Original subtitles

Roma was restored from the 35 mm negative

held at the Cineteca di Bologna.

After its first screening in Rome in 1972,

Fellini, his producer, and his screenwriter, Bernardino Zapponi,

shortened some scenes for the international market.

Traces of that footage remain only in the production documentation

and the positive print archived at the Deposito Legate.

This is the version made for the international market.

The film was restored in 2010 by L'lmmagine Ritrovata.

- He wrote from America. - What's he say?

They eat everything out of cans over there.

My first image of Rome was this time-worn stone

rising from the fields just outside of town.

Later on, at school,

we boys learned other interesting things about Rome.

This is the Rubicon...

the river Julius Caesar crossed, saying...

"Alea iacta est!"

Take off your shoes, boys.

Let us cross together.

Alea iacta est!

To Rome!

"This fascist shit, his head is split. Half a head, they say.

Crossed the Rubicon one day and lost his balls along the way.

Now we've got another meanie by the name of Mussolini.

Julius Caesar took a chance, led his army into France.

In those days the French were Gauls and Caesar was a man with balls."

Bring me then Metellus Cimber's petition...

Speak, hands, for me!

Et tu, Brute?

My son...

Julius Caesar...

Excuse me, sir, but last night you had us all in tears.

What a performance!

Eternal gratitude to our humble web-footed friends...

...to our humble web-footed friends with their excited quacking.

It's always that one, sir.

They woke the soldiers,

who took up their weapons and saved Rome.

Descendants of those same geese are right outside.

Calm down!

Return to your seats!

I won't tolerate this racket! Back to your seats!

You're not in the slums! You're in school!

Barbetti! Stacchiotti! Ballazzi! I'll kill you!

...in saecula saeculorum, amen. On your feet.

Rings.

Napkins down.

March.

Silence. Order.

Order and silence.

The bronze she-wolf on Capitoline Hill.

Santa Maria Maggiore, one of four Roman basilicas.

The tomb of Caecilia Metella on the Appia Antica.

The Arch of Constantine.

The Altar of the Fatherland.

St. Peter's, the Holy Mother Church's greatest temple.

Turn it off!

Turn on the lights!

Don't look!

It's the devil!

Whoever looks will go to hell! Close your eyes!

It's the devil!

On your feet!

O sun rising joyful and free

Tame your steeds upon our hills

Church bells are the voice of God.

Ma'am, the radio! A papal blessing!

Just bring the soup, you idiot!

Severino, it's a papal blessing.

So put it on the salad!

- Shame on you. You'll go to hell. - Stay where you are.

On your knees. Pay no attention to your no-good father.

I'll kill her!

No need to push, folks. There are plenty of seats.

Three adults, two children, one maid.

Full price for a maid?

I'll be damned!

Adele, keep an eye on that kid. Carmela, the baby!

Quiet down!

There are three showings. Come back later.

May the gods smile upon you, Pompeo.

I have come to bid you farewell.

With that adventuress, Priscilla the Christian?

I have a generous nature, but vengeance is a temptress.

- Be on your guard, both of you. - I love her.

No! Have mercy!

Let me go!

Seats! Hurry, Adele!

Leonina, sit there!

- My wife's purse was on that seat! - Purses don't count.

Carmela, down here!

Sir, you are an ill-mannered boor!

You don't seem to realize who I am. I'm the school principal!

I order you to be quiet and sit down!

In Rome, the assembly on October 28

took place in an atmosphere of fervent enthusiasm.

The entire city turned out to greet our leader and proclaim its faith

in the glorious destiny of the imperial fatherland.

His Excellency Scipione De Carolis joined in jumping through the hoop.

What a man!

Sons of the She-wolf and members of Fascist Youth

marched to songs of the revolution,

followed by a box lunch that included bread,

famous Italian cheeses, and delicious hibiscus tea.

In Florence, the magnificent stone walls of the Pitti Palace

seem to smile in the warm spring sunshine.

This lady was the wife of the local pharmacist.

Everyone said she was worse than Messalina.

You never have to jerk off. That's what's nice about Rome.

No one knows you. You're completely free.

And what are Roman women like?

Roman women? They've got asses like this!

Porter here!

Don't be a jerk. Run home to mommy.

Don't worry. I'm going.

Get your lottery tickets here!

Become a millionaire!

Get your cushions here!

Coming through! Watch it!

- Need a lighter, kid? - Thanks, I've got one.

How about some first-class English wool?

- Where you staying? - Via Albalonga.

How about a room with private entrance and a cute French girl?

No, thanks.

Hotel Dragoni!

Albergo Roma.

Hotel Excelsior.

Pensione Aurora.

Pensione Paradiso.

Cesarì, you old son of a gun!

Four lira a pound for veal. What's this world coming to?

Prices keep going up.

You just can't win.

O sailor moon Love is sweet but can't be learned

And if you have your doubts...

- I'm looking for the Palletta family. - Fourth floor.

- The elevator's broken. - Thanks.

Davide, I'll slap you!

You idiot!

You always do it wrong!

Where can I find the Palletta family?

Thank you.

He says, "You kidding me, or are you really stupid?"

"What do you mean?"

"You must be kidding." I say, "What do you mean?"

- So? - What do you mean, so?

The homage to the Unknown Soldier took place at 1.'00 p.m...

I'm gonna throw the cat out the window!

...with His Excellency Count Racobelli in attendance

and Monsignor Troisi Ragusa representing the Holy See.

Hey, listen!

Hi there. Could you call your mother?

Hello?

Anyone home?

Antonietta, I did it!

Stay there a minute. Someone's here.

- I'll be right there. - I did it!

Signora, the young man is here

whose mother wrote you from up north.

Shall I show him in?

Hello.

I was making pasta. Let me help you.

Come in. Make yourself at home.

The signora isn't feeling well.

This way.

She has an inflamed ovary.

I'll set it here and show you around.

Come on.

I hope you don't mind children. We've got lots of 'em.

This is the dining room. Florentine furniture.

Nice, huh?

That's the signora's eldest son. He's starting work as a clerk.

Why did you have to go to the beach?

- Why shouldn't I have gone? - Did you have to go at noon?

- When, then? - My poor baby.

Bad sunburn, huh?

You have a fever?

I think so.

Nice shirt.

Thank you.

You afraid of Chinamen?

We have one here. Even has kitchen privileges.

Hello? Why don't you open the window when you cook?

What a stench!

Bucatini amatriciana.

You like eat? Very good.

Let me by. I feel sick.

Bucatini all'amatriciana - for pigs!

Shall I show him the kitchen?

Yes, honey. Do that.

Lord, what did I do to deserve such suffering?

The kitchen's this way.

- After you. - No, please. After you.

I did it!

I did it!

All right! Stop shouting!

Just a minute.

Good afternoon.

- What did you bring me? - What do you want?

You think there's going to be war?

- Wanna see the little granny? - That's why I've come.

Follow me.

She's littler than us kids.

Give me those scissors!

Little granny, look who's here!

- Bless you. - Same to you.

Bet your granny's not that small!

- What's this? - It's my room.

- I haven't tidied up yet. - Nice and sunny.

Put those scissors down!

Good afternoon. Marco Landi's the name.

Recognize me? I made my debut with Camerini.

I worked a lot with Gennaro Righelli.

I'm usually the playboy.

I was the butler in Heartthrob.

But you're much too young to remember.

You're a reporter, right? I could grant you an interview.

I'm not working quite yet.

My friends, we have a reporter among us.

I presume you'll be staying here.

Enjoy your lunch.

I refuse to believe that the people of Great Britain,

who've never had a quarrel with Italy,

would lead Europe into a catastrophe

just to defend an African nation...

The resemblance is amazing.

...universally denounced and without a trace of civilization,

against this nation of heroes, artists, poets, saints...

- Lucrezia! - What is it, Ma?

Send the young man in here.

- Antonietta, she wants to see him. - All right.

Young man, follow me.

If the Mediterranean is but a shortcut for England,

for Italy it is life itself.

Keep still or you'll knock me over!

May I come in?

Come in...

and bring him with you.

You're so young and distinguished-looking.

You'll like it here.

Your mother wrote me, poor woman.

- Did you show him around? - Of course. He likes it.

Good. You look like a nice boy. You can go now.

Ah, one more thing.

Look me in the eyes. No fooling around in this house!

We're churchgoing people. We respect others and ask for respect in return.

I wouldn't come to your house and do anything filthy.

So let's all get along and not bust each other's balls.

Ma, I don't want to eat today.

Not even a teeny bite? Just look at you!

Can I lie next to you?

Why didn't you just stay home?

We brought two chickens with us.

You kids want me to throw you in the oven?

Hurry up with the food!

We're going to Ostia to eat later.

Where'd you disappear to? Siberia?

I hope you drop dead!

You brought back the same thing? I'll flatten you!

Fernà, get down here! We're waiting for you!

These apricots are like testicles!

Hey, come sit with us!

Marcë, give him a chair. You're family now.

Would you like to sit here with my friends?

I'll put the kid over here.

Go on. Sit down.

You know the saying: "The devil takes whoever eats alone."

...cannolicchi cheese and pepper, penne in hot sauce...

- What do you think? - Try the cannolicchi.

No, I had that for lunch. What else is there?

How about rigatoni in anchovy sauce?

Spit out that gum. We're eating!

And you keep still!

Fettuccine with chicken giblets, bucatini carbonara.

And then there are our specialties...

Maybe the schiaffoni?

A small portion for me. My stomach's been bothering me.

Mama's cooking tonight. She made the pajata.

- Take my advice. Try it. - What is it?

Calf intestines filled with milk.

Remo, take good care of the young man.

Try some of these!

They're not snails. They're pigeons.

Giggetto, where are our bananas?

We're all out. Just one left.

- Then give me that. - You think I'm crazy?

- Is that Lallo's daughter? - Whose do you think? The priest's?

So big! And so cute! Can't tell her face from her behind.

In my dream I asked Aunt Giuditta for the winning numbers...

Then she cooked some broccoli with mint...

You know the saying:

"The more you eat, the more you shit."

I told you no tripe for him.

He's had a fever since yesterday.

Then give him some snails.

- It almost killed him. - Then I guess it'll kill me too.

All that talk of loving me

You were lying through your teeth

If you really loved me...

Give her a drink to shut her up!

- Cheers! - Drink up.

We're eating!

Fernà, get down here!

Stop your little act and get down here!

I'll let you have it! Get down here!

Get down here!

Go tell your sister to get down here or I'll throw her off that balcony.

Talk about a small portion. The plate's practically empty.

Just try it. It's out of this world!

Me too, me too!

Here you go, kid.

Buon apetito!

- Buon apetito. - Thank you. Say thank you.

Slow down or you'll choke to death!

No one's gonna steal your plate!

Something's been repeating on me since yesterday morning.

Silvano, here she is! I brought her down.

Finally!

Miss "You Bore Me" has finally arrived.

Now what's the matter with her?

- Let's make up. - Leave me alone.

Open that sweet little mouth. Come on.

You stupid shit!

You're the stupid shit, not me.

You're both stupid shits!

Too much mint in the snails, Laura.

- Is that so? - And not enough hot peppers.

You have to try our specialty.

Watch carefully.

I'll use a pin.

They say with one bite you're up like a shot.

You'll have to ask your girlfriend.

I never eat snails in restaurants.

Only when I fix them myself.

I soak them for four days first.

You can suck them clean.

But I wouldn't touch those.

Don't mind her. In Rome we say...

"Whatever you eat, it all turns to shit."

And what you eat tastes like shit. Excuse me.

"Mary had a little sheep With the sheep she went to sleep

The sheep turned out to be a ram Mary had a little lamb"

What's she saying?

Will you listen to that?

Some mother you are, teaching her that!

You taught her, not me.

I didn't teach her nothing.

"Pinocchio's nose was long, just as long as Pinocchio's dong."

Maestro, give me a "la."

Little iris blossom

There's none more beautiful than you

Little pea blossom

Let's drink to the young man's health

All together now!

Contributions for the orphans.

We already gave.

I'll take that.

What a beauty!

Eat up! We don't believe in leftovers.

- Look at that! - Stop that!

What about the Rome of today?

What impression does it make on a first-time visitor?

Let's approach on the superhighway,

the inescapable Grande Raccordo Anulare

that circles the city like one of Saturn's rings.

Scaratti in midfield?

Christ! We'll never win.

- Five-zero. - Your team is trash!

Jerks!

- Pino, much longer? It's about to rain. - Just a minute.

Tough life, eh, pansy boys?

Hold on tight.

Fuckin' assholes!

We're gonna stomp the shit out of you today!

Can you hear me?

Raise the crane as high as you can.

Move along!

Kick the ruling class out on its ass!

Pino...

- tell me what you see. - Piazza di Siena.

A tourist bus is coming in. Want me to follow it?

Yeah, try to follow it.

You want a picture? I'll take it for you.

You're a lovely woman. It'll make a nice picture.

Don't move. Smile.

Pino, what are you framing now?

- Domes and bell towers. - It's beautiful from up here!

You see the whole city: the piazzas, the streets,

people on their way to work.

On their way to work? Then it ain't Rome!

Must be some other city.

Yeah, right! We break our backs all day!

This isn't Rome anymore.

Everyone's gone crazy. Everyone's in a hurry.

They've turned mean. The real Romans have disappeared.

Don't think so? Just look around.

Nothing but filthy hippies, students who won't study,

transvestites, drug addicts, trash of every kind.

You're forgetting that your film will be seen abroad.

If you show the usual perverts and streetwalkers and other filth,

what will they think of our lovely Rome?

- We want to ask you something. - What?

Will your film show Rome from an objective point of view

and its eternally unresolved problems?

And we don't just mean the educational system.

Labor too. Problems in factories and housing.

Don't show us the same old colorful, easygoing, slovenly, maternal Rome.

Or the usual apathy and indifference.

I have to be true to my own nature.

Lunch is here!

Pino, what do you see now?

The train station and a small dome.

Ah, it's the dome of the old Barafonda Theater.

That's the kind of thing I'd like to show -

a variety show at the Barafonda Theater

30 years ago, at the beginning of the war.

I'll be damned! You're here too?

Move your big feet.

What do you say, Spino? How's it goin'?

Gimme a light.

Just 'cause you ate some glass don't mean you're a window!

Poor guy's never seen that before.

Don't look too hard. You'll hurt yourself.

Move those clodhoppers.

Ciriola, how do you like that?

Good-lookin', ain't she?

Hey, Pericle!

Ding-Dong, what do you want?

Shove that spotlight up your ass.

Here I am, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening.

Most acts start with a joke or two first.

Get off the stage.

I don't tell jokes. I'm no good at it.

I'd like to do a few impressions instead.

After my successful tour of Roccasecca, Frascati, Marino, and Zagarolo,

I was honored to perform for the Royal Police Force.

Shall we begin?

First, a man who's overeaten.

I said get off the stage.

You deaf or what? The man said get off the stage.

- Sit down, loudmouth. - Second impression.

A young lady taking a shower. Maestro!

Get off the stage!

Just go away!

I've got a right to make a living, don't I?

Just disappear!

If you don't go, we will.

We'll pretend we enjoyed your act. Now get lost!

I do high-brow material.

Yeah, well, it stinks!

The variety show is a modern-day saturnalia,

a cross between the Circus Maximus and a brothel.

If you're gonna talk dirty, I'm leaving.

I merely mentioned a brothel.

Even Proust gives a lengthy description of a house of ill repute.

You and your Proust!

I have to work too!

So go find a job!

Maestro, next number.

Is that funny or what?

You guys are really making me laugh.

I'm laughing so hard it hurts.

The bastards won't let decent people enjoy an evening of theater.

- He's an artiste! - Son of a bitch!

I heard a little noise

Coming from the audience

Why don't you get lost?

What do you want from me, lady?

Drop it already!

I bought a ticket to enjoy the show,

so shut up and leave me alone.

You trying to bust our balls?

- Go fuck yourself. - Kiss my ass.

- Lady, please! - He's only human.

We're all human, but we don't go around doing that.

She's gonna get my purse in her face!

That son of a bitch!

I'll bust your head open, asshole!

You nuts or something? It wasn't me!

Look around, ya big elephant!

You back again? I told you it wasn't me.

I'll rip your arms off!

Pipe down, baldy.

Hey, Maestro, see if you can play this.

- Cram it up your ass! - How about this one?

Up your mother's too!

And now for the best part:

amateur hour.

Where'd that big muscular fellow go?

He was right here.

Did you shrink? Born premature?

Looks he was born before he was conceived.

- What's your name? - Alvaro.

- What do you do? - Tap dance.

- I mean in real life. - I'm an electrician.

So getting shocked all the time taught you to dance!

Ladies and gentlemen, Alvaro!

My impression of Fred Astaire.

Help!

I feel sick!

Help!

I feel sick! Help!

Hey, Chiodo, it's here.

It's here!

Give it here.

Let him have it.

Make yourself a fur coat, Fred Astaire.

Lose your dinner, asshole?

Double time, Maestro.

I'd have made you eat the damned cat!

- Your father wears horns! - At least he wasn't queer like yours.

Same to you. I'll take care of you later.

Come here, honey.

- What's your name? - Loredana Fiorini.

- What will you sing? - "You Stole My Heart."

"You Stole My Heart." Wiseass.

Fat slob!

You big pile of shit!

You have a match, young man?

Why do they let her sing?

Poor girl should stay home and do the dishes.

Whatever happened to art?

I feel sorry for the poor girl.

I hope I didn't disturb you.

We'd like to talk to you for a minute.

You got me confused with someone else.

You're making a big mistake.

Move it.

Because you stole my heart

Now, ladies and gentlemen, the Three Kants.

I said "Kants."

Get your minds out of the gutter,

filthy perverts!

Pretty little lady

You pass by every morning

Dashing among the crowd

Sing "Trotta Cavallino"!

Pretty little lady

You're a cheeky one

But you blush deep red should a young man

Make eyes at you and whisper a flattering word

And then go on his way

Pipe down!

You wanna hear it that bad?

I like it. It's a nice song, right?

Her blond hair is like strands of gold

And her breath is like perfume

And her beautiful eyes

Are dark and deep

As she looks my way

Oh, that family down the hall!

No others can compete

From dawn to dusk they sing

Bright and clear, loud and sweet

Papa joins in too

But he just can't keep the beat!

Make way, for here she comes!

The beautiful Roman lass

Enchants them all

As she walks by

Your attention, please!

We interrupt the show to bring you good news.

The Fatherland comes first!

The radio just broadcast the following war bulletin.

On your feet, please.

"The enemy's attack on Sicily that began last night,

backed by heavy naval and air support, including paratroopers,

was dealt a setback by our combined forces

fighting in southeastern Italy.

Italian and German artillery downed seven aircraft

and damaged three freighters.

This treacherous attack will be crushed

and the enemy thrown into the sea

for the glory of the Fatherland and Il Duce."

Long live Italy!

Maramao, why did you die?

You had plenty of bread and wine

You had a garden full of food

And a roof above your head

"Maramao" All your kitty girlfriends cry

Man and wife

Today the dream is coming true

We're man and wife

Everything we see looks brand-new

Every flower takes on a brighter hue

We're man and wife at last

My love

Off, off, off we go

We're taking to the high seas

And laughing in death's face

Come to me, baby!

Here's what I'd do with you, beautiful!

That's enough outta you. Sit down!

Can I help it if I like women?

Watch how you talk to my father!

I'd sit down if I was you!

I love you, angel eyes,

you and your big fat ass!

Isn't that the siren?

Air raid!

It's an air raid!

The audience is requested to proceed

to the air raid shelter at number 104.

Whose kid is this? Who gave me this kid?

Please keep calm.

Romolo, the chorus girls!

Kill that light!

What time is it?

I was sound asleep till that idiot woke me up.

What did you say? "That idiot"?

No, nothing.

Speak up. What did you mean by that?

- He didn't mean anything. - Nothing at all.

It's unforgivable!

Certain people ought to be ashamed.

With our country united on the verge of victory,

you still hear defeatist remarks!

Shame on you!

Fascist Italy! Il Duce!

They're our only hope.

We have to win... and we will!

Of course.

You want a cigarette?

Smoke ruin my voice. No very good.

- Oh, you sing? - Yes.

I learn in my city, Düsseldorf.

Have you been in Italy long?

I been to Roma, Milano, Bergamo, Como.

This Hans, oldest son.

This my husband in Russia.

Wehrmacht.

You come rest a little with me?

My pensione close by.

They won't bomb Rome. The pope's in Rome!

Good night, Anita.

Might as well say good morning.

What's that booming sound?

They're bombing us!

Help! Help!

They're bombing us!

Help!

Alberto's house is gone! The children!

Help!

May I film that?

If you like.

It's a perfectly preserved mammoth's tusk,

found during work on the Piazza Re di Roma station.

The Capitoline Museum has asked for it.

Shall we go down? This way.

What was that?

The Roman subsoil is unpredictable.

Every hundred yards we come across some important find.

That affects our work, of course.

This is an enormously complicated job.

We simply wanted to resolve the traffic problem

by building a subway like in Munich or Dublin,

but with eight layers to the subsoil here,

we had to become experts in archeology and speleology.

The first time the need for a subway in Rome was discussed

was in 1871.

- You mean 1971. - No, exactly 100 years ago.

Roman bureaucracy is even more unpredictable than the subsoil.

The paperwork that's gone back and forth

would fill the entire length of the subway.

We're passing beneath the Appio Quarter.

- Agenore, what's that? - Nina!

My God, it's an earthquake!

Agenore!

Dear God!

Michele, take a look.

Where are we now?

Beneath the old Appian Way, not far from Porta San Sebastiano.

To your left you can hear the roar of an underground river.

It surfaces about six miles from here,

in a place called "Cessati Spiriti."

When will the whole subway system be completed?

I don't know.

How many hours do they work down here?

Ten hours at a stretch, I think.

We had to change course once again right here.

To your left is a necropolis with 400 skeletons.

Third layer.

Track 22!

Rinaldo, the current in the right channel has gone down!

Stop!

Stop!

Sir, I think we've run into another hollow chamber.

It's been showing on the gauge for two days.

We have to suspend work again, sir.

- What's happened? - Come look at the gauge.

We've got a hollow chamber

bigger than the one in the Alban Hills!

What's wrong, Amerigo? Don't you feel well?

I don't know.

Ragü, the right wheel!

The right wheel!

Stop the drill!

Now we know it's hollow on the other side.

The archaeologists will make us stop work for a few months.

It could be a cavern or some catacombs.

We could try carefully testing the wall in different spots.

Start up the cutter.

Stop the cutter.

We can go down here, sir.

A Roman house

from 2,000 years ago.

- Michele, look at their faces. - Keep your mask on.

It's like they're watching us.

Look! Shine the light over there!

There!

Hey, look at this!

What's happening?

The frescoes are fading.

It's the air from outside.

Michele!

The fresh air is destroying the frescoes!

How awful!

What can we do? We have to do something!

Do something!

For these disenchanted youngsters

huddled together like puppies,

making love isn't a problem.

Maybe they do it, maybe they don't.

It isn't the complicated problem it was for us,

when our amorous yearnings led us to the nearest brothel.

Remember?

Come on, move!

No fuckin' around, you lousy bums!

You act like you just got outta jail. Go screw your grandmother!

How old are you? Let me see your ID.

Let's go! Upstairs!

You gonna stand around all day?

Are you blind or what?

Can't you see the tongue she's got on her?

Make up your minds, gramps!

You all asleep on your feet?

Enough of this shit!

I'm gonna turn out the lights and kick everyone out!

You got blood in your veins or water?

All these girls are artists. You guys blind?

Get your asses upstairs!

Let me by.

Come on, boys. Get upstairs.

What are you waiting for? The young ladies are all here.

Teresa, is my cappuccino coming?

Yeah, I sent out for it.

- You coming? Yes or no? - Come on, soldier boy.

Hey, sailor.

You gonna make me sleep alone?

Rita, turn around!

You're the last woman I'd go with!

Go catch the next train back to Naples, fuck-face!

Come on, honey!

Did those shots work?

If you're gonna stand around jacking off, do it at home!

What kind of men are you?

Keep waiting and it's gonna drop off from old age.

We're gonna close soon.

They're all pretty! They're real artists!

- Is Dolores back? - Where's my cappuccino?

Who wants a taste of Florence? That's a good boy.

Look at these tits!

Must weigh 40 pounds each.

Ugly, skinny bitch!

- Why'd you go upstairs, then? - Two.

I'm the best, boys. Let's go!

I'll throw you down the stairs three at a time!

I'm gonna let you have it!

Come on! Come on!

Well? How about it?

Come on upstairs!

Come on, let's go!

- Maria has it in for you. - Where'd my nightgown go?

Thieving bitch!

Nives, calm down.

Wanna come upstairs, handsome?

Come on. Let's go.

Shut up! You can pack up and get out tonight!

Two monkeys!

Let the lady by!

You think you're a goddamn cop?

Ladies, up to your rooms.

Everyone out, please.

The ladies are going to eat.

We're closing.

Turn out the lights.

Go get some fresh air. We're closed.

Everyone out!

Time to go home.

Everyone out.

Time to go home!

I'm not your sister, buddy!

But there were also high-class houses

that set our hearts pounding like at school exams.

Sit down.

What's everyone so quiet about?

This'll never do.

Who wants to come up for a game of chess?

How are you, honey? Don't you love me today?

I woke up in the mood for love.

Who's gonna be first? Come on.

Here I am.

Let's not waste time. Let's get up to my room.

Come on!

Babies, you afraid of mama? Let's go!

I'm going up to bed. Last chance, fellas.

I'm all on fire!

Where do you think you are? This isn't your living room!

All I want is one good man.

iVamos! Who wants a taste of Spain?

Let's go, muchachos.

A good man is hard to find but a hard man is good to find

Come on!

Shame on you, my little babies!

Who nailed your feet to the floor?

Daddy, have I got something in my eye?

Where's my sailor who can handle his rudder?

Where's my nice little sailor?

I'm quivering, boys.

I can't even think straight! Tell me what to do.

Quit pretending.

I've seen you here before, stupid.

Gentlemen, don't keep these beautiful ladies waiting.

Clear the stairway! Close the doors!

You can't leave now. I'm not losin' my job over you.

Must be some big shot.

Gentlemen, please remain where you are

and don't leave the room for the next five minutes.

Very well.

Ladies, upstairs to your rooms, please.

Quickly, please.

Thank you.

- Who is it? The mayor? - Who knows? Maybe so.

Maybe so, I don't know

I don't know, maybe so

Experience, my dear. That's what counts in life.

If your son's experienced, he'll never have any problems.

I think that dark-haired guy wants you.

But if your son's not experienced,

the world will screw him over. Isn't that right?

It's true. Doris is right.

Not always.

You're very beautiful, you know.

- Where are you from? - Santa Maria la Bruna.

- Where's that? - Near Pompeii.

- Is that your son? - Yes, that's my son.

How long have you been...?

Two years.

Pardon my asking, but how did you happen to -

I was all alone, and Assuntina said, "Come join us.

You'll like it. I'll introduce you."

Will you lace me up?

To tell the truth, I can't complain.

The signora likes me. I have everything I need.

So you wouldn't want to leave here?

To do what?

Haven't you ever fallen in love? Haven't you ever met someone -

Sure I have.

This is where it got me.

Listen, could we see each other sometime?

Do you ever go out?

Some morning. Whenever you want.

We could go to the beach for lunch.

I'm serious. I'd like to take you out.

Let's make a date.

Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?

Have you ever heard of Princess Domitilla?

Her mother Fabiola, her grandfather Eugenio,

and her ancestors still further back

were all born in this ancient palazzo where Domitilla lives alone today.

Salvatore! Domenico!

Can't you hear the carriage? He's here.

Go.

At last.

Your Eminence! Thank you so much.

Princess!

Please.

It's good to see you all again.

Good evening.

I hope you're all well, by the grace of God.

You must be Francesca.

- Yes, I'm Francesca. - These poor old eyes.

And is this rascal still causing his mother trouble?

When youth runs out, we turn to the Lord.

If it isn't little Filippo!

You used to drink the communion wine out of the vials!

Who are these little devils? Augustarello's children?

How are you?

You and I have met. I gave you your First Communion.

This little blond boy I've never seen. Your name?

- Giulio. - Are you a good boy?

I bet only when you're asleep.

And now it's off to bed, eh?

Good night, children, and God bless you.

If Your Eminence will come this way.

My friends, please sit down.

Princess, even today there was an audience with people

who wanted to tell the pope how to run the church.

What can you do but be patient?

"Wisdom comes from patience," as they say in Rome.

Your Eminence, do you remember

when you'd lead the Stations of the Cross on the villa grounds?

What a sight it was,

all those candles flickering in the night air!

Please.

My friends, please be seated.

Peppino, Gervasio, you may begin serving.

Ah, here you are at last!

What would you like, Your Eminence?

- A crëme de menthe is so refreshing. - I knew it!

Here we are.

- Your Excellency. - Why not?

What would you like, Monsignor?

You know, when I was a boy, I was quite a little rascal.

What did he say?

He was quite the young rascal.

Mama would make a liqueur just like this,

but she had to hide it from me to save it for guests.

When she was out, I'd climb up and drink it out of the bottle.

Your Eminence, I can't believe it.

I'm sure you were a saint even then.

A long life to His Eminence.

So much time has gone by.

Everything seems so faraway, so different.

It's painful to end my life in a city that's no longer mine.

The Rome I knew was different.

People were nicer, more respectful.

We all knew each other.

Monsignors, cardinals, and the pope himself

were all friends or relatives.

Those close ties with the church are gone now.

The wonderful receptions we used to give

in our villas and palazzos...

with all those red-robed cardinals wandering around the place.

It was like living in a painting.

And Christmastime!

I suddenly remember the little presents

that Monsignor Altieri would give me.

Wax statuettes, crosses of woven straw,

and yards of velvet for our manger.

All of it gone now, lost over the years.

Where could all those little wax statues have gone?

Our ecclesiastical fashion show welcomes His Eminence

and all our other illustrious guests.

Model No. 1

is a habit of classical design in black satin for novices.

The same model may be executed in other fabrics

such as silk or wool to suit the season.

The boots in leather and suede come in black or navy blue

and are suitable for harsher climates.

Model No. 2: "immaculate turtledoves."

Starched cap with free-flapping wings,

invaluable for interiors with poor ventilation.

Model No. 3: "Little Sisters of the Temptations in Purgatory."

The world must follow the church, and not vice versa.

Moving on to sportier models:

ever quicker to paradise!

Model No. 6, for country priests.

Sacristans' garb for ceremonies of pomp and splendor.

Priestly vestments too have evolved:

Amices, copes,

surplices, stoles, and chasubles

are produced today in materials of gossamer lightness

and in a range of vivid colors

guaranteed not to fade.

One, two...

three, go!

What the hell do we care

If the owner has watered down the wine

We'll just tell him

We're not gonna pay

And we'll let him know

As one voice, loud and clear

It's better drinking in Castelli

Than with this rotten crowd!

Balloons of every color!

First he wants a drink because he has to eat an egg,

then another while he's eating the egg,

then another for eating the egg!

Won't all those eggs make him sick?

Balloons for the children...

and for the child in all of us.

What the hell do you want?

Fresh watermelon!

These guys film all over the place but don't pay anyone!

Oil is perfect for fish.

This pork is from genuine Ariccia pig!

How about a slice?

Beautiful silk scarves here.

Scarves of pure silk.

Let Gramps sleep! Why bring him along?

Make way because here we come

The young men of Rome

Torquato, some gasoline!

Gasoline!

Antique paintings! Fancy frames!

Very cheap!

I'm going back to the cemetery tomorrow. Wanna come?

They gave him a nice spot.

Hey, lowlifes! Where you goin'?

Why not come eat here?

Shorty, where you takin' that tall number?

That's your wife?

Then come buy her a decent meal for a change!

As the wine rushes down your throat

It makes a gurgling sound

To put it short and sweet...

A good meal, a glass of wine

Everything else takes care of itself

Our Rome! My Rome!

They're stealing your soul away

Checco, did you have to give us a table

next to the stinking manhole?

That's the smell of history, honey.

You shit! I'll slit your belly open!

They go at it every night!

I'll kill you!

It's Gore Vidal, the American writer. Let's go talk to him.

Good evening, Mr. Vidal. May we disturb you for a moment?

You ask me why an American writer

would want to live in Rome.

First of all, I like the Romans.

They don't care if you live or die.

They're indifferent, like cats.

Rome is the city of illusions.

After all, the church, the government,

and the film industry are all based here.

They all produce illusions...

like you do and like I do.

The end of the world is coming ever closer

- because of overpopulation. - By Americans!

Too many cars, too many poisons.

What better place than Rome, which has been reborn so often?

What place could be more peaceful

to await the end from pollution and overpopulation?

It's the perfect place to watch if it all ends or not.

To the end!

Clear the piazza!

We're not bothering anyone!

Hurry up! Move it!

I'd like to make this clear.

Despite the recent incredibly permissive laws

that protect the guilty more than the innocent,

the firm measures taken by the police

have kept to an acceptable minimum

the outbreak of delinquency

in a city and society where protest movements, drugs,

and the frenzied pursuit of wealth

are regarded as legitimate goals.

They were minding their own business! You have no right!

I'm a witness! Have you gone mad?

My dear lady, they're filthy layabouts.

All they think about is making love.

Don't worry. They're not really hurting them.

He's beating the hell out of him!

Are you fighting or dancing? You boys engaged or what?

You're a nobody!

He could tear you all to pieces! He's a champ!

The camera! Someone swiped the camera!

Someone stole the camera!

This lady you see walking home along the wall of an old patrician palazzo

is the Roman actress Anna Magnani.

She might well be a living symbol of this city.

What am I?

Rome as she-wolf and vestal virgin,

aristocrat and tramp, somber and festive.

I could go on till morning.

Federì, go get some sleep.

- May I ask you a question? - No, I don't trust you. Ciao.

Good night.