Last Days of Mussolini

Last Days of Mussolini (Italian: Mussolini: Ultimo atto) is a 1974 Italian historical drama film co-written and directed by Carlo Lizzani and starring Rod Steiger, Franco Nero and Lisa Gastoni. The film depicts the days leading up to the death of Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, when he attempted to flee Milan in April 1945 at the end of World War II in Europe.[1]

Last Days of Mussolini
Italian DVD poster
Directed byCarlo Lizzani
Written byCarlo Lizzani
Fabio Pittorru
Produced byEnzo Peri
StarringRod Steiger
Franco Nero
Henry Fonda
CinematographyRoberto Gerardi
Edited byFranco Fraticelli
Music byEnnio Morricone
Release date
  • 1974 (1974)
Running time
135 minutes
CountryItaly
LanguagesItalian
German

Plot summary
See also: Death of Benito Mussolini

In 1945, Benito Mussolini goes to Milan to talk with Archbishop Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster to request his help in escaping from Italy. The Republic of Salò, the last bastion of fascism, is decaying, and the Americans, along with the partisans are about to win control of Milan. Mussolini flees, pursued by his lover Claretta Petacci, and manages to get to the northern village of Dongo. There he clashes with the Germans, who order him to disguise himself as an officer of Germany rather than be captured by the partisans. Mussolini accepts without objection, always hoping for a revolt of his loyal fascists, but they are in jeopardy. When Mussolini is recognised, Walter Audisio, the leader of the partisans, initially wants to hand him over to the Americans, so that Mussolini undergoes due process. But the war crimes of the Duce are too great, so Audisio makes the decision to shoot him in front of the Villa Belmonte in the village of Giulino, along with his female companion.

Cast

Bibliography
  • Angelo Paratico: Ben. Mursia, 2010.

References
  1. Celli, C.; Cottino-Jones, M. (2007). A New Guide to Italian Cinema. Springer. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-230-60182-6.


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