Original subtitles

Is anyone there?

Perhaps Micòl is playing a little joke on us!

Who telephoned you? Alberto or Micòl?

- Micol. - What a stupid joke!

No, I was only joking. They're much too well-bred.

Maybe so, but still ... they're not here.

Is anyone there?

I'm here. I'm coming!

Race you to the entrance?

- Don't leave me behind! - Come on!

Pedal faster!

- Faster. - They're coming.

We've waited so long, I began to think they'd gone away.

Impossible! The Finzi-Continis never leave their kingdom.

The house is just a long way from the gate.

- Who is he? - Come in!

- We're almost there. - Finally!

Watch out.

- You need a tricycle. - You fool!

I'll teach you.

- Straight ahead. You can't miss it. - Thank you.

- What's that? - What a monster!

Does he bite?

With only four teeth left, Lord help us,

what can he bite... except corn mush?

- He's so damn big! - He looks like a horse.

I thought the palace only invited you,

but a lot of us were honoured.

We can thank our Fascists for the privilege.

Nice to see you loving as ever. Engaged yet?

When will you be, Giorgio?

To whom?

Everyone knows to whom.

Been in Ferrara long?

No, about a month.

But I don't get out much, like Alberto.

Do you know Micòl too?

No. What's she like?

Very beautiful: tall, blonde, but ...

unpredictable!

That way! That way!

We're here!

We're all here!

Come on, Alberto. They're here!

You lunatic - I'll fall!

- There's our Micòl! - There she is!

Hooray!

Hip hip hooray!

- Hello! - How are you?

Hello!

My brother and I decided to hold our own tournament here...

since the club's put us out.

It may even be more fun!

It's lovely here! Like the country!

Sorry that the court looks like an old potato field.

It needs a red clay top,

and deeper backspaces.

But Papa thinks any land that's not growing something is a total waste.

But next year maybe!

I'm sorry. You haven't met Adriana Trentini,

Carletto Sani,

Hello.

- ... and Tonino Collevatti. - Hello.

- Hello, Désirée. - Hello, Micòl.

- Want to change? - Are we playing or not?

Let the children play first, then the champions.

Let's play!

- You can change in the hutte. - The "hutte"? What's that?

- The cabin. Don't you know any German? - None at all!

Too bad! Learn some before this evening.

- Aren't you playing? - Later. I don't feel like it now.

Do you like him?

- Do you? - Oh, he's not my type.

- Who is he? - A great friend of Alberto.

You know ... Milan, university, love affairs.

He works in industry here.

- How are you? - Fine. And you?

Fine.

- Did you get your degree? - Not yet. In February. And you?

- The same. - In Venice?

Yes, but will they let us graduate?

I hope so.

Where have you been hiding?

I saw you in Venice at the Littoriali della Cultura.

I knew it was you. You haven't changed.

Why didn't you come over? It would have been nice.

I don't know.

I just didn't.

- What's your degree on? - English. Emily Dickinson.

The 19th-century American poet.

A fantastic woman. An old maid like me.

Here we are!

Jor!

Stay here. No!

She's beautiful, but maybe a bit silly?

Perhaps. What do you care?

Oh, me...

I like women like Gladys.

Beautiful, stupid,

and sufficiently -

easy!

Do you like Ferrara?

It's not nearly as dead as you told me it was.

It's lively. Lots of interesting people.

Especially among the proletariat...

in the so-called working class.

But the middle class, I don't care for.

They're all of them more or less Fascists.

Except for you Jews...

understandably...

Considering -

But at least the workers at my place are almost all anti-Fascist.

It's nice here.

But to think of being here forever -

You never go out anymore?

No, never.

Anyway, where would I go?

If it were possible ... to pick the faces one met on the street...

then ... I would go out.

But whenever I go out...

I always feel I'm being spied on...

envied.

Whereas here you can pick the faces.

- Is that what you mean? - Not exactly.

There are never many of us here. I never feel attacked.

I know what you think: that I have no zest for life.

But who can give me that?

My seven old greybeards. Do you know what they are?

- Palms. - Good!

But what kind of palms?

I don't know.

Granny Josette got them from the Rome Botanical Garden.

Washingtonia filifera.

Why are you laughing?

You're so ignorant!

I bet you can't tell an elm from an oak.

Come on, what tree is that?

They all look the same to me.

Well I really can't respect anyone who doesn't love trees!

That plane tree, for example...

may have been planted by Lucrezia Borgia!

Imagine!

It's nearly 500 years old.

Let's go.

A flat tyre!

When I was little, I used to run off.

Not Alberto. He was always more obedient.

One day, when I'd stayed out too long...

near the Wall of the Angels...

riding on bike handlebars with a gang of boys...

when I got home, I found my parents in such despair...

that I decided to be good.

- I never ran off again. - I thought you only rode with me!

I never invited anyone else into our garden.

- Really? - Yes, really.

Shall I stop?

Do you remember?

Ten years ago.

We were just children.

You really must be blind!

What are you doing?

I've been watching you for ten minutes.

If you were asleep and I woke you... please forgive me.

You have my sympathy.

Sympathy?

Why? What for?

What time is it?

Three o'clock, I think. You must be hungry.

Failed an exam, didn't you?

And you? Did you pass all yours?

I don't know yet. Private pupils take orals after you do.

I had mine today.

Relax! It's not important, repeating an exam!

Yes, it is, when it's the first time.

But it's done, so it doesn't matter anymore.

Yes? Then why didn't you go home for lunch?

- How did you know? - I just know.

I have my ways and means!

How can you perch there, like at a window?

On my trusty ladder.

Come on over. I'll show you what to do.

But it looks too high.

No, it's easy.

Use the notches and those nails I put there.

Where can I leave my bike?

Signorina Micòl, that's dangerous! You get down!

All right! Stop shouting!

The professor said not to go out!

It's dangerous, I say!

Goodbye!

Ten years passed before I had another opportunity to enter your garden.

- Alberto! - Let him whistle!

Come on!

But why?

Wait for me!

Collevatti, you're an ace!

Well played, Désirée.

Well, that was nice today.

Yes, yes. But actually, I prefer it when it's just us.

Remember this?

"Sentimental Over You".

Yes.

Are you cold?

Yes, a little.

Gina, please bring up a hot water bottle.

- Right away, miss Micòl. - Thank you.

Off to bed!

No, I don't feel like it.

What will I be like when I'm old? Like Granny Josette?

Well ... time will tell!

Today's paper! Read all about the meeting of the Supreme Council!

Today's paper!

- You think we'll move into the B League? - We can make it!

Today's paper! Read all about the meeting of the Supreme Council!

[ HEBREW ] May the Lord be with me

You spent yesterday afternoon at the Finzi-Continis?

Yes.

And how were they? Pleasant?

Very pleasant.

I'm sure they were!

Yes, because they're glad about what's happening.

It's quite clear.

What is?

That they basically welcome the anti-Semitic laws.

They're eager to see them passed.

Invitations, broad smiles, low bows...

and the garden finally opened to everyone!

Converted into a ghetto under their noble patronage!

In ghettos there are only Jews.

At the Finzi-Continis, except for Lattes and me,

they're all Aryans. Take Adriana Trentini!

Tricks, vile tricks, just to get hold of you!

Next comes your pet mania!

Meaning?

That our Mussolini is better than Hitler...

our Fascism better than Nazism!

Well, it's true!

Have you seen today's paper?

You should read it!

What does it say? I don't have my glasses.

It says that Jews may no longer marry non-Jews...

and our children are barred from state schools.

What about Giorgio's degree?

Except -

Except what?

- Persons of patriotic and Fascist merit. - You're a party member.

Yes, but that's not enough.

Don't laugh, stupid! You'll have to quit school.

Come on!

You may clear.

[ SPEAKING FRENCH ] I forgot to say...

no more servants of the Aryan race.

[ SPEAKING FRENCH ] No more servants?

[ SPEAKING ITALIAN ] Apparently.

How will we manage?

We'll manage. We'll manage somehow.

- May I? - Yes, Father.

What is that?

"19th Century Europe"

- Is it interesting? - Quite.

Let me read it after you.

Look,

I understand how you feel,

but you have to admit...

we're not so badly off here.

Granted: no more mixed marriages.

That's actually not too -

No telephone listings, no public schools...

and that, I do agree, is serious.

No military service. And yes, that's bad too.

No obituaries in the newspapers, and now ...

no servants.

But apart from that... you'll admit we can still live,

move about, own property.

In effect, be a citizen.

Third-class.

Third-class, if you will, but still a citizen who can...

enjoy his basic rights.

Such as?

There have always been few enough rights

for anyone.

We weren't the first to be persecuted. That is true.

But we all kept quiet because it didn't affect us.

Nevertheless...

I don't think you should keep yourself so isolated...

or refuse to come to the telephone.

It's bad ... very bad for you to segregate yourself.

For your poor brother and sister too...

because, naturally, they imitate you.

Like giving up the Tennis Club.

They haven't expelled you.

Nor me from the Chamber of Commerce.

Don't you see, good God, that you're playing into the hands...

of the very people who want us to stop being...

Italians!

Papa...

I have been expelled from the Tennis Club.

Who are those two people?

My mother and father.

Don't stop. Please don't let us disturb you.

Do go on playing.

Good afternoon!

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon!

Still at it? I haven't played yet!

I'll just watch this time.

I feel you're not really interested in men.

That's true.

In your case, at any rate.

What don't you like about me?

My friendship with your brother, perhaps?

May I also speak quite frankly?

- Please do. Frankness - - Is your motto, we know.

The main thing is you're too frank... and therefore inevitably ...

- How shall I put it... - Vulgar.

Precisely.

Secondly -

Secondly, you're too much the industrious Lombard...

too much a Communist...

and, finally...

too hairy.

Well done, Désirée!

- You played for three hours. Who won? - Désirée.

I've got something to show you.

- When? - Later, when we're alone.

So many youngsters!

My uncles and my grandmother.

Micòl!

Micòl, come along, your uncles are here.

This is a friend of Alberto.

Delighted.

Alberto has often spoken about you.

Please do come to visit us properly another time.

Did you get too hot?

A little.

You should be careful.

Was it hot in Bologna, uncle?

Oh, yes!

Thirty degrees in the shade.

Here one can breathe.

You were on a consultation?

That's it. A consultation. Yes.

How did Uncle Federico happen to go along with you?

Since being forced out of his railroad post...

he has nothing to do ... the lucky fellow!

And he enjoys driving.

- How are you? - Fine.

Just a little...

tired.

Are you sleeping well?

Not well.

Surely it's not going to rain?

It's raining!

Are you coming with me?

Let's go.

Micòl...

That crazy girl!

See there?

That's where we had our gym lessons.

And the car I used to go to school in.

Do you recognise that?

Beautiful as ever. Only the flowers are missing!

No. Perotti often puts them in, even if no one really uses it any more.

He only drives Granny around the garden in it.

Perotti still works here - in spite of the new laws?

Isn't it risky - if they find out?

- No, it's a secret. - Sorry.

Papa's a big donor to government for the colonies.

Who knows where this will all end?

Get in.

It seems only yesterday that you came to the synagogue in it.

How long ago that was!

The few times we went, I'd look for you.

Giorgio,

Don't you like it better now?

- Why? - Why?

Because we can stay here by ourselves...

with no one to scold us, for one thing!

Children are always prisoners of grown-ups.

I mean... I prefer to feel I'm a woman.

What about you? Would you rather still be a child?

No, of course not. But -

So many "buts"!

Micòl...

- Micòl, wait! - No, it's getting late!

- But it's raining! - Oh, only a little!

You know the way to the gate?

Of course you do - you came that way.

Goodbye.

Telephone us sometime.

Defend your Queen!

It's no use. You're too good for me!

Indeed...

What's so funny?

- I was thinking... - About what?

I was thinking...

of Gladys in Milan...

and wondering -

What?

Whether you ever slept with her or not.

- It's been three years now. - No.

I didn't even find her at all attractive.

Then what made you act so mysteriously, even jealously...

over some common dancing girl?

Well -

And I was so full of scruples!

The philosopher Maritain says you Jews are difficult to understand.

Well - it's quite true. You're so very complicated.

Come on.

Did you ever go to a brothel?

Did you?

Me? But of course!

- Micòl, how pretty and chic you are! - I wish!

Our uncles are dining and sleeping here.

He's dining here too.

And sleeping?

No, not sleeping.

Yes?

I'll telephone you.

Tomorrow morning.

Goodbye.

Good night.

Who was it?

Giorgio.

I've decided not to stay. We'll play another time.

Why?

- Good night. - Do stay ... to make Alberto happy.

If you stay, I might even apologise.

Apologise for what?

Good night.

Goodbye.

Will you telephone me?

Yes, I will.

- You really will telephone? - Alberto.

Mama...

She's in the kitchen ironing your coat.

Mama!

- Hurry! Hurry! - Dear boy, I've only got two hands!

Someone at the door!

Who is it?

Me, Maria.

- Did anyone see you? - Who saw you?

Carlino. But he minds his own business. He won't talk.

I told her to come earlier, but she lives so far away.

You know it's unwise.

She's only here a few hours.

But she's here.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Anyway, let's not tell your father. He'd be worried.

All right. Bye!

- Hello. May I come in? - Of course.

Whom do you want to see?

Signor Alberto.

Not likely today.

He's in bed with a temperature. He got drenched in the rain.

And the young lady?

She's not here. She's gone.

Gone?

- Where? - To Venice...

With her uncles. They all left less than an hour ago.

She left no message for me?

- The back table is free. - Thank you.

Excuse me, but the headmaster told me that you can't stay here.

You mean... I have to change table?

Not change table. You need to leave.

Why?

Don't ask me!

I want to see the headmaster.

- I can't... - Go and get him!

Tell him I'm coming to see him.

I'm sorry, dear boy. I'm so terribly sorry. But it's not up to me.

Instructions are instructions.

- If I could - - If you could -

Personally, I'd be delighted for a talented young man like you -

As your father's old friend - With your brilliant literary future -

By the way, how is the poetry? Still writing?

No.

Listen.

I...

Be patient. I have -

Yes, I know. You have a family.

All Italy has a family.

- He's sorry. He has a family. - I understand. Poor fellow.

I know it wasn't up to him.

- How is Alberto? - So-so.

Hello!

Ah... Hello!

- He's come here to study. - Oh, good. Well done, well done!

- What's he doing here? - Studying.

Good, good.

What's he doing here?

Studying, Mama.

Good!

There you are: your table, your books.

- What's your degree on? - The poetry of Enrico Panzacchi.

Fine choice. Very interesting.

One of Carducci's school?

Yes.

I think you'll find we have everything the library has...

though we're more selective.

The major works are all here.

Thank you.

Is it true you have some unpublished works by Carducci?

I'll show them to you one day. I'll be just through here.

If you need anything - coffee, lemonade...

a bit of advice - just call me.

Thank you.

There they are, the fortunates!

- Who? - The private pupils.

They're easy to spot. They're different.

What's happening in Ferrara?

Have you seen anyone?

When am I coming back?

Tomorrow, if I could.

I must finish my thesis first.

Surely by Passover. When is it this year?

No, I can't any sooner.

It's like a century since I saw you.

What's wrong?

Why, nothing, Micòl.

I'm fine, I assure you.

I long to have you back here.

That's true,

but there's no reason for you to worry.

I've had the X-rays.

No, nothing new.

I said there's nothing new.

Shall I telephone tomorrow?

If you like.

All right.

I promise.

- Where are all these troops going? - To their regiments. Then who knows?

- Want some newspapers? - Magazines?

I'll wait and read the French ones tomorrow.

I think there's a seat over here.

Wait!

No, this way!

- There! - Ernesto!

Try to get some sleep tonight, won't you, please?

No, I want to be awake crossing the French border.

Don't spend too much money. We can't send much money abroad.

So put it away safely and be very careful.

Goodbye.

I'm only going to school, not to war!

- Got everything? - Yes, everything.

Goodbye!

Who can tell, who knows well

what is the meaning of One?

One... God who dwells in heaven.

Who can tell, who knows well

What is the meaning of Two?

Two, the tablets of Moses.

One was, One is,

One forever, One shall be

One God who dwells in heaven.

Who can tell, who knows well,

What is the meaning of Three?

Our own patriarchs are Three.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Two, the tablets of Moses.

One was, One is,

One forever, One shall be

One God who dwells in heaven.

Who can tell, who knows well

What is the meaning of Four?

Our own patriarchs are Four.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Who is it?

Who was it?

No one.

That happens to me too, at night.

Every night. I go to pick up the telephone and nobody answers.

What do they want? Who are they?

Hello!

Hey... Alberto!

Did you just telephone, and then not speak?

No, never mind. Someone just did, and wouldn't talk.

What?

A surprise?

What kind of surprise?

Look, can't you at least give me a hint?

Come on! How mysterious!

Fine, fine. I'll be right over.

One God who dwells in heaven.

Giorgio!

Micòl!

Giorgio!

Micòl!

Hello!

- I'm so glad to see you again! - When did you come?

This afternoon, with my uncles.

I'm sorry.

Why should you apologise?

It's I who called you here. It's my fault.

What lovely snow!

It never snows in Venice, not at all.

If I had heard about it -

What's this?

I'm engaged. Didn't you know?

I'm not really! Can't you tell I'm joking?

It's a Passover gift from Alberto.

Come on, they'll be worrying about us.

Wait.

- Nothing. - Did you like the surprise?

Did you like it?

It was nice of him to come right over. Maybe he guessed.

I was curious, I must say.

But there's another surprise...

That one I can guess. You got your degree. Good for you!

No need for praise. I made it, but without honours.

The German professor, a brute of a Nazi, had it in for me.

Why, he even conducted his exams in Nazi uniform!

- Thank you! - We have guests.

- Happy Passover! - Sit down here by me.

Giorgio, nice surprise!

- Come sit near me. - Oh, Giorgio, at last!

Why don't you come more often? Alberto is so alone.

I'm glad you're here this Passover.

- [ GERMAN ] Good evening. - [ ITALIAN ] Good evening.

Sir, I was so pleased to get Alberto's invitation.

I didn't even know Micòl had come back.

Fortunately our Micòl is home again. It's so sad without her.

Behave, boys! I can't breathe like this!

I'm sorry. Alberto's told us so much about you.

They're childhood friends. How's the thesis going?

You haven't used our library lately.

After Passover I'll be there again.

Will your thesis be ready by June?

Who knows?

You should get it done... before they issue a decree

that now literature too...

is Aryan.

Such a lovely glass. What's it for?

My daughter brought it from Venice.

Apparently...

so she says, it can predict the future.

Just a piece of fun!

What has it said?

All sorts of things.

First, we asked if I'd get my degree,

and it said 'no'.

Second... whether Micòl will marry.

To this, the answer wasn't clear.

Third, it said war is coming.

A long war ... painful for everyone, not just for us.

We're social outcasts!

But finally it will end...

in total victory for the forces of good.

Yes?

It's the young man.

Come on in.

Micòl.

Giorgio.

Come nearer...

Don't worry - I don't have flu. It's just a cold.

Sit down here.

We must talk.

What are you reading?

Cocteau. Very chic!

But nothing like those great books of our childhood...

whenever we came down with the flu!

"The Three Musketeers", "Twenty Years After".

Do you remember? "War and Peace" ... !

Those were real novels!

Even when it comes to "chic", they were better.

This room is so different from what I imagined.

How are you?

So-so.

Listen, Giorgio...

I'm sorry to hurt you.

Terribly sorry.

On the other hand...

Let's try not to ruin our beautiful childhood memories.

Look, I've done my very best.

As soon as I noticed the bad turn our relationship was taking...

the growth of something false and wrong...

and very dangerous... you have to admit it...

I went away.

If I stayed in Venice so long...

it was on your account.

You must face it.

No. It's not possible!

But why?

Why isn't it possible?

No... no...

No. Stop it!

No. Please, don't! No!

Stop it! Someone may come in!

Behave yourself!

Get up, please. I can't breathe.

What's the point? It's utterly useless.

Useless?

Why is it useless?

Why don't you go in there?

You're all flushed. Rinse your face.

Who is it?

It's Jor. Let him in.

Jor!

Come here!

Come on!

Jump.

Sit... Come on... On the bed...

Be quiet.

Lie down. There, that's a good dog!

That's a good dog.

Who was that?

And now, please leave.

Shall I telephone tomorrow?

No, we mustn't telephone any more.

And best not to come back.

Never?

Please.

It's much better for both of us, believe me.

Farewell.

Farewell.

Giorgio?

- Still awake? - Yes, Father.

I'm up late tonight also.

I felt like taking a walk. Too many people during the day.

Why are you still awake? Anything wrong?

No, nothing.

- You saw Ernesto's letter? - Yes.

How would you like to visit him in Grenoble for a few days?

We must take him some money before it's too late.

Too late for what?

Nothing. No point in delaying, that's all.

I could leave tomorrow.

No, it takes a few days to get a French visa.

Besides, to raise the money...

I have to sell our securities. We must be cautious.

They're quick to accuse us. And they have lots of imagination.

The French visa is no problem?

But will they let me out?

Why not?

We've not reached that point yet.

A change will do you good, to leave Ferrara for a while.

- Good night. - Good night, Father.

With all the 19- and 20-year-olds they could draft...

why do they come after us?

I've done my share. Eighteen months in Ethiopia,

malaria and dysentery included.

Get someone else now!

Try to get some sleep.

- Where are we? - We just passed Novara.

You're all right working at Fiat. But some of us actually have to fight!

No, we're not safe.

At Mirafiore they've been called up too.

All I want is to stay in Italy.

Anything but Africa, after what I saw there.

We really used poisonous gas in Africa?

We certainly did!

Macaroni, vive la liberté!

What a superb beard! How are you?

Fine! How about you

and Mother, Father and Fanny?

Fine! We're all fine.

So many soldiers.

- Do they expect war to break out? - Yes.

A lot of us Italians are here now. Levi from Turin, Segre from Trieste,

Piperno from Rome.

All of them engineering students. But you'll soon meet them.

In Italy, they think France and England will come to an agreement at the last moment.

The Italians know nothing.

You can't think when you don't know.

For us, what is there to look forward to now?

I don't know.

They talk a lot about the Stuka.

They call it the "victory plane".

I bet it's nothing new.

May I have the salt?

What's that number on your arm?

I'll tell you later.

It was done at Dachau.

Do they talk about Dachau in Italy?

- No. - No?

What a pity.

What is Dachau?

It's a hotel in the woods.

A hundred chalets, all rooms without baths... a single lavatory...

surrounded by barbed wire.

The service is provided by the SS.

Instead of tagging our luggage,

they brand numbers on our flesh...

as a souvenir of their hospitality.

The guests at Dachau are Jews, Communists...

Socialists like me, dissidents of all varieties.

In other words...

those whom the Nazis call the dregs of the human race.

I got out alive...

because I'm a coward. I told them I had become a Nazi.

I'm sorry. My brother didn't know about any of this. He had no idea.

So now he knows.

You really want to go back?

Yes.

I have too much going on there. I can't leave it all behind.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Ernesto.

Bruno...

Giorgio...

It's been ages! I wondered where you were.

I've missed you at the Finzi-Continis.

Oh, I've stopped going.

And Micòl?

What's she doing?

She's the same as ever:

full of energy, carefree.

But not Alberto. He never leaves his room now.

He'd like to see you.

And Adriana? How is she?

That's all over.

Mixed marriages are forbidden.

She's engaged to a boy from Bologna, I was told.

It may be best for both of us.

More so for her than me.

- Goodbye. - Let's get together soon.

Yes, let's.

By the way, you haven't been there for a long time.

Why? Women?

Did they ask about me?

Alberto did, several times.

And Micòl?

What's Micòl doing?

She translates English.

She plays tennis and never goes out.

As if only the garden were safe. Like her brother.

What shall we do? Go out?

Would you rather go to a club, or the cinema?

What a clown! Low thugs!

Stop it!

I'd like to know what's so funny!

- Bastards! - Get out of here. Are you a Jew or what?

If I ever catch you -

You're a real idiot.

You can thank your God... that idiot didn't know you really are a Jew!

Great shot! You look like you know how to have fun -

How so? Want to find out?

You're tempting me...

Back home they say...

"Big nose and dark hair, but maybe nothing down there."

What do I owe you?

Beginner's luck! Let's see you do it again.

Please be sure you get it good and level.

- Giorgio. - I'm sorry, Micòl.

Forgive me for disobeying.

Today, I'm the one who has something to say.

Have you been in Ferrara all along?

More or less.

Once, I rode past the wall on my bike.

I saw you playing tennis.

You and Malnate.

You know, he and I have become quite friendly.

That's nice.

But you said you have something to say.

What is it?

I just wanted to see you again.

That's all.

I love you.

It's never happened to me before.

And I know it never will again.

But I don't love you!

Lovers have a drive to overwhelm one another.

But the way we are, alike as two drops of water...

how could we ever overwhelm

or tear each other to pieces?

No.

It would be like making love with a brother.

Like with Alberto.

You and I are not normal people.

For the two of us... what counts more

than the possession of things -

how shall I put it? -

is the remembrance of things...

the memory of things.

Isn't that so?

I wonder.

It may simply be that...

you don't like me physically. That's all.

Don't talk such nonsense.

There's no connection.

Yes, there is!

"That is fishing for compliments."

And you know it.

Unless -

Unless what?

Unless there's someone else.

There's absolutely no one.

Who could there be?

Why ask me?

It could be anyone.

What else can I say, Micòl?

I can't even persuade you to let me love you.

I'm so helpless.

If anything should happen to you...

the fault would be mine.

I'll never come here again.

I'll never come again to this garden.

Il Duce will make an address in one hour...

to the entire nation.

Italians... Fascists...

you will hear the announcement of a historic event.

Enough! Enough!

What is it? What's wrong?

Italy has declared war! Il Duce is going to speak!

Well, say something!

Giorgio? Is that you?

Why haven't I seen you?

Yes, let's get together.

No, Sunday's too late. I'll be gone.

I've been called up.

Yes, they caught me.

First to Bologna. Then who knows?

I only hope I'm not sent to Russia.

All right?

I'll see you later. Bye.

Why don't you visit them?

- Why haven't you gone? - I can't.

Are things that bad with Micòl?

It really was a great disappointment.

If you knew how fond she is of you...

always speaks well of you.

And Alberto likes and respects you too.

I have no use...

for their fondness or their respect.

I think you're wrong.

Whatever happened between you and Micòl...

your friendship is worth saving.

Excuse me for asking...

but did you ever even kiss her?

Once.

Yes, I did, just once.

Let's not talk about it.

At a time like this...

my broken heart is absurd.

Now you're leaving too.

Will you write to me?

We'll see each other again.

Whenever I'm in Bologna, I'll spend Sundays in Ferrara.

Gosh, it's midnight! I must go or I'll never get up tomorrow!

Good luck!

- You too! - I'll need it.

Goodbye!

Goodbye!

Enjoy life!

London speaking.

Soviet forces are fighting magnificently in defence of Moscow.

The Nazi forces

are encountering stiff resistance.

Stalin -

Is that you, Giorgio?

Yes, Father.

You know what time it is?

2:25.

I went for a walk.

- With your friend from Milan? - Yes.

What's the news?

The Germans are near Moscow.

You think they can be driven back? I'm not sure they can.

I think they can.

But if they fail...

then it really is the end.

Look, Giorgio...

how are things with Micòl?

Forgive me for bringing up this subject...

but your mother and I...

have been aware.

Things are so bad...

They couldn't be any worse.

It's all over.

Oh, yes, I know

It is very painful.

But in the long run, it's best.

You really wanted to be engaged?

Engaged, and maybe marry...

at a time like this?

If I may say so...

as families go,

the Finzi-Continis are not for us.

They're not our sort. They're different.

They don't even seem Jewish.

Micòl - maybe that's what attracted you to her.

That she's above you socially.

It'll pass.

You'll get over it.

And a lot sooner than you think.

I can imagine what you're feeling now.

Yet, in a way, I rather envy you.

In life,

in order to understand... really to understand the world...

one must die at least once.

So it's better to die young,

when there's still time left... to recover and live again.

When one is old, it's much worse.

Why is that?

There's no time to start again.

And our generation has made so many, many mistakes.

A few months,

and it will seem as if none of this had ever happened to you.

You may even end up ... being glad.

You'll feel richer, one might say. More mature.

Let's hope so.

I'm happy all that came out... and I got this off my chest.

How about getting some sleep?

You need it.

I'll try to close my eyes a few minutes too.

- Good night. - Good night, father.

Go up to Alberto.

No, Father.

I couldn't lie to him.

Young man, try your luck!

No, thanks.

Hey, I remember you!

Before this stinking war started...

you came with your friend - my friend too.

Malnate?

Yes, Malnate.

He was killed in Russia.

And you - how did you dodge it?

They didn't want me. I'm a Jew.

A Jew!

Get out of here! Go away!

Why?

Why?!

They're hunting Jews. They'll grab you anywhere!

Seriously! Go away!

An eight-hour patrol is too long!

Signor Lattes?

- Yes? - Kindly come with us.

- To the police? - Just a formality. A few minutes.

Please.

Stop!

Stop!

There he goes! That way!

Stop!

Open up.

To my Micòl, Alberto.

This way!

Go in the other rooms.

Finzi-Contini, Prof. Ermanno.

Here.

Finzi-Contini, Olga.

Here.

Arton, Regina in Herrera.

Finzi-Contini, Alberto.

He died six months ago.

Finzi-Contini, Micol.

"Micòl".

- Ascoli, Levi. - Here.

- Lattes, Magda. - Here.

- Lattes, Luigi. - Here.

- Ancona, Olga. - Here.

- Ascoli, Elisa. - Here.

- Tempora, Da- - This is for Montanari. - Yes.

Let's go. Move. Move.

- Let them through. - Tempora, Viola. - Here.

All who've been called and the newcomers -

Take this to Montanari.

Follow me.

Line up.

Please.

Let's go!

Faster, faster!

Stop!

Forward!

Stop.

Make room...

please.

Inside, please.

Come on!

Finzi-Contini, have you finished yet?

Yes.

Goodbye.

Micòl...

Micòl...

You're here too.

We're all here, but they've separated us.

They took me last night.

What about Giorgio? Giorgio??

No, not him. Just me.

Giorgio, my wife and Fanny should be far away by now...

and with any luck they made it.

Thank God!

- Where will they take us? - Who knows?

Pray to God they at least let us stay together, Micòl...

those of us from Ferrara.

"El Malei Rachamim" (Jewish prayer for the dead)