than nothing.
You couldn't get anything off the plane before it sank?
Quick or the Germans will get us.
Gunboats are coming. Scatter out to sea.
What will they do to us?
Do you think they'd kill Cigolani and not us?
They'll kill us too.
My family will never know what happened to me.
He pissed on me like a whore.
That was the winter of 1944
In the spring of 1945, the war was over.