Rome, Open City (1945) ( Roma, città aperta ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Spain ]

"ROME OPEN CITY" is truly one of the most powerful movies ever made. In depicting the manner in which ordinary human beings, including even young children, are willing to take a stand and fight back against Evil incarnate under the worst circumstances and horrendous odds, places this towering film in a class by itself. If "OPEN CITY" was the only film Italian Director, Roberto Rossellini had ever made, it would still be more than sufficient to guarantee his place in the Pantheon of the greatest Film Makers in the history of Cinema. Together with, Federico Fellini, another giant of world cinema, Rossellini created a Screenplay and visual images that sear themselves into our eyes and brain and memory.Without the need of Technicolor, hi-tech special effects and/or stereophonic sounds being blasted non-stop into our eardrums, the Film's story and the superlative quality of its splendid cast of actors stands on its own. This is the Art of Film Realism at its zenith.In the way "OPEN CITY" portrays the astounding levels of courage which the Italians summoned up to fight back against the Nazi occupation of Rome, this film has no peers that can equal its emotional intensity. Perhaps this film has been equaled in depicting the horrors of war but it has never been surpassed in terms of sheer Directorial power.As the Nazi hordes swept across Europe and beyond in their maniacal and endless quest to enslave the rest of the world, fully convinced that Germany represented "The Master Race", people in every nation rose up in the form of Underground Freedom Fighters to challenge the German scourge. The small group of fearless Italians portrayed in "OPEN CITY" in essence represent all those millions of people throughout the world who were prepared to sacrifice their very lives to fight Evil Incarnate during WW II."ROME OPEN CITY" is a Film that should be high on every Cinema Lover's list of MUST SEE movies.Once seen it can never be forgotten. The genius of Roberto Rossellini is here on full view.

The gritty and episodic quality and the absence of any slickness make this movie quite convincing -- this was what Italy during the occupation was like, I believe it was so after seeing the movie. The plot doesn't seem like something scripted but just what happened, and one couldn't predict the course of events. Brilliant work.

Film critics are better able to review films, but this is widely, and justifiably, recognized as one of the major artistic accomplishments in post war cinema. I would bet it is not widely seen these days. It certainly should be. Even more so if you are a director, cameraman, editor, or writer.It does not require a huge budget, exploding cars, simu-sex, and preachy dialog to make a masterpiece. Imagine!

Hard for me to compare this film to modern war pictures but I got it because my family lived in Rome during the war and I wanted to see if I could get a sense of their lives during that time. I believe I did. Good acting, good sound and direction and a very clean print. Worth watching

This was a very stark film, about the Nazi occupation of Rome during WW2. Worth seeing IMHO!!

Interesting historically, but mostly feeble vignettes.

movie had no subtitles and I could not use Amazon CC. Requested refund

Did Roberto Rossellini, with this picture, not tell us that Rome was for sale?

I've bought, first The Amazon.co.uk edition, and then the italian version which is surely very best.This film is the ultimate expression of neorealism: Film Movement aims to return with great fidelity the tragic reality of the moment, through images and narrative. Intended to occupy a prominent place in film history mondiale.Roberto Rossellini turned "Rome, Open City" between 1944 and 1945 during the last months of World War, creating a masterpiece that is now recognized by all as a kind of movie -symbol of Neorealism. In a troubling climate of continuous raids during the Second World War, in a Rome starving destroyed by war and Nazi occupation in the dignity of a priest (Aldo Fabrizi a memorable), and in the name of freedom, it helps a partisan leader. But because of one infamous traitor, who is using drugs and who attends a long time environments of the "SS", everything falls ... and tragedy within the tragedy takes sopravvento.The film has a strong emotional charge, aligned perfectly with the harsh reality that has not left space unfortunately not even that thin thread of hope for an eventual rebirth and fed only a bitter illusion a better tomorrow. Hope, much sought-after (and wonderfully represented by the great Anna Magnani), but ruthlessly suppressed by atrocious reality. After "Rome, Open City, Rossellini completed the so-called" war trilogy "with" Paisà "(1946) and" Germany Year Zero "(1948) to see ... not to forget ...

I bought the whole trilogy. The older I get, the more I want realism and meaning, instead of the mainly trivial themes in films today. I experienced them all, Rome is probably my favourite and the feeling of tragedy at the end is intense.

This film made in 1945 , like Rene Clements' Is Paris Burning, is a truly great film. Anna Magnani who previously was known as a comedienne , is magnificent. All the cast are perfect. A must for any aspiring film maker!

Excellent movie, the DVD transfer is ok. Due to the age of the film you can't expect todays quality. Unfortunately ARROW Films only released a cut version of the film. The famous torture sequence is slightly cut (fire scene). Maybe to get the "12" classification? But it's still worth buying. But if you want to get an uncut print you should look out for an italian print.

I watched it at home with family. The cinematography was good, black & white is effective especially to emphasise the realism of the storyline. The characters, especially the Germans, were too much cliches of Germans as baddies and evils. None of the characters really captured me enough to feel for them. Not much depth or nuances in the characters.