Original subtitles

- THE FASCIST -

Oh, darling!

Daddy! Daddy!

Pardon me, Father! I mistook you for my father.

Come, come! You can't stay here!

- ROME, 1944 -

You leftists have such a suspicious nature.

In the next Government, we Christian Democrats,..

...will be entirely independent of the Church. - And so you should!

The affairs of State to the laymen, and to the priests, the parishes!

- Otherwise, goddammit... - Sweet heart of Jesus...

- ...be my love! - Jesus, Mary, Joseph...

.---1 give you my heart and soul.

- Would you like some salami, Father? - No. - It's from Forl!

- It's Friday, my son! - So what? This is good all week long!

Okay, never mind, then!

Leave me this carrot, you already have two.

As for Prime Minister, we all agree, right?

- Erminio Bonafé! - The Professor? - Yes. - Excellent choice!

- He's the only choice! - Excellent! - Non partisan, in every sense!

And above all, he's a genius, respected the world over.

We think so, too. The wisdom of Bonafé will ensure..

...the formation of a leftist people's Government!

No, no left or right, a Government of free men!

- Bravo! - Bravo! - Bravo!

You have a responsibility to your Country!

Stay here with us!

I've always hated the uniform.

At least, leave Rome!

You have a house in Villalago...

...in Abruzzo! Hide there!

My friends, I've lived in Rome too many years!

Everything I have is here! My books!

- They might arrest you! - Why in the world would they arrest me?

- Professor, what are you doing? - Where are you going? - It's late!

It's almost curfew.

And make him leave for Abruzzo!

The Professor to the phone.

Ab ira et odio, Professor Bonafé!

No. Is Professor Bonafé here? There's an urgent call for him.

- He's already left! - Just now!

Hello? You can talk freely, I'm a friend of his!

What?! And you're telling me? Call the Fire Department!

Hello?!

- He says the mother house is burning. - A dragnet at the Professor's house...

- What are you doing here? Move along! Keep moving! - Okay.

- Did you hear me? Move! - Okay.

Hey! Halt!

Don't you know you can't ride two-wheelers in the city?

Yes, but this is a three-wheeler.

- Papers! - Arcovazzi, they're all on the truck.

- Can we leave? - Yes, I'll be right there.

- Where do you live? - Here, nearby.

Then, go! Curfew starts in 2 minutes! Go!

Okay.

Still here? Go home! Go, go!

- We're closed! - Oh, darling! Forgive me! - What?

I was delayed!

- Where does he live, anyway? - Why?

That's a brothel!

Look alive! Look alive! You weaklings!

Pipsqueaks! Hit him hard! Hit hard!

Halt!

You lumps! I want to feel your hate when you hit the enemy!

Like this!

8 million bayonets to choose from and which one do I pick?

What's there to laugh at, you twits?

I'll make you sweat blood today! To the obstacle course! March!

Run! 1, 2! 1, 2! And sing!

#Silently and rapidly the submarines put out to sea,..#

#..straight and sure, the torpedo hits breaking and churning up the seal#

#5ail the vast sea..#

#..laughing in the face of Death and Destiny!#

This is a den of traitors! Someone must have warned him!

- The dragnet was top-secret! - But the biggest fish got a way!

- Bonafé must be brought in, whatever the cost! - Yes, sir.

- If not, heads will roll! Hurry up! - Yes, Captain!

- He's a good talker! - We'll send him to Abruzzo for Bonafé!

In spite of everything, he's the right man for the job.

- Trustworthy? - It took 20 years for him to learn what he knows,..

...it would take another 20 to make him change his mind.

Come on!

- Let's have a look at his file. - Here it is. Arcovazzi Primo.

He went to the camp for young fascists in '31, '32, '33.

In '34 he walked from Cremona to Rome for an audience with Mussolini.

- Did he receive him? - No.

Come on! Don't be afraid!

In '37 he won the Fascist Sports championships,..

...in '39 he studied the Fascist Mystique with Bardacci.

- First class. - What did he do on July 25th?

- St. James Hospital. - Draft-dodger? - No, patient.

He refused to take off his black shirt.

Okay, now the ring of fire!

Attention! Arcovazzi Primo to the Captains office!

Barbareschi, take command of the company!

- Yes, sirl - His head's on fire! Comrade!

And 3 laps around the yard, running! March!

Let him burn!

Why is Arcovazzi always so hard on everyone?

Haven't you heard? He wants to become a provincial party secretary.

- Your hat's on fire. - Fire?

The assault course!

- Were you in command of Thursday's dragnet? - Yes, sir.

- The order was that no one should escape. - Yes, sir.

And, instead, the biggest fish got away!

Bonafé, the leader of the Savoy-Badoglios, the future democratic President.

- Imbecile! - Yes, sir.

Leave immediately for Villalago, Abruzzo.

This is the map. You have 48 hours to bring the prisoner in.

Yes, sirl

- Is it true you want to become a provincial party secretary? - Yes, sir.

Good. If you succeed in this mission, you have a good chance.

- Thank you. - Dismissed!

- Now what? - To tell the truth, 1 don't know who this Bonafé is.

What? All of Italy knows him!

- That lightening should strike me! - What's wrong? Do you know him?

No, sir.

Poor animals! Three days without food!

Is there hay for the livestock in Rome?

Hay, no, but many a beast!

Weren't you happy in Rome? Didn't you have a job?

I told you, Auntie, I couldn't stay in Rome. They are looking for me.

But these are things beyond your understanding.

Well, if they're looking for you, they must need you.

You're too modest! Or else, you've come for Rosalba!

- For who?! - She's a lovely girl! You always played together as children.

- And then, you did compromise her... - Compromise her? Me?!

Don't you remember? You danced with her 3 times at the feast of St. Joseph.

- That was a long time ago! - Long ago? It was just before the war started.

- But, Auntie, the other war, WWI! - In fact, the war!

- Enrical Enrica! - Oh, Rosalba!

Come here! I have a surprise for you! If you only knew...

- A cart of hay is on the way. Let's go! - Later!

Come and see who's come for you! Erminio!

Hey there! I'm looking for Erminio Bonafé.

He's my nephew. He must have gone inside.

He was here a minute ago.

At ease! No bows!

- Are there other rooms? - My dear sir, no.

We are poor country folk. Is it our fault?

So?

I knew it! It was our hiding place as children!

You always used to hide there and I could never find you!

This time you found me right away.

Professor Bonafé, I have the honour of taking you to Rome.

Good for you, young man!

1 told you so! You're too modest! They need you in Rome!

Just a moment!

Make sure he puts it on at nightfall because the humidity is bad for him.

- Cheer up, granny! - Thanks. - I'll take good care of your nephew!

What do these people want? What does this mean?

That my friends and neighbours are fond of me and won't allow you to arrest me.

Don't go and be a hero now!

Do you want to face an angry crowd?

Stop!

- Isn't that the Professor? - Look at that! Lots of talk,..

...but even he has joined the fascists!

Pothole!

Stone!

Listen, my friend!

You know my name,..

...but I don't know yours!

Is it a military secret?

Pothole!

Hey!

Sir, what's your name?

- Sir who? - Sir, I'm talking to you!

Ah, to me, then don't call me sir!

It's been years since we've eliminated titles in Italy, didn't you know?

Pothole with water!

My name is Primo Arcovazzi. I was born in Cremona, in July,..

...just like Mussolini.

Instead, I am not so honoured. I was born in May.

The month of the jackass!

- Arcovazzi, stop. - Pothole with mud!

Let's talk, and not as enemies!

Silence! I do not talk with prisoners of war!

Listen! Let's talk it over!

#Silently and rapidly the submarines put out to sea.#

#The assailants' hearts and motors against the worst of odds!#

Pothole!

- WARNING: BANDITS! -

Pothole.

- Has it broken down? - No, it's out of gas.

Get down!

What are you doing? Are you crazy?

Get down!

Go away!

We only want the motorcycle!

Arcovazzi, what are you doing? Those are Partisans!

Who cares!

Okay, but later?

It will be dark in an hour. They'll attack us.

- Be reasonable. Let's surrender. - As long as I have ammo, I won't quit.

- And afterwards? They'll kill you. - No! They'll kill us.

They won't kill me! They're on my side.

Get up!

- Get up! - What are you doing? - Go on!

Don't shoot! I'm Bonafé! I'm Professor Bonafé!

- They didn't recognise me. - Damn!

If I could only get to the motorcycle!

Come on, let's go!

So, you're afraid.

No indifference in the face of danger?

You're good at marching in parades and jumping through rings of fire,..

...but when there's... - Did you say "rings of fire"?

Thank you, Professor!

Get up!

Move!

Hey, stop! Stop!

- What's wrong? - I'm a prisoner of war..

...and I have the right to a stop for a meal! - No meal!

- We'll eat in Rome! - But I'm hungry now!

- I appeal to the Geneva Convention! - To what?!

- Geneval Ever hear about it? - Well? I went to school, you know!

Geneva, a Swiss city, seat of the League of Nations,..

...where a demo-plutocratic assembly..

...decreed unjust sanctions against Italy who was just..

...aspiring for her place in the sun. - Congratulations! - Thank you.

- Who taught you these lovely things? - Arcangelo Bardacci,..

...dauntless fighting poet, veteran of Fiume and Sansepolcro Square.

He wrote the most beautiful poem of the fascist era.

- Would you like to hear it? - I'd rather eat.

- Well then, we'll leave right away. - Just a moment!

- You can't refuse me this. - Okay, let's go.

And the next time you try to pull a fast one,..

- I'll aim lower!

And now, come hell or high water, no more stops until we get to Rome!

- Afraid? - No.

Upsidaisy!

Upsidaisy!

Stop!

Stop!

Go to hell!

Now I've really killed him!

Are you hurt?

You worthless little wench!

You know what they call what you just did? Sabotage!

- Sabotage! - Quch!

I just wanted a ride. Are you going to Rome?

We were, but then you happened along, you little Tyche.

My name is Lisa.

For me, you're Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune! Shh!

- Then, you'll take me to Rome? - Unfortunately, I'm not in charge here.

You'll have to ask that man over there somewhere.

- Have you lost your glasses? - Yes.

I have just what you need. Now where did I put them?

Here! You'll see better with these. They're German.

You can see a sparrow a kilometre away.

150 lira!

- Are you still here? - And don't shout! Listen to me!

Will you take me to Rome?

I'll send you to Germany, you little wench!

I could sit here!

Well, are you still here?

This is a military vehicle and he is a prisoner of war! Go!

Do you know that there's a war going on?

I have these, as well. See if they fit.

- They seem like they were made for you! - Good, good!

150 lira.

Thank you.

Bye!

Incredible, Arcovazzi! That girl has an emporium in her bag!

She found me a pair of glasses that fit me perfectly!

I see as well as before, if not better!

I believe it! They are yours!

Instead of taking in the view, you could give me a hand!

No! The Geneva Convention is very clear on this point!

A prisoner has the right not to collaborate!

Being a physical fitness enthusiast this canto might interest you.

To a winner in the game of football.

What's that?

Blessed youth, know the face of glory..

...and the joyful voices.

- And who wrote this drivel? - Leopardi!

- Ever heard of him? - Who? The little hunchback?

A poet is not to be judged by his physique.

I prefer Arcangelo Bardacci. Now, there's a poet for you!

And then, he's not hunchback!

Who!

- What do you mean "who"? - It's the title.

Who!

Who, by defying machine-gun fire in the thunder of the battle..

...leads the attack? My Duce!

Who, among banners and flags leads the black shirts..

...and their party to victory? It's Benito!

Who, by despising France and Albion, with the German and the Nippon..

...marches ahead to proud destiny? - Mussolini!

But, they are Germans!

Yes, they're Germans!

They'll help me fix my motorcycle.

You must know they have a strong technical aptitude.

I know their other aptitudes and it frightens me.

I forbid you to speak like that about our valorous comrades! Hey!

Listen!

Let them be! History teaches us they have always been..

...our natural enemies! Starting from Attila!

Halt! Halt! Comrade!

- See, how Roberto works? - Do you know them? - No! The "Ro-ber-to"!

Rome Berlin Tokyo! The axis!

Danke schén! Thanks a lot!

Thanks! Very kind of you!

Did you hear him?

- He ordered him to test it for me. - No, to requisition it.

- What?! - In the name of the Fiihrer.

It's not possible! Just a moment!

That's my motorcycle! You can't requisition it!

It's mine! Listen!

Stop it! Let me go, you bunch of wimps!

Stop! What are you doing?

Professor, would you lend me your little book?

I'm glad you haven't lost heart and that you're using this time..

...to study. - Thank you. - You're welcome.

Yes! Quality paper, very thin, from before the war!

Luxury editions, they no longer make them like this!

But...

Look what you've done. You ripped out "The solitary thrush"!

Oh! It took the poet 2 weeks to compose it and you..

...want to smoke it in a minute!

"To Angelo Mai".

- To who?! - "To Angelo Mai"! It's a canto.

When all's said and done it's just a minor work.

No answer from the airport?

The lines are down, another bombardment.

Try again!

Here's the receipt for the requisitioned vehicle.

But I need my motorcycle for a war mission!

Not another word. The matter is closed. Auf wiedersehen!

Hey, you! Get up! Get up! Let's go!

Just a moment, please! Who are you?

Eh, no! This prisoner is mine! I have orders to take him to Rome.

I'm not speaking with you. Your name, please!

State your name clearly to our German comrades!

Erminio Bonafé!

Bonafé? Professor Erminio Bonafé?

What an honour! May I?

- Lieutenant Rudolf Bauer. - Do you know him?

And who doesn't? He's one of the greatest thinkers of our time!

Our cultural organisation and, above all, the Gestapo..

...are very interested in you.

It's a shame that your last book in favour of the Jews..

.-So displeased our Fihrer.

I must ask you to remain here as our guest, mein lieber Professor!

Lock him up!

This prisoner is mine! You can't take him away from me!

I can prepare another receipt!

Lieutenant, first I have to tell you something,

I have read the Professor's book defending the Jews.

And I found it excellent! I really liked it!

And I fully agree!

My ideas perfectly coincide with the Professor's!

Don't push!

Instead, I'm hungry! What's there to eat?

- Eat! - Ah, eat! eat!

Nicht eat!

Hey! What about the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners?

Arcovazzi, I didn't know that you'd read my book.

It's impossible to find in Italy. Good for you!

Who cares about the book! I've never read it, nor do I want to!

I only know that I have to take you to Rome, and I will at any cost!

- Even at the cost of escaping! - You want to abandon your comrades?!

What is the duty of a prisoner? To escape! So we'll escape!

No, I'm not running!

I am your prisoner! You're the German's prisoner!

Do you want to be deported to Germany?

You don't know what might happen to you.

What could happen to me in the hands of your brave German comrades?

#Silently and rapidly the submarines put out to sea,..#

#..straight and sure, the torpedo hits...#

Ouch!

- What did he say? - He says if you try again, he'll shoot.

- I could escape from here, if I wanted to. - Really? How?

I'd make too much noise.

- At the right moment. Good night! - Good night.

What's wrong? A bombardment?

I told you I had a way of escaping.

And now is the right moment! Hey!

Break the pencil and grind up the lead!

- Why? - Elementary chemistry:

...saltpetre mixed with carbon is considerably explosive.

Chew!

In there!

Wait!

Now.

Get down! Get down!

- At times even brute force helps! - Let's go. - Wait a moment!

How do you plan on getting out of here? Give way to intelligence!

Dammit! They beat us to it!

- Now what? - Run!

- But where? - Run!

What division are you in?

Anti-aircraft artillery.

Come with me.

- What did he say? - Shoot! - But I don't know this machine-gun!

Gosh! I must have hit the command post!

Let's go!

Where are you going?

I'm taking the prisoner to the Command.

Later! Now help us put out the fire.

- But this is sabotage! - Shh! Let's go!

Guard! Guard!

Let's go! Quick!

Let's go! Let's go! Quick!

Any volunteers for the airport?

Yes, one... him!

Me? No, him! Wait a moment!

Professor!

The Wehrmacht is in bad shape... They've started enlisting old men...

Professor, I order you to get in!

Don't leave him! He has to come with me!

Food! Quick! Food!

Don't be afraid, little girl! Food!

I'm sorry, but it's not cooked yet.

- Fill in the trenches!- I have an important mission to carry out!

First important mission: fill in all trenches!

I know which trench I want to fill in!

- Do you have goats in Germany? - Jal Large goats! - Really?

- He wants to eat. - Certainly!

- We'll fix it. Sit down. - What's wrong? What's happening?

Sit down!

Now we'll fix dinner.

- We'll fix it right! - Yes.

It'll be ready soon.

Hey! The butt, hurry up!

- Daddy, the cock! - The cock! - The cock, Daddy!

- Daddy, hurry up! - I gave it to you.

Hands up!

What are you doing? That's dangerous!

If you call your comrades, we'll kill you!

If you don't bring back my son, a prisoner in Germany, I'll kill you!

Now, wait a moment! There's been an error. I'm not German.

It's a Kraut uniform, but I'm Italian. Can't you hear how well I speak Italian?

So what? If I had studied, I'd speak Italian, too!

- Shoot, Daddy! - Bring back my son!

Shoot, Daddy!

Who do you want to throw down the well?

So you're from Abruzzo! You should have told me!

1 told you 100 times that I'm not German!

But why did you say you were Italian?

It's a long story. Now I want to eat.

You're Italian and you want to eat our food!

- The Germans have taken everything we had! - Wait!

We are poor country people!

That's right, Granddaddy!

Noon! Finally, lunch time!

Where are your manners? I'll go back to work when this mayhem is over!

If you want a receipt contact my command!

Before you only scared the birds,..

...now you'll scare men as well.

Oh!I So we meet again, Professor! Two chickens for the price of one!

Let's go, move!

What are you doing, Professor?

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Isn't that the girl who sold you the glasses?

- So it's you! - Why don't you get lost?!

- What are you doing here? - The same thing you were doing!

Run, Giovanni! Get the shot-gun!

The farmers! Let's run! Move!

There they are, I saw them! They're running off!

Be still! Damn you!

- Professor, kill that chicken! - No. I am a scholar.

You're the war monger!

So, continue your battle with that chicken and to the best the victory!

Come here, you!

- Leave me alone! - Be still!

Arcovazzil Shame on you! She's just a child!

You're way off-track!

Come on! You kill it!

Okay, but then I get half!

...in thought, I create interminable spaces,..

...where the heart barely fails to terrify.

And when I hear the wind, rustling through the trees...

Pardon.

...I compare its voice to the infinite silence,..

...and eternity occurs to me, and all the ages past..

...and the present time, and its sound.

Amidst this immensity my thought drowns,..

...and to flounder in this sea is sweet to me.

- No, no! This is "The Infinite". - I'll never tear it out!

Thank you.

Tired, eh?

Good for you, Primo!

It must be Leopardi's influence or this dinner by the fireside,..

...but you know, you're making progress.

- Why? - You asked me if I was tired!

- Me?! - You said: "Tired, eh?".

You misunderstood! Never!

I never would lower myself to that point! Got it?

- I was talking about that little thief! - Ah... Tyche!

Arcovazzi, must you always shout like that?

You have no idea how disturbing your tone of voice is.

The secret of commanding lies in the power of the voice!

If a man has to shout to be obeyed, then he's not strong enough.

- In a democratic Country... - Demo-plutocratic!

Always the same clichés!

Every once in a while think for yourself.

Try to be free.

Okay, tell me! Just what is freedom?

Freedom is..

.Let's say I'm the head of the Government, you come to me..

...you open the door and say:

..."Bonafé is a stinker!". Can you do that now?

Of course! I can go to Mussolini and say: "Bonafé is a stinker!".

Joking apart,..

...what is this democracy everyone is talking about?

If a man is hungry, a dictator gives him bread and cheese,..

.-While a democrat gives him money so he can buy what he wants:

...bread, salami, a book, a tie. In short,..

...he's free. - And if there's nothing to buy?

Or if you don't have any money, what do you do?

- I don't know. - I know. You steal!

Quiet you, thief and leech!

- Maybe it's not her fault. - And whose then? Mine?

- Yes, yours too. - You know what? I don't like your freedom.

How can you like something that you've never tried?

You think I don't know what freedom is? What am 1? A slave?

Enough! I said, enough!

Here there is only one free man, me! And you're my prisoner!

Here.

- Well, let's sleep on it, okay? - Sleep on it...

That way, while I sleep, you run off.

No, no, Professor! You're mistaken!

I'll keep watch!

I'll keep watch!

Professor, wake up! Wake up! Hurry up, it's late!

- Come on! - Arcovazzi, where's your uniform?

What's wrong with my uniform? Don't you like it?

Damned thief! It was her, the little saboteur!

Good for you, little Tyche! This time you've spared me.

If I catch her, I'll have her shot! Word of honour!

- No! I'll wear these boots! - Why?

You don't want to go around wearing Nazi boots, do you?

One..

...plus one makes two! Let's go!

We've already lost too much time!

It's time to get back on the road for Rome!

So you'll finally reach your destination, naked!

Pothole!

Can't we take a better road?

The best roads are also the most dangerous.

- Because this car is stolen... - Requisitioned, please!

Pothole!

The suspensions will break!

The suspensions! Don't make me laugh!

Our backs will break first!

- These are German cars, indestructible, perfect! - Really?

River!

- We'll have to turn around. - These cars,..

...not only can be used on the road, they are also amphibian vehicles.

They can float on the water! Got it?

See how well "Ro-ber-to" works?

#Silently and rapidly the submarines put out to sea,..#

#..straight and sure, the torpedo hits...#

We also have our Acheron separating us from the hell of Rome!

But I see no demon Caron willing to ferry us!

Now what are you babbling about?

We'll never make it to the other side,..

...especially since I can't swim. - Obstacles are not to be feared,..

...but to be struck down! - Okay, then strike down the river!

- You said you were born in Cremona. - I was born in Azzanello,..

...my father is a blacksmith, like Mussolini's father.

- Bless you! - Thank you.

- And do you have a girlfriend? - Of course I do!

I haven't seen her for 4 years!

We send each other postcards every once in a while.

And why all of these questions?

Why don't you go home and see her?

I'll go to Villalago, to nurse my cold,..

...and we'll both wait the war out at home.

- It can't go on for long, now. - Professor, get up!

Get up!

I know one thing only, my duty!

My orders are to bring you to Rome, and so I shall! Understand?

Well? What are you staring at?

1 know, I look silly in my boxers! I'd like to see you in my place!

You look even sillier in uniform!

Lady Eleonora!

Professor! Professor!

Where are you going? Stop! I order you to stop!

My dear Bonafé! I am so pleased to see you!

- I see you also love the countryside. - Yes, more or less.

- Do you know Angelo Maria, my second born? - Nice to meet you.

He's all that's left to me.

- And Federico? - He's in Russia.

He hasn't returned yet.

Mr. Arcovazzi.

The Marquise Eleonora Castaldi of Archipiano.

I take advantage of these lovely spring days, to get some air,..

...and to pick strawberries. I love strawberries.

Too bad, there's no cream to be found!

Where did we last see each other? Ah, yes, in Turin!

For your wonderful conference on Proust.

My husband wore his boxers longer.

That was the last time we heard those names: Proust...

Hey! Come here! Come on! There are the potatoes to peel!

Hurry up! Hurry up!

My tenants.

Today, they are my masters. They keep us here, for pity's sake,..

...or perhaps to humiliate us. But, what can I do?

I have nothing left. Nothing.

How sad to speak of such things! Especially this fine spring day!

The sweet season of strawberries...

- Here! - No, no... - Yes!

I'll tell my tenants that I didn't find any.

Take them! In thanks for that day in Turin with Proust.

Farewell, Bonafé.

- Who is this Proust? - A friend, he's dead as well.

- The strawberries are mine! - Why?

- You slept, I eat! - But Geneva...

I could care less about Geneva!

But...

What are they doing? Dropping bombs? Have they gone crazy?

What are you doing? Are you blind? I'm in my underwear!

Stop! Stop!

What? Why didn't it explode?

It's not a bomb. It's a extra fuel tank.

When they're empty, the bombardiers get rid of them.

Ah, it's empty!

Whirlpool!

Let's go.

Is there anyone up there?

And here?

- Anyone here? - Hands up! And don't move!

We followed you! From the river! Bastards!

You must be two dirty American parachutists!

You're here to blow-up the Fascist headquarters!

- Dammit! What kind of a joke is this? - Halt! Halt!

Cut it out, greenhorn! I am Primo Arcovazzi, non-commissioned officer..

...on a special mission for the party!

I am taking this prisoner to Rome.

- In your underwear? - How I'm dressed is not your concern!

Calm down! I assure you that, despite his underwear,..

...this man is a VIP in the party.

He has a good chance of becoming a provincial party secretary.

And if it's true? I suggest that...

When were the Italian Fascist fighting troops founded?

March 23, 1919.

- The voluntary militia for national security? - February 1, 1923!

They don't call me Primo for nothing.

What lies behind our certain victory?

First: we are fighting for a just cause!

Second: our arms are unlimi --

- When was the work charter issued? - Let me finish! Work charter...

Fundamental document of the fascist revolution...

It was issued...

When?

- It was issued... - April 21, 1927.

On April 21, 1927!

- Satisfied? - Yes, satisfied.

Good, comrade!

We are at your service!

Kindergarteners!

Don't you know that the handshake was abolished by Starace on June 23, 19387

- What are you doing? - Give it back!

- But it's the party's tandem! - And I am the party! Go away!

Professor, get on!

- But I've never ridden one. - There's always a first time! - Okay.

- Win! - We shall win!

Pump those pedals! By nightfall we'll be at Rocca Sabina.

- Another Fascist headquarters? - No, Arcangelo Bardacci's hometown,..

...my teacher. He'll put us up.

Bless you!

You're not the outdoors type! You prefer a comfortable life, eh?

No. I'm beginning to like this open air life!

- And you, how's your bellyache? - I'm resisting!

Professor, where are you?

- I'm here! - Talk! Talk! Keep talking!

- What were your marks in Phys. Ed.? -9!

- I knew it. - What did you say? Talk!

Keep on talking!

When I was in school,..

...they taught me that an 8 in Latin was more important..

...than knowing how to climb a pole.

A serious error!

In the following years, to get a good Government job,..

...the first thing you needed to know was how to climb a pole.

Italy was no longer leader in the arts, but a gym teacher, instead.

- Professor, why weren't you talking? - I did talk, the whole time and loud!

I didn't hear a thing!

War is a beastly interlude..

...and only when it's over will its futility be apparent.

- If you lose! But if you win? - In a war, everyone loses.

But..

...are you sure you're going in the right direction? - Very sure!

10 more kilometres and we're there!

- GRAVEL PIT, DEAD END -

Hey, you!

Are you talking to me?

- Yes, you. Do you know... - I don't know anything.

- I haven't even asked the question! - And I haven't told you anything.

- Is that town down there Rocca Sabina? - Which one? - That one, there!

- Why, is there a town? - Didn't you come from there?

- Who? Me? - Yes, you! Where did you come from?

- Yes, from a town... - Is that Rocca Sabina?

- What do you think? - What do I think? If I'm asking you, then I don't know!

1 don't know anything either! No idea! But if you say so, it must be true!

Hey!

- Do you know Arcangelo Bardacci? - The poet? I don't know him.

I know nothing. I know nobody.

- Wait! Where does this road go? - If 1 only knew!

- Well, then you're an idiot! - Who's an idiot?

- You! - Ah. Okay, okay...

- It's important to be clear! - But where are you going?

Where? There! Down there! No, wait, I'm going there!

But what's it to you? What do you have against me?

I don't know anything! Just forget about me!

And I don't want to know anything!

- Who's there? - Friends!

- Who are you looking for? - Comrade Arcangelo Bardacci.

He's dead.

- Dead? - We'll find another place to sleep.

No, first I must know!

It's not possible! My teacher!

What else do you want?

I'm Rita, Bardacci's niece. What do you want?

No, nothing.

I'm Primo Arcovazzi, non-commissioned military officer.

I was a good friend of Bardacci's.

We were at the school of Fascist mystique together.

And since I was going to Rome, on a special war mission,..

...thought I'd stop by and say hello..

...and, if it were possible, ask him if he could put us up, but don't worry...

- It's okay by me, I don't know if my aunt... - I understand.

We really are very tired.

And sick with a cold.

- Is this okay? - Yes, thanks.

This is all I have left of my poor Arcangelo.

What a terrible shock. I still can't believe it.

He taught me everything I know, he made me the man I am!

- How did it happen? - In Albania.

Arcangelo volunteered.

One day he took off and... He never came back.

Missing over Albania.

If he could have chosen his death, he would have chosen to die like that.

Comrade Bardacci present!

What's happening, Bardacci?

This electricity, it comes and goes. It's been like this for some time now.

It's ready!

Nothing special. Just what we had in the house. Some beans.

- I'm sorry, this is all we have. - Beans? They're my favourite!

- Shall I sit here, Mrs. Bardacci? - Yes, please. - Thank you.

- I've already helped myself! - Good! - Thank you.

Thank you, miss.

In Cremona they cook beans with chitlins.

With pork rinds. My mother always fixed them for me.

Now, with the war on, there are no pigs to be found.

Instead, I find, that with this war, the pigs have increased in number.

Here you are.

Thank you.

It's hot.

We don't even have any fruit. Maybe I can find a few walnuts.

Don't worry. I'll have a few more beans.

- What is this dance? A fox-trot? - No.

It's a tango.

I wonder how long it's been since you've danced?

Since I was born! 1 don't know how to dance!

A grave lacking in your training, my dear Arcovazzi!

1 think I still remember a few steps..

...and if I may have this dance... - Oh, yes, thank you.

No, I can't. What, with my poor Arcangelo up there...

Certainly, forgive me.

A short, but lovely dance.

Would you like a bit of Nocino, a liqueur that we make ourselves?

- For important occasions. - Eh, no!

First the dance, now a liqueur. Let's not exaggerate, by Jove!

Why? What have I done?

Some respect for the memory of Arcangelo Bardacci, above!

At this hour? Do you want me to die of hunger?

I couldn't before! We have guests!

- Guests? And who? Who is it? - Calm down.

- A bourgeois and a non-commissioned officer. - Militia?

- And they're looking for me? - They were.

- But you're deceased. - Missing over Albania.

- In the skies over Albania. - Took off and...

- Never came back! - Good!

The important thing is to always give the same version.

- And did they believe you? - It would seem so.

And who is the non-commissioned officer?

- Ehm... Arcovazzi. - Arcovazzil

He, of all people?

His head is as hard as a rock!

Of all of my students, he was the most fanatical!

If he finds out I'm here, I'm done for.

I'll take care of it.

Matilde!

Yes?

Tonight I want to write. Bring me some candles.

This on-again-off-again electricity...

Later on, when everyone's asleep.

- There's a cot. Professor, you sleep here! - What?

- But... - Professor!

- Oh, it's you! Where are you going? - I was bringing these candles.

- To who? - To you, of course! - To me?

Okay, good. Come in!

- And this? - Ah, you already have one.

So, you aren't here just for the candles.

It's that I'm a little absent minded. You know how it is..

...the suffering, the worries, the war...

- Yes, I understand... - Unbelievable!

With this house to run now that he's gone...

When a woman is left alone...

Arcangelo is up there for more than a year, now.

A year, 365 days...

- And 365 nights. - Yes!

- Matilde... - No, no!

- Matilde... - No, no. What are you doing?

Matilde!

I beg you please, leave me alone! Primo, behave yourself!

The Professor. Please! He might hear us!

- And who are you? - I'm Professor Erminio Bonafé.

And you? You must be the daring Bardacci, missing over Albanial

We can't! What would Arcangelo say?

- Let's leave Arcangelo with the archangels! - But, no!

It's useless, it's locked.

But that scoundrel is in there with my wife!

- With your widow! - What?

- Well, it's the same thing. - Don't be foolish! He's armed!

- It's not possible! - And then, I wouldn't resuscitate now.

Better to be missing over Albania..

...than to be buried in the Rocca Sabina cemetery.

No, no!

- Come here! - Not here!

Wait!

There. Do you hear them?

If you want to get even, I have a better way.

I'm a political prisoner..

...and at the right moment... - Which moment?

The moment in which you'll have to account for your great poem.

- Who, by defying machine gunfire... - No, no! I've changed my tune now.

Just today, I wrote a quatrain of verses..

...which illustrates my true thoughts.

- Who! - Again!

No! But with a totally different concept!

Who, by driving out the German from the battle and the struggle..

...will bring peace to all? Freedom!

Wake up, Professor!

- Good morning, Primo! - He's duped me! You've all duped me!

Where are you going?

You're tactless!

Hey, you! Where is he? Where have you hidden him?

- Who? - What do you mean? My prisoner!

You helped him get away, while your aunt distracted me!

- I don't know anything. - What?

Then why are you out so early?

I went looking for pork rind to make you some bean soup.

This is not the time to think about chitlins!

Why don't you let the Professor go? The war's lost, anyway!

No, it's won! We can be certain and for many reasons!

First: we are fighting for a just cause.

- Second: because... - My uncle used to say just that.

Look at him! He preferred to live one day as a lion!

Do you trust my uncle? Would you take his advice?

Of course! He was my guide!

Then, go and visit him!

- And where? In heaven? - No, much closer. In the attic.

In the attic?!

Yes, over the room where you slept.

He's hiding out there.

He must have heard everything...

- Yes, and I'm sure it made him happy! - I don't think so...

Well, the --

Then, he must have helped Bonafé escape. Yes! For revenge!

- Against whom? - I know against whom!

It's clear! Everybody looks out for himself now!

I'm the only one who still does his duty!

Total anarchy! Would you look at this! Everything ruined, everything destroyed!

One runs off, the other hides out!

You worry about chitlins! And me? Why not, who cares!

Primo!

Come on, let's bust up everything! Why do I do it, anyway?

Primo, there's a train that passes through every day.

- Why don't you go home? - Of course, the train!

You take the train, you go home.

You wait, you hide. Then, when you go to bed, Mom tells you:

..."Primo deary, good night" and tucks in the covers!

My mother still calls me "Primo deary", like when I was a child!

No! Too easy!

- What time does this train leave? - Morning, noon or night.

In fact! Trains leave, go, come! They do what they want, too!

Well,..

.Farewell. Thanks for the chitlins.

They've fixed the tracks at Civita Castellana. All aboard.

Pardon me, Reverend.

Excuse me. Is there a connection for the north at Civita Castellana?

- Can you tell me, Reverend? - No...

I need a connecting train to Cremona. I'm going home.

Bless you!

Thank you.

And do you know why I'm going home? Because I've been duped..

...by a wise guy by the name of Bonafé. Do you know anything about it?

- And you, do you know him? - No, no.

Strange! He says that everyone in Italy knows him.

May I?

You wouldn't want to deny me the comfort of prayer, would you!

This solitary hill has always been dear to me...

Professor Bonafé, the jig's up. Time to go back!

Halt!

Hey! Stop!

- I can't! - Are you going to Rome? - Yes!

Then, stop!

- I told you I can't! - I order you to stop!

Now you've done it. 1 told you that I couldn't!

Now, you've made me shut the motor off!

Get off! Everybody off and push!

Get on! Hurry! Get on!

Help me! Stop, I say!

Damned!

Oh! You look like a plate of egg noodles!

But those are my eggs!

You laugh, but I work!

Tonight who'll bring the money home? The Holy Ghost?

- Pardon, Reverend. - Bravo! You even curse!

They think only of business and money!

- Excuse me. Who is this? St. Damian? - No!

This is the sacred effigy of the Blessed Colasanti,..

...my countryman!

I made this statue with my own hands.

I'm taking it to Rome to have it consecrated.

Everybody off! There's a hill! Go, go, hurry!

The motor can't make it!

Come on! Push!

- Everybody on! - Help me!

Everybody off! It's a steep hill and the brakes can't hold!

- Everybody on! - Wait for me!

You rascals, stop! Stop! Wait for me!

You've left me high and dry! You bumpkins, stop I say!

Damned! They've left me high and dry!

Would you like a piece?

Hey you! Will it take much longer?

Just a minute, officer! There was a busted joint!

- Thank you. - 100 lira!

Enemy plane in view! Everybody down!

We're off, with a little help from above!

What's this?

What's this? Tears?

The Blessed Colasanti is crying! The Blessed Colasanti is crying!

It's a miracle! A miracle! A miracle!

It's a miracle!

- Calm down! Come to your senses! - A miracle! It's a miracle!

Don't jump to conclusions! Don't go crying "miracle” like that!

No, the Church is very careful!

They verify, investigate, study each case!

It's oill Olive oil!

Vegetable oil.

- Coward! Scoundrel! - Let's go! Hurry! Push! Go!

Everybody push! Let's go!

The aeroplanes are back!

- Those children down there! - Somebody go get them!

Get down!

Down! Down! Here comes another!

We have to leave before they're back! Everybody, push!

All together! Push!

Professor!

Professor! Professor! Professor!

Professor, stop! Don't make me shoot!

Professor, I don't want to shoot!

Arcovazzi, stop! Stop! It's a mine field!

Hey, Professor!

Ah, thanks.

Damn, this humidity!

- How's your cold? - I'd feel just great,..

...if it weren't for the fact that I can't move my right leg.

Great, I bet there's a storm brewing!

No, it's storming down there, towards Rome.

Hey! Stop! Don't move! It's dangerous! Halt!

- This is a mine field! - Ah, the sign? I put it there!

Before, everyone tramped through: soldiers with their boots, tanks...

Since I put this up, no one comes through to ruin the crop!

Isn't she that little thief?

Yes, it's her! The little rascal! I've got you!

- Ouch! Let me go! You're hurting me! - Come here!

She bites, too!

You catch more flies with honey. What do you want?

What do I want?! The uniform you stole from me!

- Look how nice this one is! - But that's not my uniform!

This is better than yours!

Here! I feel generous! I'll give you this hat with the golden chicken!

It's an eagle!

And the boots!

- You like it? - This is a provincial party secretary's uniform!

Well, I don't know if...

- I don't know if I should wear it. - Of course you should!

Your mission is completed and this is your reward!

You're right.

Don't you want to buy anything? Look how poorly you're dressed!

It's perfect for prison life.

Don't you want a uniform, too? Black? Or grey-green?

- I even have a General's uniform complete with braid! - Thank you.

Well...

He's a strange one, huh?

Today, everyone is getting rid of uniforms and he wants one!

- Yes, he's a stubborn one. - Well...

Bye!

- Hurry up! - Yes, miss!

- After all, it's my right, isn't it? - Of course!

Let's go.

And be careful!

Come on, move!

Did you see them?

- What? - They're Americans!

So what? Prisoners of war! The Cassino front!

- Are you sure? - Who else could they be?

Let's go, move! Get a move on!

- What's he doing? - Is he crazy?

I really have to brush up on my German! I can't understand a word!

- Of course not! They're singing in American! - No...

Well then, Rome is full of American prisoners!

You, black shirt! Fascist, paisa?

Yes, I'm a fascist.

Get him!

Mattei, come here!

What happened? You disappeared into thin air!

- Make them stop! - Right away!

- Stop it! - Make way! Off with you!

You there! Enough! I said, stop!

- Coward! - Take his gun! - You delinquent!

He's a party officer! We must shoot him right away!

Okay, ready!

- Just a minute! He's mine! I'l take care of him! - Here!

Move! Move! Let's go!

That way!

Move! Move!

Shoot!

- Shoot! - Put your hands on your head!

Come on, shoot. Let's get it over with!

Your death would have no meaning. The age of violence is over.

And the beating? And this bloody nose?

They're worse than us.

They weren't beating you, but your uniform.

Maybe so, but I was in the uniform.

- Hurry up! - What are you doing?

- What are you doing? - Dressing you like a bourgeois.

- Bourgeois? - Yes. You'll get used to it.

Go! You're a free man, even if you don't like freedom.

Hey, paisal

- "The Infinite"?! - By now, I know it by heart.