Paolo Infascelli Movies
- 1985
In this Italian drama, based upon the epic novel by Morante, a half-Jewish mother endeavors to conceal her identity during the Mussolini years, 1941-1947. The story is set in Rome where the mother has worked as a school teacher. It begins when the mother, who has a teenage son, is raped and impregnated by a German soldier. She later bears an epileptic son. She and her sons suffer greatly during the war. The mother too, must suffer through an internal war as her fear of persecution conflicts with the guilt of concealing her religion. More trouble ensues when her oldest son gets involved with the partisans. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudia Cardinale, Lambert Wilson, (more)
- 1981
In this light comedy based on a play by Aldo de Benedetti from the 1950s, Princess Lucia (Monica Vitti) is miffed that her husband, Prince Giulio (Philippe Leroy is single-mindedly focused on his race horses to the point that he is ignoring her. She decides to find out if he really does love her by convincing her bodyguard to pose as her lover - if her husband gets jealous, then he must care a little anyway. This seems like a fine plan until her bodyguard's girlfriend shows up unexpectedly, creating a few tight situations. Prince Giulio finally sees green through his equine-induced haze, and now all the Princess has to do is straighten out any misunderstandings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monica Vitti, Diego Abatantuono, (more)
- 1973
On March 24, 1944, in the Ardeatine Caves outside Rome, one of the most infamous atrocities of World War II occurred -- the mass execution of 330 Italians in retaliation for the deaths of 33 Germans. The book Death in Rome contends that Pope Pius XII knew of the German plan but did nothing to stop it. In this film adaptation, Richard Burton plays Col. Herbert Kappler, a Nazi officer torn between his devotion to Hitler's cause and his love for Italy when he is ordered by his superior officer, Gen. Kurt Maelzer (Leo McKern), to see that this execution is carried out. Opposing the Germans and reacting against the silence of the Pope is Vatican priest Don Antonelli (Marcello Mastroianni), who chooses to die with the Italians rather than continue to act as a middleman between the German army and the Romans. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Burton, Marcello Mastroianni, (more)
