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This is Radio Rome. EIAR, Rome One station.

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

Newsflash. War bulletin.

The German High Command has issued the following communiqué:

'At the Cassino front, German tank corps victoriously counterattacked...

... to break our line of defense.

The enemy is now using negro troops and other colored mercenaries...

... in their vain attempts to advance'.

We have broadcast the war bulletin...

... issued by the High Command of the German Forces.

On the political front, it has been learned from neutral Stockholm and Lisbon sources...

... that the so-called Allies are becoming increasingly divided.

The Americans have accused the English of starving Europe.

Churchill has been accused by British opposition leaders...

... of becoming a slave of Wall Street, and of Jewish financial interests.

We remind our listeners that curfew falls at 7 p.m.

Starting tomorrow, bread rations will be reduced to...

Fuck you!

ADAPTED FROM ROBERT KATZ'S BOOK "DEATH IN ROME"

This is where you should start feeling fear.

No matter how carefully you cut the dust away...

... you inevitably remove some painting with it...

... destroyed by the edge of your scraper.

And the loss of even an infinitesimal bit of a true work of art must scare you.

So, tremble as much as you like...

... but when you're ready, cut decisively, sure of every stroke.

No.

The Father General is here, with two other gentlemen.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1944.

Good morning, Father Pancrazio.

- Good morning, Father Antonelli. - Good morning.

Good morning. Please.

Father Antonelli, there seems to have been a regrettable misunderstanding.

- Our friends... - May I?

My dear professor, last year you were entrusted...

... with the restoration of Masaccio's Crucifixion here at the Institute.

- Two years ago. - Two years ago.

It was displayed last month at the Staatliche Museum in Berlin.

Really? I didn't know.

Unfortunately, something rather disagreeable has occurred.

One of our experts, one of Germany's very best...

... seems to be of the opinion that it was a...

A fake.

Strange...

A very good one to be sure, but of slightly more recent vintage.

According to the experts, the panel itself is early 15th century...

... when Masaccio was in Florence.

But chromatographic analysis has revealed...

... that this Masaccio was painted no more than two years ago.

Father Antonelli, do you paint?

May I know the name of this expert?

Ziegler of Stuttgart. You know him, right?

Only by name. One of the greatest art forgers in Europe.

Then we may assume that he's an authority on the subject.

I've been working in restoriation for many years.

It wouldn't be the first time I heard...

... of an original denounced as a forgery, and vice-versa.

Let us simply say...

... an error was made on the part of whoever sent the painting.

He mistook the copy for the original.

I sent the painting, I packed it myself when I was ordered to ship it to Germany.

Then it will be easy for you to prove its authenticity.

I fervently hope so.

The people of Germany have taken Masaccio to their heart.

It would be cruel to disillusion them, would it not Father?

Of course. You will...

... you will look into it immediately. Will you not?

It was a mistake...

Yes, and every man is entitled to a mistake.

Only once, however. - I shall do everything possible.

The impossible too, let us hope.

Church has always thrived on doing the impossible.

Do you know who are those people, Father?

Mom!

Mom...

On the 17th of March you went into a hiding place

... near the Risorgimento Bridge to remove a wireless transmitter...

... which you used for contacting the headquarters...

... of the American Fifth Army and the Partisan Movement in the Lazio region.

Nothing to say?

What would you do in my place?

What would you do in mine?

- I'd have you shot. - Before I talked?

I didn't think of that. But then, I'm not a policeman.

- You're requested at High Command. - Carry on, Schultz.

Hello?

Yes, yes, Father. It's Father Pancrazio.

You can be sure he wants to talk about Florentine art.

We simply cannot stand in their way.

You must also realize that Colonel Kappler went out of his way and did his best.

If he has to come back tomorrow, he will to do his worst.

They will take away everything.

Down to the very last painting, and the very last restorer.

- Including yourself. - Sure, I know this.

So, we sit here like sheep, watching Rome being plundered...

... in a way that would put the Vandals to shame.

I know, my son, I know.

But you are aware of the mission the Holy Father has given me.

It is one of extreme delicacy: Negotiations with the Germans...

... at the highest level, for the safeguarding of all Rome.

I'm asking you to choose the lesser of two evils.

Are you asking me or is this an order?

An order, Father Antonelli. An order.

I thank you, my son. May Jesus Christ be praised.

May He be praised forever.

What's next?

Should we barricade ourselves inside the Institute...

... and say: "Come and take it if you have the courage"?

If everybody were ready to resist that way, I'd say yes.

The trouble is, people are exhausted, and disillusioned.

Then we'll put up passive resistance.

No. I think it's about time...

... Italians find themselves a national conscience after 20 years of dictatorship.

- Kappler, good of you to come. - You've sent for me, General.

The Duce's new Minister for the Interior, His Excellency...

Guido Buffarini Guidi.

It's said he's the most hated man in Italy.

Hated and feared.

As we say in Italy: Many enemies, much honor.

In that event, Your Excellency, I'm glad to hear...

... we're not the only ones the Italians hate.

My dear Police Chief Caruso! Good of you to come.

Kappler, His Excellency Buffarini came to talk to me...

... about the difficulties you have raised about the celebrations for tomorrow.

The 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Fascist Party.

On the contrary. I raised no difficulties whatsoever...

... providing that the festivities are held only...

- ... behind closed doors. - Which means...

... you have prevented a parade through the streets of Rome...

... by the members of our new Fascist Republican Party.

I assure you I did nothing of the sort.

I simply pointed out that this is hardly the time...

... to provoke the citizens of Rome with a demonstration...

... which they'll find unpopular to say the very least.

Such talk is inadmissible, Colonel!

All Colonel Kappler meant is that he doesn't think...

... that a public demonstration could come off without incident.

Our men will safeguard law and order.

And who will be left to do the parading?

Would Your Excellencies be kind enough to listen to a list...

... of raids and acts of sabotage committed in the last ten days...

... against the German armed forces and our Fascist allies?

We are all aware that there are some criminal elements...

Yes, yes, they're ingenious, audacious and well organized...

... and have a strategy. I know.

- What strategy? - Block our supply lines...

... turn Rome into a hostile territory, make us withdraw.

- Communists! - Communists, Socialists, Anarchists...

Christian-Democrats, Liberals and Monarchists.

Monarchists? Monarchy is dead. The king fled with the traitors.

They will not dare attack a military formation.

Besides, they are divided gangs.

Colonel Dollmann and I have good reason to believe...

... that on the contrary there exists a military council...

... with representatives from every political party...

... except yours, of course.

But we are talking about a parade, Your Excellency.

There are no military formations in Rome. It's an open city.

Rome is swarming with German troops.

Whole divisions pass under the Pope's window every day on their way to the front.

You call that a neutral city?

I do not call it so, indeed. Your leaders do, and so does your Pope.

Therefore, Rome is politically neutral.

Besides, there have been no troop movements for a week.

A column of SS troops has marched past my hotel every day for the past five days.

Who are they, Kappler?

The SS Bozen 11th Company, sent here from the Tyrol quite recently.

Local security is considered by all, including His Holiness to be inadequate.

I've therefore ordered the 11th Company to march daily through the centre...

... for psychological reasons.

But that too will be canceled for tomorrow.

To march on the day of Fascism's glorious anniversary...

... would be useless provocation.

No one would dare attack our troops!

General, I'm forced to insist.

Are you in charge or is this... Colonel?

I am in charge! I am the Commander of Rome!

And there will be no parade tomorrow! It's canceled!

Celebrate whatever you want, but do it indoors!

- Kappler! - General.

- Sit down. - Yes, sir.

You don't like our allies very much, do you?

Are you asking my opinion, sir?

Politics is not strictly my strength, but I would say that Fascism... is dead.

It must disappear so that we can hold onto the last vestiges of our prestige here in Italy.

This means the elimination of Mussolini...

... and if I were ordered, I would know how to go about it.

You say this? You, who organized his rescue!

Our opinions, General, are rarely heard.

- More often, we do as we are told. - Yes! You will do as you are told!

The Fascist parade is canceled, but our SS column continues to patrol.

My boys can take care of themselves, right?

Tomorrow, they march as usual. Tomorrow, they march!

Tomorrow, General, as usual.

Elena will remain here, carrying the raincoat.

Paolo will be here.

The rest here, here and here.

When you get the signal, Paolo, light the fuse.

Walking, Elena will pass you the raincoat and escape here.

They'll be there at 2 o'clock p.m., sharp.

Paolo, remember, you have 45 seconds to 'round the corner.

The fuse burns down in 50.

You can make it in 40... without running.

It's been tried out at least a hundred times.

- Fuses don't always burn the same. - We know that.

Any questions?

This is Radio London. Good evening. I'm Colonel Stevens.

Today, Mr. Hitler ordered the occupation of Hungary...

... another of his former allies. He would of course have preferred...

What has happened to Hungary today, happened to Italy yesterday.

But we are confident that Italy will soon succeed...

... in overcoming its present difficulties.

Act now, my Italian friends, to help yourselves...

... and the Allies will help you. Goodnight.

Now, Dollmann, you've really ruined my appetite...

... by repeating those ghost stories you hear on the BBC.

I'm not the only one.

They tell me there's not a single radio silent when this Colonel Stevens is on the air.

Romans love the way the English speak Italian.

Do not delude yourself, my friend.

I speak to Himmler every morning on the telephone.

Berlin is being bombed every night...

... the Russians move west on a 1000 mile front...

... everyone expects the Allies to invade France any day now.

The Third Reich is sinking, my dear friend.

And we must be sure not to sink with it. Is that what you're saying, Dollmann?

I don't need to make long distance calls to know the score...

... I just keep my eyes open here in Rome.

- And you don't like what you see. - I love Rome, Dollmann.

I love its light, its burnt, decadent colors...

... its crumbling stone.

- In spite of the war. - Perhaps because of the war.

We are Rome's masters, we control it.

For the moment, at least.

It's getting harder. Yesterday our tribunal, a war tribunal...

... acquitted three Italians, two men and a woman...

... who a couple of weeks ago would have been sentenced to death.

Those Wehrmacht gentlemen have also listened to Radio London.

They started reading out lists of so-called war criminals.

I suppose it must be somewhat frightening to hear one's name in those lists.

You frightened, Dollmann?

My name hasn't been mentioned yet. And you, Kappler?

I'm only afraid of disorder.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23.

- Giovanni? - Yes?

I'm looking for Father Pietro Antonelli...

... director of the Institute of Restoration. - That's me.

From Colonel Kappler.

Excuse me.

"I understand that your Institute is short of materials...

... used for artwork restoration.

I've managed to find a can of turpentine.

They tell me it's the right quality for your work.

You needn't have any scruples, this isn't 'plunder'.

If in the meantime you have managed to find the Masaccio...

... you may give it to Captain Priebke...

... unless, of course, you would prefer to deliver it to me in person, formally...

which would give me the pleasure of seeing you again."

GESTAPO AND SECURITY POLICE ROME HEADQUARTERS

Have a seat, please.

- There's the uniform. - We'd better go, or we'll be late.

The Germans are never late. Here's the raincoat.

LONG LIVETHE DUCE

These are all the men I can spare, Caruso.

They should help you maintain order on this happy occasion.

Thank you Colonel, you are a true friend of Italy.

We are all true friends of Italy.

We Germans, the Pope, you Fascists...

... the Allies and the Partisans. All true friends of Italy.

Poor Italy...

I want out! Bastards! Get us out!

- Communists... - Racists! Racists!

Italians.

I won't talk!

- Long live freedom! - I want his name.

I'm sorry I've kept you waiting, Father.

- Only a few minutes. - Thank you for coming.

Thank you for the gift.

Ah, it's Colonel Dollmann you should thank for the gift.

He... we have great friends, in the Gallery of Modern Art.

- Incredible. - Really? Why?

No, I didn't... I meant that the people of the Gallery...

... told me they didn't have any left.

Well, probably you didn't offer them anything in exchange.

I see you've had this all wrapped up ready to be sent.

- If you'd like to check... - No, no, there's no need.

I'm... extremely sorry to be depriving you of it.

I'd be extremely sorry if it were destroyed.

- Half of Europe has been destroyed. - Exactly.

Art is the only means for real communication...

... from one nation to another. From one generation to another.

Only beauty can save the world.

Only beauty, kindness and justice.

- A trinity older than that of the Church. - Yes.

- Would you like to sit down? - Thank you.

I saw you looking at that vase when I came in.

I found it in a bomb crater after an Allied air raid.

- So now war serves archeology? - Well, yes...

Do you think it could be Etruscan?

Perhaps.

More likely, it was brought in from Egypt by Phoenician sailors.

There are some lines from Homer:

"Skilled Sidon chisellers, with their craft, created it;

Phoenician sailors... brought it over the... over...

... mist-veiled seas, to display it in foreign ports."

- Right. - That's surprising.

- A priest who reads Homer. - I read, when I have the time.

So do I, so do I.

We have something in common, Father.

We both read Homer, we both follow our superiors' orders...

... and... we both wear our uniforms honorably.

No, this is not a uniform, Colonel.

You're a soldier of the Church, Father.

Your hypothesis, I say yours, but it's shared by many others...

... is that the normal condition of society is peace.

I believe that the normal condition of society is war.

You call this slaughter normal? I call it the madness of wild animals.

And if your Church were to be attacked by wild animals?

- I'd defend her. - You see, Father, we are very much alike.

Great religions rise and fall because of the deeds of men like you.

Nations and civilizations are defended by men like me.

I'd prefer they didn't need defending.

And I'd prefer a religion that didn't need priests.

Well, I'm sorry, Father, but I have to go.

Very nice of you to come along. Can I drop you anywhere?

- Thanks, I prefer to walk. - Yes, I understand.

It's not a good idea to be seen in the same car as me.

We must be honest with each other, Father. Whatever happens.

Do you know what Picasso said when France surrendered?

"The German generals have beaten the French generals.

I'm a painter. If the German painters want to take me on, I'm ready for them...

Picasso is boring, decadent and empty.

- Do you think he would have won? - He would have won.

The Masaccio.

We'll fatten up the priests, Hitler said years ago...

... and they'll lead the flock.

It won't be too easy to fatten up that priest.

ALSO THE WALLS HAVE EARS

- Hey! No parking here! - Why?

- The Germans pass through here. - Got it!

Hey! What are you doin' 'round here? Who the hell are you?

What do you care?

This is my street.

Well, then you pick up the trash. I'm just passing through.

Where's Emilio?

Oh, he's sick. I'm filling in.

Sick, eh? I had lunch with him... What've you got in there?

Coffee, flour, cigarettes?

You come and see me in Piazza Vittorio around 4 o'clock.

- I'll get you something. - I'll be there, count on it.

Be careful, eh?

Take my advice: Wear your badge right...

If they don't show up in 15, we call it off. Pass around.

VICTORY!

Please, I'm waiting for someone.

Miss...

Nino, come down, I've got a ball! Come to play!

Let's play here. Toss me the ball!

Go play go down there, it's dangerous here!

Are you listening? I'm telling you to go over there now!

Give me back the ball!

- Stop! It's mine! - Come here!

- Let me go! - Get back, now!

Kappler.

I'm coming.

The provocation was challenged.

- I think you'd better come with me. - Where?

Via Rasella, near the Via Veneto.

The 11th Company has apparently ceased to exist.

Stop firing. Stop firing!

Dobrick!

Well, Dobrick?

I don't know what happened. It was... I don't know.

- Any civilian casualty? - There was just us in the street.

All right! Count our dead.

Will you look at that!

Kappler... Kappler!

Your boys have marched, Mälzer... They marched!

Kappler! Revenge, Kappler!

Revenge for those poor boys!

You see Kappler? You see what they've done to my boys?

Here are the results of your... security service!

Here, in this filthy street!

Who's behind this? The British? American spies?

- Italians. - Italians? That's impossible!

I used to love the Italians, Kappler. Now I hate them!

- Dobrick! Where's Dobrick? - Over there.

Dobrick!

Mine this whole street.

I'm going to blow up all these houses. All of them!

- There are people in these houses, sir. - You protect the murderers?

No... All the houses go up! The whole neighborhood!

My boys! My poor boys!

You'll have to calm yourself, sir.

For the sake of the good name of our country.

We are the ones being attacked, we have the moral advantage!

None of that is important to me, don't you understand?

Dobrick, follow my orders!

Up... Keep your hands up!

Up, up!

No, General! Is that what we're here for?

You are responsible for everything, Kappler.

- You will pay for this! - Come away, sir.

This must be reported to the High Command.

Leave Kappler in control of the situation here.

What are we to do with these people, sir?

They will all be shot!

Take them into custody. Hold them for questioning.

- But, the General's orders, sir... - He was upset.

I'll take full responsibility.

- But, sir... - Lieutenant!

Yes sir.

I admire your discretion, Kappler.

The war is ending, we don't want our names on the BBC, do we?

It is essential that I speak to Field Marshal Kesselring!

What? An inspection at the front? Well, find him!

I must speak to him at all costs!

First get me General Jodl in Berlin. Immediately!

- Where's Caruso? - German headquarters, Excellency.

We must mobilize every man, anything can happen now.

In the meantime, we must notify Il Duce. Take this down.

Today, at 2:30 p.m, a German detachment of the SS...

... while proceeding up Via Rasella...

Father!

Did you hear the blast? It seems like a Partisan attack!

Yes, I've heard it.

The Germans are going mad, swarming, arresting people!

They say a lot of people were killed.

Go lock the front door.

We didn't want to come here Father, but Paolo felt sick and so we...

Don't worry, we'll go as soon as it's dark outside.

Hello?

Yes, I'm alone.

Yes, I've heard it.

Yes, Father. It happened nearby, in Via Rasella, they say.

I don't know. If I hear anything I'll call you.

May He be praised forever.

He is furious. The Führer is furious. Furious!

I've called Berlin. Jodl spoke to him personally.

They're trying to get me Kesselring.

Then get me Mackensen. General Mackensen, idiot!

He wants to blow up the whole block. House by house.

Just as I've said.

He wants 50 to 1. 50 Italians for every dead German!

He will reconsider.

It's a political matter.

Rome is not the Eastern front. He'll reconsider.

Besides, for a change, we are not the wild animals.

Wild animals? We?

General Mackensen! How are you?

You've heard? Yes. Yes, one moment, Kappler's here.

- How many dead? - As of now, 28.

28. But there will be more.

General, I have recommended, and the Führer himself...

Then you know.

Excessive? But the Führer himself...

Reconsider, you say.

He wants to speak with you.

Yes, General?

Yes, I once discussed the matter with General Harster.

We agreed that if reprisals were called for, we would consider...

... all our male prisoners under sentence of death or serving life terms.

Yes, sir, if necessary we would include...

... all those accused of crimes punishable by death, but not yet tried in a court.

Yes, sir, they would be taken from our prisons here in Rome.

Thank you, sir.

- I hadn't finished speaking! - He hung up on me, sir.

Well, what did he say? How many to one?

He said that we would be informed...

... when the measures to be taken had been decided.

I really don't understand you, Kappler.

Our men are lying in that stinking street...

... torn apart by... by those pigs!

And you seem to want to forget about the whole affair!

We didn't ask to come to this filthy country!

We came to help, invited by our allies.

You would see them go unpunished!

The Romans must be discouraged from such acts, but...

... reprisals never stopped anyone.

It was one of the chief causes of the first World War...

... and it only produced martyrs.

Reprisals, General, punish nobody except the victims and their executioners.

So. Now you give me history lessons, huh?

The reprisal will stop the Italians. They scare easily.

But you... you have something else on your mind.

Let us say I have... a different opinion.

To hell with your opinions! You will do as I tell you!

- No, sir. - What?

I will do what you are ordered to tell me to do.

Marshal Kesselring, General Mälzer has telephoned four times.

- He says it's urgent. - Not now.

The situation at the front is utterly grave.

The Americans are now in a position to move North.

I don't think we can hold out more than a couple of months.

We shall continue to prepare our withdrawal from Rome.

Sir, General Mälzer has telephoned again.

He says that the Partisans have attacked a detachment of SS in the centre of the city.

There have been many casualties.

I see. Thank you.

Shall I call him back?

No, call Berlin, High Command.

Well, Colonel. What was your impression of the front today?

I'd like to play the Americans' hand, if only for a day.

I'd walk all over you, having the equipment they got.

General Jodl for you, sir.

Kesselring speaking.

I see. Yes?

How many dead? 30? I lost 400 today alone at Anzio.

But Rome is the front too, right?

If he's going to stick to that decision, he must send me everything himself.

I cannot spare neither a single truck nor a soldier.

Ask him to reconsider.

Yes, that is my answer, I await yours.

In Rome, the 25th anniversary of the founding of Fascism...

... was gloriously commemorated by an imposing ceremony...

... held at the Ministry of Corporations.

The event, organized by the Fascist Republican Party...

... had as a guest Carlo Borsani, undersecretary of Aviation...

... blinded in combat, gold medal for bravery...

... hero of the Albanian War.

The Regime's great poet, recalling the historic events...

... of March 23rd, 1919, Fascisms' fateful day...

- ... said that the glorious Fascist... - It just isn't possible. Not one word.

I thought a bowl of hot soup was a good idea.

- Thank you, Giovanni. - Alas, no bread.

- It doesn't matter. - There are some blankets in the closet.

- If you don't need me anymore... - You may go.

A Vatican spokesman has disclosed that the Holy Father...

... is enjoying perfect health.

He suffers only from the anguish brought on by the war...

Father, try to understand our motives.

I can't, Elena. I'm sorry, but I can't.

During the operation on the Adriatic coast...

... German forces have repelled several enemy attacks.

At Anzio, enemy losses are reported to be much more severe...

... than those of the German armed forces.

Reports from Tokyo disclose that...

Nobody's mentioned it yet. Let's wait for the BBC.

I wonder what the Allies will make of it. And our King.

This Committee is operating under Allied directives.

Our King thinks we should sit tight and wait for his return.

The Hague Convention provides for reprisals.

Listen Andrea:

A state of war exists between Italy and Germany.

We attacked an enemy formation in full combat gear.

In broad daylight, on our own territory.

I'd like to know what the Germans are thinking.

If they follow the rules of the Hague Convention...

... they'll say that if the people responsible don't come forward...

... they'll execute hostages.

Even 2 or 3 times the number of German soldiers killed.

They wouldn't dare. They know Rome would explode.

Let's get one thing straight:

Whatever happens, none of our men comes forward. No one.

- - But innocent people! Innocent people lived in Warsaw...

... in Rotterdam, in London, in Leningrad.

And innocent people, millions of Jews, are being exterminated in the gas chambers.

Do you seriously believe that Rome alone should be spared?

Because of the Pope? I won't accept that.

Neither will millions of other Italians.

You say the Germans will take reprisals. Shoot hostages.

Let them try. We'll make the whole of Rome rise against them.

Giorgio's right.

I have children.

And one day I want them to be able to say:

My father chose to drown in blood, rather than live in shit.

I know you've been calling for hours, General Mälzer...

... but please try to calm yourself. I understand how you feel.

Perhaps you've lost the habit of seeing blood.

From now on we must all get used to the idea...

... that the Partisans are an army too. Now listen carefully:

I've spoken to Berlin several times.

The matter has been thought out more carefully.

Your orders have been dispatched to you by teletype.

They are to be carried out accordingly.

These are not my orders, gentlemen...

... not the Chief of Staff's, and not High Command's.

What I have here, my friends, is an order from the Führer himself.

The Führer has reconsidered, Kappler.

Field Marshal Kesselring argued the case that the measures proposed were excessive.

I think we can all be proud that the Field Marshal...

... succeeded in making a honest and generous effort to exercise humanity.

10 to 1 is hardly the same as 50 to 1.

It is the Führer's express wish that the operation is completed in 24 hours.

The official order was dispatched at 19:00 hours.

It is now a few minutes to midnight. That means we have...

19 hours and 10 minutes, sir. May I see the dispatch?

32 of our men are dead. That means 320 Italians.

Kappler, you will make up the list.

This order, sir, calls for those condemned to death...

... and those accused of serious crimes.

We may not hold enough prisoners to complete the quota.

I'll leave that for you to resolve. You're the best judge.

Caruso will help you.

Caruso, you will furnish Kappler with 80 names, more if he needs them.

80? General, that's impossible.

We have only a few... 10, 15... We have no way of...

All right, all right... Let's make it 50. For now.

But, General... couldn't I...

Could I have it in writing, the request for the 50 names?

Coordinate that with Kappler.

Schultz. How many in the Via Tasso, sentenced to death?

- Three, sir. Who? -

A Communist, a spy and a saboteur.

- How many in the Regina Coeli prison? - None, sir.

- Life sentences? - None, sir.

- Any kind of sentence? - We have several...

- Several? What do you mean by 'several'? - Sixteen, sir.

Sixteen!

Three and sixteen...

We have 3 men sentenced to death, and they want 320...

It's impossible.

- Priebke. Sir? -

Contact the president of the Military Tribunal.

Wake him if you have to.

I want written authorization for the 3 and the 16.

- Yes, sir. - I want a written permission...

... to include all those awaiting sentence for serious offences.

Get me General Harster, in Verona.

Yes...

Domizlaf. Get over to Caruso.

I want the names of all those arrested in the Via Rasella.

I'll join you there after I've talked to General Harster.

- Harster? - Yes, yes, he can help us.

He has jurisdiction over a category I totally overlooked.

- Go now. - Right away, Colonel.

Yes, it will be easy to show their guilt.

General Harster, please.

General Harster? Kappler here, sir. Kappler, in Rome.

Yes, I've heard.

Look, Kappler, what do you want me to do?

The important thing is to complete the list.

If you can't reach the right figure, take Jews.

Then I have your absolute authorization, sir?

Thank you. Good night, sir.

Schultz, count the Jews. I think they're 57.

57, sir. We have another 8 at the Regina Coeli...

... being held for other reasons, antifascism and political crimes.

- Add them to the list. - Aye, sir.

57... 65... 71...

85 plus Caruso's 50 which makes...

... 135, that means 185 to go. Yes?

I've telephoned, sir. We have full authorization...

- ... from the tribunal's president. - You heard that, Schultz?

But he refuses responsibility for those awaiting trial.

How can I... - He claims it's up to the Chief Justice.

- And? And? - So I telephoned the Chief Justice...

- Permission granted, sir. - Good. Good.

- Get it in writing. - Aye sir.

- Schultz, put this list together. - Yes, sir.

I'll have to go through the names very carefully.

First I must get over to Domizlaf, to Caruso's office.

We shall need every name we can get.

It's not going to be easy, for sure.

You realize of course, this has to be carried out...

... with lightning speed and the utmost secrecy.

To tell you the truth, sir...

... the boys would much rather get their hands on the people who really did it.

This doesn't concern us, Priebke.

Besides, there are security aspects involved and we must...

... examine them with the utmost attention.

Anything can happen now, with the Americans closing in, it could be...

... total chaos.

Could be the end.

Even the end of Rome.

Don't tell me you came to see me at this hour of night...

... just because Kappler covets another painting.

No, Father, this time I have not come to take but to give.

I came at this hour hoping to keep this meeting secret.

I don't see how these meetings can be kept secret.

The diplomatic mission the Holy Father has given me...

... is, well, virtually public knowledge.

What I'm about to tell you will remain between you and me.

- You heard about Via Rasella? - Of course. I have few details.

32 German soldiers were killed. 320 Italians are to be shot in reprisal.

The order has come down from very high.

We are about to commit an error which has to be avoided.

Don't misunderstand me.

The fate of 320 Italians matters little to me...

... compared to the 10 or 15 million already lost in this war.

But we must be prudent.

A German reprisal will provoke public outrage and hatred of the most violent kind.

You know tha Rome is a powder keg...

... and the Partisan Movement is only waiting for the moment to unite the Resistance.

You said you came here to give.

Yes, Father.

To give you the name of the only person in the world who perhaps can avoid this reprisal.

- The Holy Father. - The Holy Father.

The complicity of at least some of the people who live in the Via Rasella...

... goes without saying.

Nobody could have planned this outrage without their support.

And this is all your men managed to find, Caruso?

We searched all the houses on the street.

We've found illegal newspapers and pamphlets...

... speeches by Churchill and Roosevelt... in English.

- Yes... what else? - How many have you arrested?

- About 10. - Get their names. I want them in my list.

- I need them for mine! They're for mine!

You will give us 50 names, as promised, by 10 a.m.

- I'll need a warrant from Buffarini Guidi. - Then get it!

- Colonel, sir, we don't have 50... - Then give us Jews.

Romeo...

Perizzi...

Giuseppe...

Giglio...

Maurizio.

Benati.

... Pilo.

Lombardi... Enzio.

64...

65...

66...

71.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24.

I spoke with the Duce last night.

I defer to you, Your Excellency.

I think it would be best if you act on behalf of the Government.

The Duce says he wants more details.

So when you have finished with Kappler write me out a report.

Kappler wants 50 names. 50!

I don't have the authority, Your Excellency. What can I do?

You must give them to him, otherwise who knows what'll happen!

Yes, yes, give them to him...

Then you should give me the order... in writing.

Why do you think I made you Chief of Police, Caruso?

In Tuscany we have a saying:

If you ask for a bicycle, then you must pedal it!

Just don't get me involved. I'm in it up to my neck already.

All right, I'll give them the list.

Anyway, we are on a list ourselves. Are we not, Your Excellency?

Colonel, I double checked with Caruso's office.

They say the list is still incomplete.

Never mind Caruso for the moment.

We have another problem: The burial site.

Dobrick is in charge of the execution, but where?

That's a security problem.

We must find a suitable place.

It would take days...

... to dig a common grave.

Think in terms of grottoes, a large natural death chamber.

- Colonel, the priest is here. - A priest? What priest?

- Father Antonelli. - What does he want?

- He says he must speak to you. - Where is he?

I can only give you two minutes, Father.

Colonel, I came here because of your being kind to me...

... and I would like to know what will happen now...

It will be a fair reprisal, Father...

... carried out according to the laws of the Hague Convention.

- So war has laws too? - Yes, and we will respect them.

The law provides for retaliation...

... in case of a terrorist outrage against regular troops.

They say it was an act of open warfare.

They? Do you know them? How many are there? Two, three?

- Who are they, Father? - Everybody, Colonel!

It's the only thing people are talking about, all over Rome.

But you haven't said anything. You've given no warning...

... like, "if the persons responsible don't come forward..."!

Maybe they're waiting for this. They might come forward.

And what would we do with a handful of assassins?

- That's not enough, Father. - And you call this a reprisal...

Did you make any effort to find the attackers?

Did you make an announcement, warning the people of Rome...

... what measures would be taken against them? You did not.

- Italy is our ally. - Italy... but which Italy?

There are two sides now, and you are on the wrong side.

No, Colonel, this is not a reprisal.

You know it yourself, and you are not big enough...

... to cover crimes with fancy words. This is just a massacre...

... carried in spite of the most elementary rules of war.

It's too late, Father.

The machinery is running by itself.

- Then stop it! - The machinery is what you call "God"!

I cannot stop it any more than a bullet can refuse to be fired!

I am a man, alone. At the mercy of events.

Even you cannot stop it, Father! That is all.

Let the spin of the wheel decide.

God does not spin wheels to decide the fate of men.

Your God died 20 centuries ago.

This is the list!

You've already made up the list of the men who will die?

I can only say that...

... for every name that I wrote, I thought three times.

Three times! Do something, Colonel!

- Tear it up, destroy it, burn it! - You're mad!

Look, Colonel. The sun is rising up.

The eternal symbol of renewal, of hope.

Many will get up late, they'll miss it.

But it dawns for every man.

Many people, Father, dream when they are awake.

- I pity you, Colonel. - Don't pity me.

Pity the man who has to... carry out this deed.

I will stop you.

Father Pancrazio will speak to the Pope. He will stop you.

The Pope is... already heavily burdened.

Surely you don't want to add to his burden.

His Holiness would prefer to hear about it... after.

Father Antonelli. I respect you.

I respect your mind, I respect your courage...

... but I detest men with illusions.

Don't press your luck.

La Vecchia, Gaetano...

Mancini, Enrico...

They telephoned from Colonel Kappler's office, sir.

- How many names has he got? - He's done. He says we're late.

Late!

It's too easy to say we're late...

He's going to tell me "You had only 50 names"...

But these are Italians!

They're Italians...

I go over every name three times. Three! Three times!

Where are they?

They went away, just after you left.

- They didn't leave a message? - No.

Do you know where Elena lives... Paolo, the others?

Few people live at home these days, Father.

May God help them... May God help us all!

- Where's the Father General? - He's out.

- I can see that, I want to know where? - You want?

Try to understand, I must know where he his.

It's a matter of life and death, do you understand?

It's all life or death these days, Father Antonelli.

Father Gruber, try to help me. I must see him now!

You should know by now, that he visits the Holy Father every day.

He's at the Vatican.

Where we cannot possibly disturb him.

Rome's Public Record Bureau states the following:

Yesterday, 80 persons were born.

The Rome Stock Exchange recorded minor fluctuations...

- Who is it? - Aldo!

- Bye. - Bye...

For the benefit of our listeners, we'll now read the schedule of radio programs for today.

News broadcasts at 17:00, 20:00 and 23:00 hours..."

Nothing.

Rome beat Lazio in soccer.

There's a new Swedish film premiering at the Barberini...

Nothing about Via Rasella. The radio, newspapers... nothing.

- Like it didn't happen. But it did happen. -

- I shall never forget it. - ... the Catholic World, God's Word...

At 20:20 hours, live broadcast of the concerto...

... conducted by Alceo Toni. End of the newsflash.

I know, that is why I'm here.

To try to prevent a senseless act by the Germans.

- Yes, but... - Listen to me, Father.

Together with someone of great importance...

I have prepared a plan for the Holy Father to consider.

Be assured he will give this matter his utmost attention.

First, that he try to postpone the reprisal.

At least for the time being.

Secondly, a requiem mass in one of the basilicas of Rome...

For the killed German soldiers.

The Holy Father might, I say might, be present.

I have no doubt this will draw approval everywhere.

And probably soften the hearts of those men...

... who have made this reckless decision.

Father General?

Wait for me at the Salvatorian Mission.

Wait there, and pray. Pray.

You refuse, Dobrick?!

You refuse!

My men are not trained for an operation of this kind.

Most of them are just recruits.

Your men have been slaughtered...

... and you behave as though... it didn't concern you!

You dare refuse to obey an order of the Führer himself!

That is high treason.

And you will answer for it before a court martial.

Consider yourself under arrest!

Get me General Mackensen's headquarters, at once!

Major Dobrick refuses to carry out his orders.

My list is ready, sir. Caruso's 50 should complete it.

- We also have... - Yes?

Yes, put him through.

Colonel Hauser? Listen carefully, Colonel.

You will proceed with the utmost urgency...

... to place a detachment of your men at my disposal.

They will proceed with the execution of 320 hostages.

What?

What did you say?

Here are the names, sir. It wasn't easy.

This is a report on the chosen site, and here is...

... a copy of the plan of the place we consider suitable.

Colonel Hauser has refused to place his men at my disposal!

He says it is a job for the SS, not the Army!

- Well, I'd say he's right. - Kappler, you don't understand.

Dobrick has refused, Hauser has refused...

In other words, they wash their hands off the whole affair!

We have only eight hours left!

What good is your list, who is going to shoot them?

I wouldn't worry, sir. I'm sure you'll find somebody.

Yes, you!

You will do it.

If that's an official order, General...

... then I will put my men at your disposal for this... operation.

No, Kappler.

As commander of the security forces in Rome...

... it is your duty to set your men an example.

You and all your officers must personally take part in this operation.

That... is my official order.

And of course, you will have it in writing.

You're right, sir. I shouldn't ask my men to do something I wouldn't do myself.

It's a symbolic necessity, I think.

You're a fine officer, Kappler.

I will mention this in my report to the Führer.

That could be very important for you, in the future.

I have volunteered for the Eastern Front five times.

I was refused each time.

They told me I had an important task...

... an important task to do in Rome.

DEATH IS UGLY FOR THOSE WHO FEAR IT

You all know why we're here.

So I won't waste what little time we have left.

Captain Priebke, to whom I've already spoken, is briefing the men.

Anyway, I would like to clarify two things with you.

First, there is no question of moral guilt on our part.

We are soldiers obeying precise orders.

Secondly, all 74 of us, officers and men...

... all of German nationality, will take part in this operation.

Anyone refusing to do so will face a military tribunal.

And you all know what that means.

Like many of you here, I've... I've never killed a man.

I will fire the first bullet.

I'm certain I speak for all of us here Colonel..

... when I say we will all do our duty.

Thank you gentlemen.

This is the operation site.

It's a series of abandoned man-made caves...

... about 3.5 km Southwest of the Via Tasso, where we are now...

... and at the Via Ardeatina, which is there.

The tunnels are made of limestone.

When sealed, they will make a natural death chamber...

... and the humidity will accelerate the decomposition of the remains.

The tunnels are already being mined...

... and will be blown shut on completion of the operation.

The prisoners will be led in here.

The executions will take place by pistol fire, the Mauser.

The prisoners will be shot in batches of 5 by platoons of 5.

It therefore follows that each of us will kill 4 or 5 men.

I will now demonstrate the procedure to be followed.

Brethien, kneel over here.

The prisoner will kneel, head pushed slightly forward.

The muzzle of the gun placed at the base of the neck...

... but contact is unnecessary.

The bullet will pass from low to high, trough the brain...

... causing instant and painless death. Thank you.

I calculate three hours to round up the prisoners.

One hour for transportation, one minute for each execution.

We should be finished by sundown, a couple of hours ahead...

... of time, if all goes as planned.

I've already ordered 40 trucks, but there are difficulties.

- Difficulties? What difficulties? - 18 of the trucks...

... are normally used for meat supplies.

And the officer in charge of provisions objects that if men are carried in there...

... they'll need to be sterilized afterwards. - Get the trucks!

I will answer to the objections.

Gentlemen, we must not attract attention at all costs.

Our best safety is speed.

The hospital just telephoned, sir. Another one of our men has died.

That means I shall add 10 more names to the list...

... making it 330 in all.

Modify your plans accordingly. That will be all.

Priebke...

The other evening you told me about 10 Jews living in Aryan households.

I ordered you to arrest them. Has the order been followed?

They're at the Regina Coeli prison, sir.

- Add them to the list. - Yes sir.

Priebke...

Send over a few cases of cognac to the caves.

- Our men will not find it easy. - Yes sir.

Please, sit down.

I'm sorry you had to wait so long.

Father, tell me what has been done.

All that was humanly possible, believe me.

What does it mean?

The Holy Father has given serious consideration...

... to the possibility of his intervention.

But the Germans have threatened to re-examine their attitude...

... towards the present negotiations for the salvation of Rome.

The salvation of Rome? What salvation, Father? Whose?

Father Antonelli, even at a moment like this...

... we cannot forget that Germany...

... is our last bulwark against atheist Communism!

Do you mean to tell me the Pope refused to intervene?

That he has forgotten he's the Bishop of Rome!

How dare you pass judgment, Father Antonelli?

The Holy Father is a prisoner of History.

He must think and act in terms that are universal.

So the Church renounces her mission.

The Holy Father has chosen to do nothing. As we all have!

Please, keep calm, Father Antonelli.

These hours have not passed in vain.

We have drawn up a statement that will appear on the front page...

... of the Osservatore Romano tomorrow.

- Tomorrow? - Let me read it to you my son...

... and then you can judge for yourself.

"In these anxious hours...

... we turn our thoughts particularly to the city of Rome...

... so often tortured by anguish, and tribulation.

Our appeal is made directly to the conscience of the population...

... who have so admirably demonstrated their spirit of sacrifice...

... and a profound sense of dignity.

Do not shatter with violent urges this stance...

... which is so worthy of the virtues of our people.

Every ill-considered act, would have no other result...

... than to end by injuring innocent people...

... already too trialed by anguish and privation.

For those whose place is to maintain public order..."

- Colonel Kappler. - Thank you.

I must talk to him! Sorry!

- They didn't want to let me in. - You're in. What do you want?

I've just come from the Vatican.

The Holy Father is taking the necessary steps. You must postpone!

We've already been informed of the "necessary steps"...

... the Holy Father is prepared to take. This will appear...

... in the Vatican newspaper tomorrow.

"Maintain public order.

See that it is not disturbed by any attitude whatsoever...

... that causes painful conflicts.

Those who know how to influence the minds of the citizenry...

... above all the priests, have the high mission of persuasion...

... pacification and giving comfort."

So you see, Father, there was no point in your coming here.

Colonel, you have a soul, a conscience, give it whatever name you like.

But one day, regardless of what happens now...

... you will be called to account for your actions.

Do something! There is still time!

There is no time, Father. It's always too late, I realize that now.

Every man follows his path. So does the Pope.

Any man who believes that he can control his own destiny...

Is dreaming an ancient dream.

An ancient dream of fools.

Fools? You call us fools? Utopians?

You call a "massacre" a reprisal, a feeling boy "Partisan"...

... an old man "hostage", a woman full of love "Communist"!

Hangmen wear masks, Colonel.

And you mask yourself with empty words, in order to destroy!

But we are all men!

God's creation on Earth! Not the cogs of a machine!

Men can choose!

Choose, Colonel!

- They're waiting for you, sir. - I'm going to do my duty.

I've told you what is expected of you.

Go on and do yours.

There's no time, Father. There's nothing more you can do.

- I can still do something. - No, Father.

Heil Hitler.

I'm sorry, I need this bicycle! I need it!

This is the complete list.

Take it to Regina Coeli Prison at once and hand it to...

Sir! They just telephoned from Regina Coeli.

- They've already taken them away. - But that's impossible!

I have the list here! Here!

- It's the only copy. - Kappler's men arrived and said...

... that otherwise they'd take the guards.

- They took away 55 convicts. - But... that's too many.

Too many... Too many, too many!

They took 5 too many.

Fretate, Dino.

Giuseppe, Gaetano.

Grieco, Ennio.

Di Veroli, Attilio.

Lotti, Giuseppe.

Nobili, Edoardo.

Di Nepi, Giorgio.

D'Amico, Giuseppe.

D'Andrea, Mario.

Di Consiglio, Cesare.

Di Consiglio, Franco.

Di Consiglio, Marco. Di Consiglio, Mosè.

Di Consiglio, Salomone.

Sonnino, Gabriele.

Spunticchia, Antonino. Stame, Nicola.

Talamo, Manfredi. Tanzini, Giovanni Carlo.

Tedesco, Cesare.

- Stop! - Let me pass, let me pass!

Get back!

I can't do it, sir.

LIST OF THE VICTIMS IN THE FOSSE ARDEATINE MASSACRE

Ten weeks later, the Allies liberated Rome.

Police Chief Pietro Caruso was tried by an Italian court...

... sentenced to death and executed.

General Kurt Mälzer was tried and sentenced to death in 1946.

The sentence was not carried out. He died in prison.

Field Marshal Albert Kesselring...

... was tried by a British military tribunal in 1947...

... and sentenced to death. The sentence was not carried out.

He was released in 1952.

Colonel Hebert Kappler was tried in Rome in 1948 and found guilty.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, and is serving his sentence...

... in the military penitentiary at Gaeta.