One of the best films about the tragedy of the war "Where are we going?"
- I'll be in trouble.
This is probably one of the best films directed by Luigi Comencini, actor Alberto Sordi, and one of the best films on a military theme! A stunning story of a general military tragedy, the fate of specific people and the impersonal mass. At the same time, the Italians did without pathos! It was a tragicomedy about the chaos that reigned in Italy in the last days of World War II, about the desire for peace, about the sense of home, humanity and the desire for historical truth.
The story begins on September 8, 1943, when the Italian commander-in-chief, Marshal Badoglio, announces an armistice between the Italian government and the Allied forces. The soldiers of the garrison, where Lieutenant Alberto Innocenzi serves, heard the news on the radio. However, the headquarters is silent without receiving any new instructions. And Lieutenant Innocenzi with his platoon went on a mission, in the old-fashioned way counting the Germans as allies and the Americans as enemies.
The Italian soldiers are tired. Taking advantage of the general confusion, they run home, fearing everyone: Germans, Americans, Italian fascists, partisans. The main character goes on a journey, gaining new acquaintances along the way, and losing old friends. The slogan reads: “Alberto Sordi as a soldier who did not resist... until he found the enemy!” Very well said.
For the role of one of the companions of the main character – Ceccarelli – was planned Nino Manfredi, but Sordi resisted, leaving the status of the only comedy actor in the film. And the role went to Serge Regjani. By the way, in place of Sordi could be Vittorio Gassman, and the father of Lieutenant Innocentsi could perform Toto.
The film is included in the list of 100 films that changed the collective memory of Italy. I recommend it for a mandatory review.
10 out of 10