GENERAL DELLA ROVERE

Italy, 1959, 129 minutes, Black and white.
Vittorio de Sica, Hannes Messemer.
Directed by Roberto Rossellini.

General Della Rovere is a later work by writer-director Roberto Rossellini. Rossellini was celebrated for his World War Two films Open City and Paisa. He was also celebrated for his films in the '50s with his then wife Ingrid Bergman.

This film takes up World War Two themes, a confidence man is asked to impersonate an Axis General. The part is played to perfection by director-actor Vittorio de Sica. In fact, the film is a tour de force for him. Once again, Rossellini explores the nature of World War Two and its effect on Italians.

1. An interesting and entertaining war film? Italian perspective? The perspective of the '50s on the world war?

2. The work of Roberto Rossellini, the qualities of his craft, his vision? The background of World War Two films? Italian realism? The contribution of Vittorio de Sica from his own work as director and as actor?

3. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of the city of Genoa, the war, the streets, prison? The musical score?

4. The film as a true story? Exploration of human nature in crisis? A tale of two cities?

5. Bardone and the walk, the city, age and background? Money and gambling? Encountering the General - friendly? The girl in the cabaret? The jewels, fake? The advocate and the son? His needing money, attempts to sell? Lack of interest? The old girlfriend and hurt, mother? Buying the fake jewellery and reaction? The woman and her mother, charm, help? With the Germans? Pleading the cause? The phone call, the cafe? Death? The gamble and its purpose?

6. The women and their charm? The variety of women, personalities? Interactions and effect?

7. The General and his situation, war, Naples, Rome? The north? Stance?

8. The impact of the death of the General? The consequences?

9. The plan: Bardone: the arrest, jail and his experience? The liaison? The other prisoners (resistance and their background)? Torture, the barber and death? The passing of the message and its consequences? Torture? The photo of the Contessa? The decision not to tell? Hearing of the resistance? In the bombardment, taking charge, at the execution? A man redeemed?

10. The General, the Contessa, humane, the plan, the ending and the mistake?

11. War in general, the significance of World War Two and its effect on individuals? Exploitation and suffering? Redemption?

12. Rossellini's faith in human nature and the possibilities of redemption?