Rome, Open City (Roma città aperta) is a 1945 Italian neorealist film directed by Roberto Rossellini, written by Sergio Amidei and Federico Fellini, and starring Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, and Marcello Pagliero. Set in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II, the film captures the desperate struggle of ordinary Italians fighting for survival and dignity. It’s a cornerstone of Italian cinema and one of the most powerful anti-fascist films ever made.
Detailed Summary
Life Under Occupation
The story takes place in Rome in 1944, just before the Allied forces liberated the city. Italy has surrendered, but the Germans still occupy Rome, hunting down partisans and resistance fighters. Life is bleak, food is scarce, and fear dominates daily existence.
Pina and Francesco
At the center of the story is Pina (played by Anna Magnani), a widow pregnant with the child of Francesco, a typographer and resistance member. They are planning to marry soon, but their happiness is overshadowed by the Nazi presence. Pina is also a strong symbol of the working-class Italian woman — tough, devoted, and deeply human.
Don Pietro and the Resistance
Don Pietro Pellegrini (played by Aldo Fabrizi) is a priest helping the Resistance. He passes messages, delivers money, and provides moral guidance. He’s a fascinating character — a man of faith who defies the church hierarchy to support those fighting oppression.
Manfredi, the Target
The Germans are hunting Giorgio Manfredi (Marcello Pagliero), a resistance leader. He seeks refuge with Francesco and Pina, then with Don Pietro. However, the Gestapo, led by the cold and calculating Major Bergmann, are closing in on him.
Betrayal and Arrest
One of the film’s most tragic elements is betrayal — Marina, an actress and Manfredi’s ex-lover, is manipulated by the Nazis into revealing his location. Her moral weakness contrasts with Pina’s courage.
When the Gestapo raid Francesco’s building, a heartbreaking scene follows: Pina runs after the truck taking Francesco away and is gunned down in the street in front of her son, Marcello. This moment — Anna Magnani’s scream and sudden death — is one of the most iconic and devastating scenes in cinema history.
Don Pietro’s Capture
After Manfredi is arrested and tortured to death by the Nazis, Don Pietro is also captured for aiding the Resistance. His calm and unwavering dignity during interrogation stand as a moral victory over his captors.
Movie Ending
In the film’s final act, Don Pietro is taken to a deserted area to be executed. The Nazis, frustrated that he won’t renounce his beliefs, order Italian collaborators to shoot him. However, even they cannot bring themselves to kill a priest. Eventually, a German officer coldly takes the gun and shoots him himself.
As Don Pietro falls, a group of boys from his parish — some of whom have been helping the Resistance — watch from a nearby hill. They are silent, shocked, but as they slowly walk back toward Rome, we see the city in the distance, glowing under the morning sky. This final image is profoundly symbolic: though individual heroes die, the spirit of resistance and hope lives on.
It’s a gut-wrenching ending that encapsulates Rossellini’s message — the moral and spiritual resilience of ordinary people in the face of tyranny.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes. The film ends with Don Pietro’s execution and the boys walking back toward Rome. The ending is final and deeply emotional — no extra scenes are needed to complete its message.
Type of Movie
Rome, Open City is a war drama and one of the earliest examples of Italian Neorealism, a cinematic movement focused on realistic storytelling, non-professional actors, real locations, and the struggles of ordinary people.
Cast
- Anna Magnani as Pina
- Aldo Fabrizi as Don Pietro Pellegrini
- Marcello Pagliero as Giorgio Manfredi
- Francesco Grandjacquet as Francesco
- Maria Michi as Marina
- Harry Feist as Major Bergmann
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Renzo Rossellini, Roberto Rossellini’s brother. The music is somber and emotional, matching the tragic tone of the story. It blends traditional orchestral arrangements with moments of silence to heighten realism and tension.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot primarily on location in Rome shortly after its liberation in 1944. The bombed-out streets, damaged buildings, and authentic urban environment weren’t just sets — they were the real aftermath of war. This raw realism became one of the defining traits of Italian Neorealism.
Awards and Nominations
- Grand Prize (later renamed the Palme d’Or) at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival
- Best Foreign Film at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards (1946)
- Widely regarded as one of the Top 100 Films in World Cinema by numerous critics and film institutes
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was shot with recycled film stock, because Italy was still recovering from the war. The rough texture adds to its documentary-like authenticity.
- Anna Magnani’s iconic death scene was filmed in a single take. Rossellini reportedly didn’t tell the extras when the gunfire would start to capture genuine reactions.
- The movie was initially funded by the Italian Resistance itself.
- Fellini helped shape the script, bringing touches of humor and humanity.
- Many extras were actual citizens of Rome, not professional actors.
Inspirations and References
The film was inspired by real events during the Nazi occupation of Rome, especially the story of Don Giuseppe Morosini, a priest executed by the Germans for aiding the Resistance. Rossellini combined real accounts and characters into a single narrative to depict the collective suffering and bravery of the Italian people.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no known alternate endings. However, early versions of the script included more scenes showing daily life in occupied Rome. These were cut for pacing and to focus on the central drama.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a book, but it has inspired numerous academic essays, analyses, and even other films about resistance movements and neorealism.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Pina’s tragic death in the street — a moment that defines cinematic realism.
- Don Pietro giving last rites to the tortured Manfredi.
- The final execution scene, showing moral courage over physical survival.
Iconic Quotes
- Don Pietro: “It’s not hard to die well. It’s hard to live well.”
- Pina: “War isn’t over for those who have hearts.”
- Major Bergmann: “What is man if he betrays his own soul?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The movie’s title, Open City, refers to Rome’s official status during the war — it was declared an “open city” to prevent its destruction, though that didn’t stop Nazi oppression.
- Don Pietro’s character is partly based on two real priests executed by the Nazis.
- The film subtly uses Catholic symbolism, equating Don Pietro’s death with martyrdom.
Trivia
- Filmed just months after the Germans left Rome — many of the ruins on screen were still smoldering.
- Anna Magnani became an international star because of this film.
- Federico Fellini later called it “the film that gave birth to Italian cinema as we know it.”
- Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese have both cited it as an influence.
Why Watch?
Watch Rome, Open City to witness cinema history being reborn from the ashes of war. It’s not just a film — it’s a raw, emotional document of human endurance. Its blend of realism, moral conviction, and heartbreaking performances still resonates 80 years later.
Director’s Other Movies
- Paisà (1946)
- Germany Year Zero (1948)
- Stromboli (1950)
- Journey to Italy (1954)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Bicycle Thieves (1948)
- Shoeshine (1946)
- The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
