All language subtitles for Massacre.In.Rome.1973.720p.BluRay.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

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This is Radio Rome.
EIAR, Rome One station.

Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX

Newsflash. War bulletin.

The German High Command
has issued the following communiqué:

'At the Cassino front, German tank
corps victoriously counterattacked...

... to break our
line of defense.

The enemy is now using negro troops
and other colored mercenaries...

... in their vain
attempts to advance'.

We have broadcast
the war bulletin...

... issued by the High
Command of the German Forces.

On the political front, it has been learned
from neutral Stockholm and Lisbon sources...

... that the so-called Allies are
becoming increasingly divided.

The Americans have accused the English
of starving Europe.

Churchill has been accused
by British opposition leaders...

... of becoming a slave of Wall Street,
and of Jewish financial interests.

We remind our listeners
that curfew falls at 7 p.m.

Starting tomorrow,
bread rations will be reduced to...

Fuck you!

ADAPTED FROM ROBERT KATZ'S BOOK
"DEATH IN ROME"

This is where you
should start feeling fear.

No matter how carefully
you cut the dust away...

... you inevitably remove
some painting with it...

... destroyed by the
edge of your scraper.

And the loss of even an infinitesimal bit
of a true work of art must scare you.

So, tremble as much
as you like...

... but when you're ready, cut
decisively, sure of every stroke.

No.

The Father General is here,
with two other gentlemen.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1944.

Good morning, Father Pancrazio.

- Good morning, Father Antonelli.
- Good morning.

Good morning.
Please.

Father Antonelli, there seems to have been
a regrettable misunderstanding.

- Our friends...
- May I?

My dear professor,
last year you were entrusted...

... with the restoration of Masaccio's
Crucifixion here at the Institute.

- Two years ago.
- Two years ago.

It was displayed last month
at the Staatliche Museum in Berlin.

Really? I didn't know.

Unfortunately, something rather
disagreeable has occurred.

One of our experts,
one of Germany's very best...

... seems to be of the
opinion that it was a...

A fake.

Strange...

A very good one to be sure,
but of slightly more recent vintage.

According to the experts,
the panel itself is early 15th century...

... when Masaccio
was in Florence.

But chromatographic analysis
has revealed...

... that this Masaccio was painted
no more than two years ago.

Father Antonelli, do you paint?

May I know the name
of this expert?

Ziegler of Stuttgart.
You know him, right?

Only by name.
One of the greatest art forgers in Europe.

Then we may assume that
he's an authority on the subject.

I've been working in restoriation
for many years.

It wouldn't be
the first time I heard...

... of an original denounced
as a forgery, and vice-versa.

Let us simply say...

... an error was made on the
part of whoever sent the painting.

He mistook the copy
for the original.

I sent the painting, I packed it myself
when I was ordered to ship it to Germany.

Then it will be easy for you
to prove its authenticity.

I fervently hope so.

The people of Germany
have taken Masaccio to their heart.

It would be cruel to disillusion them,
would it not Father?

Of course. You will...

... you will look into it
immediately. Will you not?

It was a mistake...

Yes, and every man
is entitled to a mistake.

Only once, however.
- I shall do everything possible.

The impossible too,
let us hope.

Church has always thrived
on doing the impossible.

Do you know
who are those people, Father?

Mom!

Mom...

On the 17th of March
you went into a hiding place

... near the Risorgimento Bridge
to remove a wireless transmitter...

... which you used for
contacting the headquarters...

... of the American Fifth Army and the
Partisan Movement in the Lazio region.

Nothing to say?

What would you do
in my place?

What would you do in mine?

- I'd have you shot.
- Before I talked?

I didn't think of that.
But then, I'm not a policeman.

- You're requested at High Command.
- Carry on, Schultz.

Hello?

Yes, yes, Father.
It's Father Pancrazio.

You can be sure he wants to talk
about Florentine art.

We simply cannot
stand in their way.

You must also realize that Colonel Kappler
went out of his way and did his best.

If he has to come back tomorrow,
he will to do his worst.

They will take away
everything.

Down to the very last painting,
and the very last restorer.

- Including yourself.
- Sure, I know this.

So, we sit here like sheep,
watching Rome being plundered...

... in a way that would
put the Vandals to shame.

I know, my son, I know.

But you are aware of the mission
the Holy Father has given me.

It is one of extreme delicacy:
Negotiations with the Germans...

... at the highest level, for
the safeguarding of all Rome.

I'm asking you to choose
the lesser of two evils.

Are you asking me
or is this an order?

An order, Father Antonelli.
An order.

I thank you, my son.
May Jesus Christ be praised.

May He be praised forever.

What's next?

Should we barricade ourselves
inside the Institute...

... and say: "Come and take
it if you have the courage"?

If everybody were ready to resist
that way, I'd say yes.

The trouble is, people are exhausted,
and disillusioned.

Then we'll put up
passive resistance.

No. I think it's about time...

... Italians find themselves a national
conscience after 20 years of dictatorship.

- Kappler, good of you to come.
- You've sent for me, General.

The Duce's new Minister for the Interior,
His Excellency...

Guido Buffarini Guidi.

It's said he's the most hated man
in Italy.

Hated and feared.

As we say in Italy:
Many enemies, much honor.

In that event, Your Excellency,
I'm glad to hear...

... we're not the only
ones the Italians hate.

My dear Police Chief Caruso!
Good of you to come.

Kappler, His Excellency Buffarini
came to talk to me...

... about the difficulties you have raised
about the celebrations for tomorrow.

The 25th anniversary of the foundation
of the Fascist Party.

On the contrary.
I raised no difficulties whatsoever...

... providing that the
festivities are held only...

- ... behind closed doors.
- Which means...

... you have prevented a parade
through the streets of Rome...

... by the members of our
new Fascist Republican Party.

I assure you
I did nothing of the sort.

I simply pointed out that
this is hardly the time...

... to provoke the citizens of
Rome with a demonstration...

... which they'll find
unpopular to say the very least.

Such talk is inadmissible,
Colonel!

All Colonel Kappler meant is
that he doesn't think...

... that a public demonstration
could come off without incident.

Our men will safeguard
law and order.

And who will be left
to do the parading?

Would Your Excellencies be kind enough
to listen to a list...

... of raids and acts of sabotage
committed in the last ten days...

... against the German armed
forces and our Fascist allies?

We are all aware that
there are some criminal elements...

Yes, yes, they're ingenious,
audacious and well organized...

... and have a strategy. I know.

- What strategy?
- Block our supply lines...

... turn Rome into a hostile
territory, make us withdraw.

- Communists!
- Communists, Socialists, Anarchists...

Christian-Democrats, Liberals
and Monarchists.

Monarchists? Monarchy is dead.
The king fled with the traitors.

They will not dare attack
a military formation.

Besides,
they are divided gangs.

Colonel Dollmann and I
have good reason to believe...

... that on the contrary there
exists a military council...

... with representatives
from every political party...

... except yours, of course.

But we are talking about a parade,
Your Excellency.

There are no military formations in Rome.
It's an open city.

Rome is swarming
with German troops.

Whole divisions pass under the Pope's window
every day on their way to the front.

You call that a neutral city?

I do not call it so, indeed.
Your leaders do, and so does your Pope.

Therefore,
Rome is politically neutral.

Besides, there have been
no troop movements for a week.

A column of SS troops has marched past
my hotel every day for the past five days.

Who are they, Kappler?

The SS Bozen 11th Company,
sent here from the Tyrol quite recently.

Local security is considered by all,
including His Holiness to be inadequate.

I've therefore ordered the 11th Company
to march daily through the centre...

... for psychological reasons.

But that too will be canceled
for tomorrow.

To march on the day of Fascism's
glorious anniversary...

... would be
useless provocation.

No one would dare attack
our troops!

General, I'm forced to insist.

Are you in charge or is this...
Colonel?

I am in charge! I am the
Commander of Rome!

And there will be no parade tomorrow!
It's canceled!

Celebrate whatever you want,
but do it indoors!

- Kappler!
- General.

- Sit down.
- Yes, sir.

You don't like our allies
very much, do you?

Are you asking my opinion, sir?

Politics is not strictly my strength,
but I would say that Fascism... is dead.

It must disappear so that we can hold onto
the last vestiges of our prestige here in Italy.

This means
the elimination of Mussolini...

... and if I were ordered, I
would know how to go about it.

You say this?
You, who organized his rescue!

Our opinions, General,
are rarely heard.

- More often, we do as we are told.
- Yes! You will do as you are told!

The Fascist parade is canceled,
but our SS column continues to patrol.

My boys can take care
of themselves, right?

Tomorrow, they march as usual.
Tomorrow, they march!

Tomorrow, General,
as usual.

Elena will remain here,
carrying the raincoat.

Paolo will be here.

The rest here, here and here.

When you get the signal, Paolo,
light the fuse.

Walking, Elena will pass you
the raincoat and escape here.

They'll be there
at 2 o'clock p.m., sharp.

Paolo, remember, you have 45 seconds
to 'round the corner.

The fuse burns down in 50.

You can make it in 40...
without running.

It's been tried out
at least a hundred times.

- Fuses don't always burn the same.
- We know that.

Any questions?

This is Radio London. Good evening.
I'm Colonel Stevens.

Today, Mr. Hitler
ordered the occupation of Hungary...

... another of his former allies. He
would of course have preferred...

What has happened to Hungary today,
happened to Italy yesterday.

But we are confident
that Italy will soon succeed...

... in overcoming its
present difficulties.

Act now, my Italian friends,
to help yourselves...

... and the Allies will
help you. Goodnight.

Now, Dollmann,
you've really ruined my appetite...

... by repeating those ghost
stories you hear on the BBC.

I'm not the only one.

They tell me there's not a single radio silent
when this Colonel Stevens is on the air.

Romans love the way
the English speak Italian.

Do not delude yourself,
my friend.

I speak to Himmler every morning
on the telephone.

Berlin is being bombed
every night...

... the Russians move west
on a 1000 mile front...

... everyone expects the Allies
to invade France any day now.

The Third Reich is sinking,
my dear friend.

And we must be sure not to sink with it.
Is that what you're saying, Dollmann?

I don't need to make
long distance calls to know the score...

... I just keep my eyes
open here in Rome.

- And you don't like what you see.
- I love Rome, Dollmann.

I love its light,
its burnt, decadent colors...

...
its crumbling stone.

- In spite of the war.
- Perhaps because of the war.

We are Rome's masters,
we control it.

For the moment, at least.

It's getting harder.
Yesterday our tribunal, a war tribunal...

... acquitted three Italians,
two men and a woman...

... who a couple of weeks ago
would have been sentenced to death.

Those Wehrmacht gentlemen
have also listened to Radio London.

They started reading out lists
of so-called war criminals.

I suppose it must be somewhat frightening
to hear one's name in those lists.

You frightened, Dollmann?

My name hasn't been mentioned yet.
And you, Kappler?

I'm only afraid of disorder.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23.

- Giovanni?
- Yes?

I'm looking for Father
Pietro Antonelli...

... director of the Institute of Restoration.
- That's me.

From Colonel Kappler.

Excuse me.

"I understand that your Institute
is short of materials...

... used for artwork restoration.

I've managed to find
a can of turpentine.

They tell me
it's the right quality for your work.

You needn't have any scruples,
this isn't 'plunder'.

If in the meantime you have managed
to find the Masaccio...

... you may give it
to Captain Priebke...

... unless, of course, you would prefer
to deliver it to me in person, formally...

which would give me
the pleasure of seeing you again."

GESTAPO AND SECURITY POLICE
ROME HEADQUARTERS

Have a seat, please.

- There's the uniform.
- We'd better go, or we'll be late.

The Germans are never late.
Here's the raincoat.

LONG LIVETHE DUCE

These are all the men
I can spare, Caruso.

They should help you maintain order
on this happy occasion.

Thank you Colonel,
you are a true friend of Italy.

We are all
true friends of Italy.

We Germans,
the Pope, you Fascists...

... the Allies and the
Partisans. All true friends of Italy.

Poor Italy...

I want out! Bastards!
Get us out!

- Communists...
- Racists! Racists!

Italians.

I won't talk!

- Long live freedom!
- I want his name.

I'm sorry I've kept you waiting,
Father.

- Only a few minutes.
- Thank you for coming.

Thank you for the gift.

Ah, it's Colonel Dollmann
you should thank for the gift.

He... we have great friends,
in the Gallery of Modern Art.

- Incredible.
- Really? Why?

No, I didn't... I meant that
the people of the Gallery...

... told me they
didn't have any left.

Well, probably you didn't offer them
anything in exchange.

I see you've had this
all wrapped up ready to be sent.

- If you'd like to check...
- No, no, there's no need.

I'm... extremely sorry
to be depriving you of it.

I'd be extremely sorry
if it were destroyed.

- Half of Europe has been destroyed.
- Exactly.

Art is the only means
for real communication...

... from one nation to another.
From one generation to another.

Only beauty
can save the world.

Only beauty,
kindness and justice.

- A trinity older than that of the Church.
- Yes.

- Would you like to sit down?
- Thank you.

I saw you looking at that vase
when I came in.

I found it in a bomb crater
after an Allied air raid.

- So now war serves archeology?
- Well, yes...

Do you think
it could be Etruscan?

Perhaps.

More likely, it was brought in from Egypt
by Phoenician sailors.

There are some lines
from Homer:

"Skilled Sidon chisellers,
with their craft, created it;

Phoenician sailors...
brought it over the... over...

... mist-veiled seas, to
display it in foreign ports."

- Right.
- That's surprising.

- A priest who reads Homer.
- I read, when I have the time.

So do I, so do I.

We have something
in common, Father.

We both read Homer,
we both follow our superiors' orders...

... and... we both wear
our uniforms honorably.

No, this is not a uniform,
Colonel.

You're a soldier of the Church,
Father.

Your hypothesis, I say yours,
but it's shared by many others...

... is that the normal
condition of society is peace.

I believe that the normal
condition of society is war.

You call this slaughter normal?
I call it the madness of wild animals.

And if your Church
were to be attacked by wild animals?

- I'd defend her.
- You see, Father, we are very much alike.

Great religions rise and fall
because of the deeds of men like you.

Nations and civilizations
are defended by men like me.

I'd prefer
they didn't need defending.

And I'd prefer a religion
that didn't need priests.

Well, I'm sorry, Father,
but I have to go.

Very nice of you to come along.
Can I drop you anywhere?

- Thanks, I prefer to walk.
- Yes, I understand.

It's not a good idea to be seen
in the same car as me.

We must be honest with each other, Father.
Whatever happens.

Do you know what Picasso said
when France surrendered?

"The German generals have beaten
the French generals.

I'm a painter. If the German painters
want to take me on, I'm ready for them...

Picasso is boring,
decadent and empty.

- Do you think he would have won?
- He would have won.

The Masaccio.

We'll fatten up the priests,
Hitler said years ago...

... and they'll lead the flock.

It won't be too easy
to fatten up that priest.

ALSO THE WALLS HAVE EARS

- Hey! No parking here!
- Why?

- The Germans pass through here.
- Got it!

Hey! What are you doin' 'round here?
Who the hell are you?

What do you care?

This is my street.

Well, then you pick up the trash.
I'm just passing through.

Where's Emilio?

Oh, he's sick. I'm filling in.

Sick, eh? I had lunch with him...
What've you got in there?

Coffee, flour, cigarettes?

You come and see me
in Piazza Vittorio around 4 o'clock.

- I'll get you something.
- I'll be there, count on it.

Be careful, eh?

Take my advice:
Wear your badge right...

If they don't show up in 15, we call it off.
Pass around.

VICTORY!

Please,
I'm waiting for someone.

Miss...

Nino, come down, I've got a ball!
Come to play!

Let's play here.
Toss me the ball!

Go play go down there,
it's dangerous here!

Are you listening?
I'm telling you to go over there now!

Give me back the ball!

- Stop! It's mine!
- Come here!

- Let me go!
- Get back, now!

Kappler.

I'm coming.

The provocation
was challenged.

- I think you'd better come with me.
- Where?

Via Rasella,
near the Via Veneto.

The 11th Company
has apparently ceased to exist.

Stop firing. Stop firing!

Dobrick!

Well, Dobrick?

I don't know what happened.
It was... I don't know.

- Any civilian casualty?
- There was just us in the street.

All right! Count our dead.

Will you look at that!

Kappler...
Kappler!

Your boys have marched, Mälzer...
They marched!

Kappler!
Revenge, Kappler!

Revenge for those poor boys!

You see Kappler?
You see what they've done to my boys?

Here are the results of your...
security service!

Here, in this filthy street!

Who's behind this?
The British? American spies?

- Italians.
- Italians? That's impossible!

I used to love the Italians, Kappler.
Now I hate them!

- Dobrick! Where's Dobrick?
- Over there.

Dobrick!

Mine this whole street.

I'm going to blow up all these houses.
All of them!

- There are people in these houses, sir.
- You protect the murderers?

No... All the houses go up!
The whole neighborhood!

My boys!
My poor boys!

You'll have to
calm yourself, sir.

For the sake of
the good name of our country.

We are the ones being attacked,
we have the moral advantage!

None of that is important to me,
don't you understand?

Dobrick, follow my orders!

Up...
Keep your hands up!

Up, up!

No, General!
Is that what we're here for?

You are responsible
for everything, Kappler.

- You will pay for this!
- Come away, sir.

This must be reported
to the High Command.

Leave Kappler in control
of the situation here.

What are we to do
with these people, sir?

They will all be shot!

Take them into custody.
Hold them for questioning.

- But, the General's orders, sir...
- He was upset.

I'll take full responsibility.

- But, sir...
- Lieutenant!

Yes sir.

I admire your discretion,
Kappler.

The war is ending, we don't want
our names on the BBC, do we?

It is essential that I speak to
Field Marshal Kesselring!

What? An inspection at the front?
Well, find him!

I must speak to him
at all costs!

First get me General Jodl in Berlin.
Immediately!

- Where's Caruso?
- German headquarters, Excellency.

We must mobilize every man,
anything can happen now.

In the meantime, we must notify Il Duce.
Take this down.

Today, at 2:30 p.m,
a German detachment of the SS...

... while proceeding
up Via Rasella...

Father!

Did you hear the blast?
It seems like a Partisan attack!

Yes, I've heard it.

The Germans are going mad,
swarming, arresting people!

They say
a lot of people were killed.

Go lock the front door.

We didn't want to come here Father,
but Paolo felt sick and so we...

Don't worry, we'll go as soon
as it's dark outside.

Hello?

Yes, I'm alone.

Yes, I've heard it.

Yes, Father. It happened nearby,
in Via Rasella, they say.

I don't know.
If I hear anything I'll call you.

May He be praised forever.

He is furious.
The Führer is furious. Furious!

I've called Berlin.
Jodl spoke to him personally.

They're trying
to get me Kesselring.

Then get me Mackensen.
General Mackensen, idiot!

He wants to blow up the whole block.
House by house.

Just as I've said.

He wants 50 to 1.
50 Italians for every dead German!

He will reconsider.

It's a political matter.

Rome is not the Eastern front.
He'll reconsider.

Besides, for a change,
we are not the wild animals.

Wild animals? We?

General Mackensen!
How are you?

You've heard? Yes.
Yes, one moment, Kappler's here.

- How many dead?
- As of now, 28.

28. But there will be more.

General, I have recommended,
and the Führer himself...

Then you know.

Excessive?
But the Führer himself...

Reconsider, you say.

He wants to speak with you.

Yes, General?

Yes, I once discussed the matter
with General Harster.

We agreed that if reprisals
were called for, we would consider...

... all our male prisoners under
sentence of death or serving life terms.

Yes, sir, if necessary
we would include...

... all those accused of crimes punishable
by death, but not yet tried in a court.

Yes, sir, they would be taken
from our prisons here in Rome.

Thank you, sir.

- I hadn't finished speaking!
- He hung up on me, sir.

Well, what did he say?
How many to one?

He said that
we would be informed...

... when the measures to
be taken had been decided.

I really don't understand you,
Kappler.

Our men are lying in that
stinking street...

... torn apart by...
by those pigs!

And you seem to want to forget
about the whole affair!

We didn't ask to come
to this filthy country!

We came to help,
invited by our allies.

You would see them
go unpunished!

The Romans must be discouraged
from such acts, but...

... reprisals never
stopped anyone.

It was one of the chief causes
of the first World War...

... and it only
produced martyrs.

Reprisals, General, punish nobody
except the victims and their executioners.

So. Now you give me
history lessons, huh?

The reprisal will stop the Italians.
They scare easily.

But you... you have something else
on your mind.

Let us say I have...
a different opinion.

To hell with your opinions!
You will do as I tell you!

- No, sir.
- What?

I will do what you are ordered
to tell me to do.

Marshal Kesselring, General Mälzer
has telephoned four times.

- He says it's urgent.
- Not now.

The situation at the front
is utterly grave.

The Americans are now
in a position to move North.

I don't think we can hold out
more than a couple of months.

We shall continue to prepare
our withdrawal from Rome.

Sir, General Mälzer
has telephoned again.

He says that the Partisans have attacked
a detachment of SS in the centre of the city.

There have been
many casualties.

I see. Thank you.

Shall I call him back?

No, call Berlin, High Command.

Well, Colonel. What was your impression
of the front today?

I'd like to play the Americans' hand,
if only for a day.

I'd walk all over you,
having the equipment they got.

General Jodl for you, sir.

Kesselring speaking.

I see.
Yes?

How many dead? 30?
I lost 400 today alone at Anzio.

But Rome
is the front too, right?

If he's going to stick to that decision,
he must send me everything himself.

I cannot spare neither
a single truck nor a soldier.

Ask him to reconsider.

Yes, that is my answer,
I await yours.

In Rome, the 25th anniversary
of the founding of Fascism...

... was gloriously commemorated
by an imposing ceremony...

... held at the Ministry
of Corporations.

The event, organized by
the Fascist Republican Party...

... had as a guest Carlo Borsani,
undersecretary of Aviation...

... blinded in combat,
gold medal for bravery...

... hero of the Albanian War.

The Regime's great poet,
recalling the historic events...

... of March 23rd, 1919,
Fascisms' fateful day...

- ... said that the glorious Fascist...
- It just isn't possible. Not one word.

I thought a bowl of hot soup
was a good idea.

- Thank you, Giovanni.
- Alas, no bread.

- It doesn't matter.
- There are some blankets in the closet.

- If you don't need me anymore...
- You may go.

A Vatican spokesman has disclosed
that the Holy Father...

... is enjoying perfect health.

He suffers only from the anguish
brought on by the war...

Father, try to understand
our motives.

I can't, Elena.
I'm sorry, but I can't.

During the operation
on the Adriatic coast...

... German forces have
repelled several enemy attacks.

At Anzio, enemy losses are reported
to be much more severe...

... than those
of the German armed forces.

Reports from Tokyo
disclose that...

Nobody's mentioned it yet.
Let's wait for the BBC.

I wonder what the Allies will make of it.
And our King.

This Committee is operating
under Allied directives.

Our King thinks we should sit tight
and wait for his return.

The Hague Convention
provides for reprisals.

Listen Andrea:

A state of war exists
between Italy and Germany.

We attacked an enemy formation
in full combat gear.

In broad daylight,
on our own territory.

I'd like to know
what the Germans are thinking.

If they follow the rules
of the Hague Convention...

... they'll say that if the people
responsible don't come forward...

... they'll execute hostages.

Even 2 or 3 times the number
of German soldiers killed.

They wouldn't dare.
They know Rome would explode.

Let's get one thing straight:

Whatever happens, none of our men
comes forward. No one.

- - But innocent people!
Innocent people lived in Warsaw...

... in Rotterdam, in
London, in Leningrad.

And innocent people, millions of Jews,
are being exterminated in the gas chambers.

Do you seriously believe
that Rome alone should be spared?

Because of the Pope?
I won't accept that.

Neither will millions
of other Italians.

You say the Germans will take reprisals.
Shoot hostages.

Let them try. We'll make
the whole of Rome rise against them.

Giorgio's right.

I have children.

And one day I want them
to be able to say:

My father chose to drown in blood,
rather than live in shit.

I know you've been calling
for hours, General Mälzer...

... but please try to calm
yourself. I understand how you feel.

Perhaps you've lost the habit
of seeing blood.

From now on we must all
get used to the idea...

... that the Partisans are an army too.
Now listen carefully:

I've spoken to Berlin
several times.

The matter has been
thought out more carefully.

Your orders have been dispatched
to you by teletype.

They are to be carried out
accordingly.

These are not my orders,
gentlemen...

... not the Chief of Staff's,
and not High Command's.

What I have here, my friends,
is an order from the Führer himself.

The Führer has reconsidered,
Kappler.

Field Marshal Kesselring argued the case
that the measures proposed were excessive.

I think we can all be proud
that the Field Marshal...

... succeeded in making a honest and
generous effort to exercise humanity.

10 to 1 is hardly the same
as 50 to 1.

It is the Führer's express wish that
the operation is completed in 24 hours.

The official order was dispatched
at 19:00 hours.

It is now a few minutes to midnight.
That means we have...

19 hours and 10 minutes, sir.
May I see the dispatch?

32 of our men are dead.
That means 320 Italians.

Kappler,
you will make up the list.

This order, sir, calls for those
condemned to death...

... and those accused
of serious crimes.

We may not hold enough prisoners
to complete the quota.

I'll leave that for you to resolve.
You're the best judge.

Caruso will help you.

Caruso, you will furnish Kappler
with 80 names, more if he needs them.

80? General, that's impossible.

We have only a few... 10, 15...
We have no way of...

All right, all right...
Let's make it 50. For now.

But, General... couldn't I...

Could I have it in writing,
the request for the 50 names?

Coordinate that with Kappler.

Schultz. How many in the Via Tasso,
sentenced to death?

- Three, sir. Who?
-

A Communist, a spy
and a saboteur.

- How many in the Regina Coeli prison?
- None, sir.

- Life sentences?
- None, sir.

- Any kind of sentence?
- We have several...

- Several? What do you mean by 'several'?
- Sixteen, sir.

Sixteen!

Three and sixteen...

We have 3 men sentenced to death,
and they want 320...

It's impossible.

- Priebke. Sir?
-

Contact the president
of the Military Tribunal.

Wake him if you have to.

I want written authorization
for the 3 and the 16.

- Yes, sir.
- I want a written permission...

... to include all those awaiting
sentence for serious offences.

Get me General Harster,
in Verona.

Yes...

Domizlaf.
Get over to Caruso.

I want the names of all those arrested
in the Via Rasella.

I'll join you there
after I've talked to General Harster.

- Harster?
- Yes, yes, he can help us.

He has jurisdiction over a category
I totally overlooked.

- Go now.
- Right away, Colonel.

Yes, it will be easy
to show their guilt.

General Harster, please.

General Harster? Kappler here, sir.
Kappler, in Rome.

Yes, I've heard.

Look, Kappler,
what do you want me to do?

The important thing
is to complete the list.

If you can't reach
the right figure, take Jews.

Then I have your
absolute authorization, sir?

Thank you.
Good night, sir.

Schultz, count the Jews.
I think they're 57.

57, sir. We have another 8
at the Regina Coeli...

... being held for other reasons,
antifascism and political crimes.

- Add them to the list.
- Aye, sir.

57... 65... 71...

85 plus Caruso's 50
which makes...

... 135, that means
185 to go. Yes?

I've telephoned, sir.
We have full authorization...

- ... from the tribunal's president.
- You heard that, Schultz?

But he refuses responsibility
for those awaiting trial.

How can I...
- He claims it's up to the Chief Justice.

- And? And?
- So I telephoned the Chief Justice...

- Permission granted, sir.
- Good. Good.

- Get it in writing.
- Aye sir.

- Schultz, put this list together.
- Yes, sir.

I'll have to go through
the names very carefully.

First I must get over to Domizlaf,
to Caruso's office.

We shall need every name
we can get.

It's not going to be easy,
for sure.

You realize of course,
this has to be carried out...

... with lightning speed
and the utmost secrecy.

To tell you the truth, sir...

... the boys would much rather get their
hands on the people who really did it.

This doesn't concern us,
Priebke.

Besides, there are security aspects
involved and we must...

... examine them with
the utmost attention.

Anything can happen now,
with the Americans closing in, it could be...

... total chaos.

Could be the end.

Even the end of Rome.

Don't tell me you came to see me
at this hour of night...

... just because Kappler
covets another painting.

No, Father, this time I have not come
to take but to give.

I came at this hour hoping
to keep this meeting secret.

I don't see how these meetings
can be kept secret.

The diplomatic mission
the Holy Father has given me...

... is, well, virtually
public knowledge.

What I'm about to tell you
will remain between you and me.

- You heard about Via Rasella?
- Of course. I have few details.

32 German soldiers were killed.
320 Italians are to be shot in reprisal.

The order has come down
from very high.

We are about to commit an error
which has to be avoided.

Don't misunderstand me.

The fate of 320 Italians
matters little to me...

... compared to the 10 or 15 million
already lost in this war.

But we must be prudent.

A German reprisal will provoke public outrage
and hatred of the most violent kind.

You know tha Rome
is a powder keg...

... and the Partisan Movement is only waiting
for the moment to unite the Resistance.

You said
you came here to give.

Yes, Father.

To give you the name of the only person in
the world who perhaps can avoid this reprisal.

- The Holy Father.
- The Holy Father.

The complicity of at least some
of the people who live in the Via Rasella...

... goes without saying.

Nobody could have planned this outrage
without their support.

And this is all your men
managed to find, Caruso?

We searched all the houses
on the street.

We've found illegal newspapers
and pamphlets...

... speeches by Churchill
and Roosevelt... in English.

- Yes... what else?
- How many have you arrested?

- About 10.
- Get their names. I want them in my list.

- I need them for
mine! They're for mine!

You will give us 50 names,
as promised, by 10 a.m.

- I'll need a warrant from Buffarini Guidi.
- Then get it!

- Colonel, sir, we don't have 50...
- Then give us Jews.

Romeo...

Perizzi...

Giuseppe...

Giglio...

Maurizio.

Benati.

... Pilo.

Lombardi... Enzio.

64...

65...

66...

71.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24.

I spoke with the Duce last night.

I defer to you, Your Excellency.

I think it would be best
if you act on behalf of the Government.

The Duce says
he wants more details.

So when you have finished with Kappler
write me out a report.

Kappler wants 50 names.
50!

I don't have the authority, Your Excellency.
What can I do?

You must give them to him,
otherwise who knows what'll happen!

Yes, yes, give them to him...

Then you should give me the order...
in writing.

Why do you think I made you
Chief of Police, Caruso?

In Tuscany
we have a saying:

If you ask for a bicycle,
then you must pedal it!

Just don't get me involved.
I'm in it up to my neck already.

All right,
I'll give them the list.

Anyway, we are on a list ourselves.
Are we not, Your Excellency?

Colonel, I double checked
with Caruso's office.

They say
the list is still incomplete.

Never mind Caruso
for the moment.

We have another problem:
The burial site.

Dobrick is in charge of the execution,
but where?

That's a security problem.

We must find a suitable place.

It would take days...

... to dig a common grave.

Think in terms of grottoes,
a large natural death chamber.

- Colonel, the priest is here.
- A priest? What priest?

- Father Antonelli.
- What does he want?

- He says he must speak to you.
- Where is he?

I can only give you
two minutes, Father.

Colonel, I came here because
of your being kind to me...

... and I would like to know
what will happen now...

It will be a fair reprisal,
Father...

... carried out according to the
laws of the Hague Convention.

- So war has laws too?
- Yes, and we will respect them.

The law provides
for retaliation...

... in case of a terrorist
outrage against regular troops.

They say it was an act
of open warfare.

They? Do you know them?
How many are there? Two, three?

- Who are they, Father?
- Everybody, Colonel!

It's the only thing people
are talking about, all over Rome.

But you haven't said anything.
You've given no warning...

... like, "if the persons
responsible don't come forward..."!

Maybe they're waiting for this.
They might come forward.

And what would we do
with a handful of assassins?

- That's not enough, Father.
- And you call this a reprisal...

Did you make any effort
to find the attackers?

Did you make an announcement,
warning the people of Rome...

... what measures would be
taken against them? You did not.

- Italy is our ally.
- Italy... but which Italy?

There are two sides now,
and you are on the wrong side.

No, Colonel,
this is not a reprisal.

You know it yourself,
and you are not big enough...

... to cover crimes with fancy
words. This is just a massacre...

... carried in spite of the
most elementary rules of war.

It's too late, Father.

The machinery
is running by itself.

- Then stop it!
- The machinery is what you call "God"!

I cannot stop it any more
than a bullet can refuse to be fired!

I am a man, alone.
At the mercy of events.

Even you cannot stop it, Father!
That is all.

Let the spin of the wheel
decide.

God does not spin wheels
to decide the fate of men.

Your God
died 20 centuries ago.

This is the list!

You've already made up the list
of the men who will die?

I can only say that...

... for every name that I
wrote, I thought three times.

Three times!
Do something, Colonel!

- Tear it up, destroy it, burn it!
- You're mad!

Look, Colonel.
The sun is rising up.

The eternal symbol of renewal,
of hope.

Many will get up late,
they'll miss it.

But it dawns for every man.

Many people, Father,
dream when they are awake.

- I pity you, Colonel.
- Don't pity me.

Pity the man who has to...
carry out this deed.

I will stop you.

Father Pancrazio will speak to the Pope.
He will stop you.

The Pope is...
already heavily burdened.

Surely you don't want
to add to his burden.

His Holiness would prefer
to hear about it... after.

Father Antonelli.
I respect you.

I respect your mind,
I respect your courage...

... but I detest
men with illusions.

Don't press your luck.

La Vecchia, Gaetano...

Mancini, Enrico...

They telephoned from
Colonel Kappler's office, sir.

- How many names has he got?
- He's done. He says we're late.

Late!

It's too easy to say
we're late...

He's going to tell me
"You had only 50 names"...

But these are Italians!

They're Italians...

I go over every name three times.
Three! Three times!

Where are they?

They went away,
just after you left.

- They didn't leave a message?
- No.

Do you know where Elena lives...
Paolo, the others?

Few people live at home
these days, Father.

May God help them...
May God help us all!

- Where's the Father General?
- He's out.

- I can see that, I want to know where?
- You want?

Try to understand,
I must know where he his.

It's a matter of life and death,
do you understand?

It's all life or death these days,
Father Antonelli.

Father Gruber, try to help me.
I must see him now!

You should know by now,
that he visits the Holy Father every day.

He's at the Vatican.

Where we cannot possibly
disturb him.

Rome's Public Record Bureau
states the following:

Yesterday,
80 persons were born.

The Rome Stock Exchange recorded
minor fluctuations...

- Who is it?
- Aldo!

- Bye.
- Bye...

For the benefit of our listeners, we'll now read
the schedule of radio programs for today.

News broadcasts at 17:00, 20:00
and 23:00 hours..."

Nothing.

Rome beat Lazio in soccer.

There's a new Swedish film
premiering at the Barberini...

Nothing about Via Rasella.
The radio, newspapers... nothing.

- Like it didn't happen. But it did happen.
-

- I shall never forget it.
- ... the Catholic World, God's Word...

At 20:20 hours,
live broadcast of the concerto...

... conducted by Alceo Toni.
End of the newsflash.

I know,
that is why I'm here.

To try to prevent a senseless act
by the Germans.

- Yes, but...
- Listen to me, Father.

Together with someone
of great importance...

I have prepared a plan
for the Holy Father to consider.

Be assured he will give
this matter his utmost attention.

First, that he try
to postpone the reprisal.

At least for the time being.

Secondly, a requiem mass
in one of the basilicas of Rome...

For the killed
German soldiers.

The Holy Father might,
I say might, be present.

I have no doubt this
will draw approval everywhere.

And probably soften
the hearts of those men...

... who have made
this reckless decision.

Father General?

Wait for me
at the Salvatorian Mission.

Wait there, and pray.
Pray.

You refuse, Dobrick?!

You refuse!

My men are not trained
for an operation of this kind.

Most of them are just recruits.

Your men
have been slaughtered...

... and you behave as
though... it didn't concern you!

You dare refuse to obey an order
of the Führer himself!

That is high treason.

And you will answer for it
before a court martial.

Consider yourself under arrest!

Get me General Mackensen's
headquarters, at once!

Major Dobrick refuses
to carry out his orders.

My list is ready, sir.
Caruso's 50 should complete it.

- We also have...
- Yes?

Yes, put him through.

Colonel Hauser?
Listen carefully, Colonel.

You will proceed
with the utmost urgency...

... to place a detachment
of your men at my disposal.

They will proceed
with the execution of 320 hostages.

What?

What did you say?

Here are the names, sir.
It wasn't easy.

This is a report on the chosen site,
and here is...

... a copy of the plan of the
place we consider suitable.

Colonel Hauser has refused to place
his men at my disposal!

He says it is a job for the SS,
not the Army!

- Well, I'd say he's right.
- Kappler, you don't understand.

Dobrick has refused,
Hauser has refused...

In other words, they wash their hands
off the whole affair!

We have only eight hours left!

What good is your list,
who is going to shoot them?

I wouldn't worry, sir.
I'm sure you'll find somebody.

Yes, you!

You will do it.

If that's an official order,
General...

... then I will put my men at
your disposal for this... operation.

No, Kappler.

As commander
of the security forces in Rome...

... it is your duty to set
your men an example.

You and all your officers must personally
take part in this operation.

That... is my official order.

And of course,
you will have it in writing.

You're right, sir. I shouldn't ask my men
to do something I wouldn't do myself.

It's a symbolic necessity,
I think.

You're a fine officer, Kappler.

I will mention this
in my report to the Führer.

That could be very important for you,
in the future.

I have volunteered
for the Eastern Front five times.

I was refused each time.

They told me
I had an important task...

... an important
task to do in Rome.

DEATH IS UGLY FOR THOSE
WHO FEAR IT

You all know why we're here.

So I won't waste what little time
we have left.

Captain Priebke, to whom
I've already spoken, is briefing the men.

Anyway, I would like to clarify
two things with you.

First, there is no question
of moral guilt on our part.

We are soldiers
obeying precise orders.

Secondly, all 74 of us,
officers and men...

... all of German nationality,
will take part in this operation.

Anyone refusing to do so
will face a military tribunal.

And you all know
what that means.

Like many of you here, I've...
I've never killed a man.

I will fire the first bullet.

I'm certain I speak
for all of us here Colonel..

... when I say we
will all do our duty.

Thank you gentlemen.

This is the operation site.

It's a series of abandoned
man-made caves...

... about 3.5 km Southwest of
the Via Tasso, where we are now...

... and at the Via
Ardeatina, which is there.

The tunnels
are made of limestone.

When sealed, they will make
a natural death chamber...

... and the humidity will accelerate
the decomposition of the remains.

The tunnels
are already being mined...

... and will be blown shut on
completion of the operation.

The prisoners
will be led in here.

The executions will take place
by pistol fire, the Mauser.

The prisoners will be shot
in batches of 5 by platoons of 5.

It therefore follows
that each of us will kill 4 or 5 men.

I will now demonstrate
the procedure to be followed.

Brethien, kneel over here.

The prisoner will kneel,
head pushed slightly forward.

The muzzle of the gun placed
at the base of the neck...

... but contact is unnecessary.

The bullet will pass from low to high,
trough the brain...

... causing instant and
painless death. Thank you.

I calculate three hours
to round up the prisoners.

One hour for transportation,
one minute for each execution.

We should be finished by sundown,
a couple of hours ahead...

... of time, if all
goes as planned.

I've already ordered 40 trucks,
but there are difficulties.

- Difficulties? What difficulties?
- 18 of the trucks...

... are normally
used for meat supplies.

And the officer in charge of provisions
objects that if men are carried in there...

... they'll need to be sterilized afterwards.
- Get the trucks!

I will answer to the objections.

Gentlemen, we must not attract attention
at all costs.

Our best safety is speed.

The hospital just telephoned, sir.
Another one of our men has died.

That means I shall add
10 more names to the list...

... making it 330 in all.

Modify your plans accordingly.
That will be all.

Priebke...

The other evening you told me about 10 Jews
living in Aryan households.

I ordered you to arrest them.
Has the order been followed?

They're at
the Regina Coeli prison, sir.

- Add them to the list.
- Yes sir.

Priebke...

Send over a few cases of cognac
to the caves.

- Our men will not find it easy.
- Yes sir.

Please, sit down.

I'm sorry
you had to wait so long.

Father, tell me
what has been done.

All that was humanly possible,
believe me.

What does it mean?

The Holy Father has given
serious consideration...

... to the possibility
of his intervention.

But the Germans have threatened
to re-examine their attitude...

... towards the present negotiations
for the salvation of Rome.

The salvation of Rome?
What salvation, Father? Whose?

Father Antonelli,
even at a moment like this...

... we cannot forget
that Germany...

... is our last bulwark
against atheist Communism!

Do you mean to tell me
the Pope refused to intervene?

That he has forgotten
he's the Bishop of Rome!

How dare you pass judgment,
Father Antonelli?

The Holy Father
is a prisoner of History.

He must think and act
in terms that are universal.

So the Church
renounces her mission.

The Holy Father has chosen to do nothing.
As we all have!

Please, keep calm,
Father Antonelli.

These hours
have not passed in vain.

We have drawn up a statement
that will appear on the front page...

... of the Osservatore
Romano tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?
- Let me read it to you my son...

... and then you can
judge for yourself.

"In these anxious hours...

... we turn our thoughts
particularly to the city of Rome...

... so often tortured by
anguish, and tribulation.

Our appeal is made directly
to the conscience of the population...

... who have so admirably demonstrated
their spirit of sacrifice...

... and a profound sense
of dignity.

Do not shatter with violent urges
this stance...

... which is so worthy of
the virtues of our people.

Every ill-considered act,
would have no other result...

... than to end by
injuring innocent people...

... already too trialed
by anguish and privation.

For those whose place
is to maintain public order..."

- Colonel Kappler.
- Thank you.

I must talk to him! Sorry!

- They didn't want to let me in.
- You're in. What do you want?

I've just come
from the Vatican.

The Holy Father is taking the necessary steps.
You must postpone!

We've already been informed
of the "necessary steps"...

... the Holy Father is prepared to take.
This will appear...

... in the Vatican
newspaper tomorrow.

"Maintain public order.

See that it is not disturbed
by any attitude whatsoever...

... that causes painful conflicts.

Those who know how to influence
the minds of the citizenry...

... above all the priests, have
the high mission of persuasion...

... pacification
and giving comfort."

So you see, Father,
there was no point in your coming here.

Colonel, you have a soul, a conscience,
give it whatever name you like.

But one day,
regardless of what happens now...

... you will be called to
account for your actions.

Do something!
There is still time!

There is no time, Father.
It's always too late, I realize that now.

Every man follows his path.
So does the Pope.

Any man who believes
that he can control his own destiny...

Is dreaming
an ancient dream.

An ancient dream of fools.

Fools?
You call us fools? Utopians?

You call a "massacre" a reprisal,
a feeling boy "Partisan"...

... an old man "hostage", a
woman full of love "Communist"!

Hangmen wear masks, Colonel.

And you mask yourself with empty words,
in order to destroy!

But we are all men!

God's creation on Earth!
Not the cogs of a machine!

Men can choose!

Choose, Colonel!

- They're waiting for you, sir.
- I'm going to do my duty.

I've told you
what is expected of you.

Go on and do yours.

There's no time, Father.
There's nothing more you can do.

- I can still do something.
- No, Father.

Heil Hitler.

I'm sorry, I need this bicycle!
I need it!

This is the complete list.

Take it to Regina Coeli Prison
at once and hand it to...

Sir! They just telephoned
from Regina Coeli.

- They've already taken them away.
- But that's impossible!

I have the list here!
Here!

- It's the only copy.
- Kappler's men arrived and said...

... that otherwise
they'd take the guards.

- They took away 55 convicts.
- But... that's too many.

Too many...
Too many, too many!

They took 5 too many.

Fretate, Dino.

Giuseppe, Gaetano.

Grieco, Ennio.

Di Veroli, Attilio.

Lotti, Giuseppe.

Nobili, Edoardo.

Di Nepi, Giorgio.

D'Amico, Giuseppe.

D'Andrea, Mario.

Di Consiglio, Cesare.

Di Consiglio, Franco.

Di Consiglio, Marco.
Di Consiglio, Mosè.

Di Consiglio, Salomone.

Sonnino, Gabriele.

Spunticchia, Antonino.
Stame, Nicola.

Talamo, Manfredi.
Tanzini, Giovanni Carlo.

Tedesco, Cesare.

- Stop!
- Let me pass, let me pass!

Get back!

I can't do it, sir.

LIST OF THE VICTIMS
IN THE FOSSE ARDEATINE MASSACRE

Ten weeks later,
the Allies liberated Rome.

Police Chief Pietro Caruso
was tried by an Italian court...

... sentenced to death
and executed.

General Kurt Mälzer was tried
and sentenced to death in 1946.

The sentence was not carried out.
He died in prison.

Field Marshal Albert Kesselring...

... was tried by a British
military tribunal in 1947...

... and sentenced to death.
The sentence was not carried out.

He was released in 1952.

Colonel Hebert Kappler
was tried in Rome in 1948 and found guilty.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment,
and is serving his sentence...

... in the military
penitentiary at Gaeta.