Original subtitles

Take one of me, and Luisa, and my father...my mother.

Ready?

Don't laugh.

...my brother-in-law...

Aw, save your money.

Once in a life...

Teresa, hurry.

One with my employers.

We'll be late.

Please...you will.

He's right.

Be seeing you.

Good luck.

Wedding candies.

This is Gina.

She's better than me.

l'll see you tomorrow morning.

But she doesn't have anywhere to sleep.

All right.

Good luck.

Don't forget to return the dress before seven.

Step on it.

You'll smother her.

What's wrong?

l feel something here.

Why?

For my father.

You have me.

Don't worry.

He wrote to Signora Baj. He doesn't want to see me.

He will understand.

Enough?

No.

l spent too much.

Not my fault.

l didn't know it would take so long.

Here...but take my parents home.

As a favour, then.

Hurry up.

Happy landing.

We'll say good-bye on the bus.

Don't forget the dress.

My mother.

Relax.

Did she see us?

Hello Ma.

...Natale.

Your father left.

He's very angry.

But it's done.

l know!

Staying tonight?

lf there's room.

You can leave early.

Better not see your father. He'd make a scene.

l'm going.

Let it go, Luisa.

Your husband should see l'm human.

Come along.

What's he make?

$1 .50 a day as an apprentice.

But when he's a bricklayer...

Old age pension?

lf we keep up the payments.

lf it rains...?

We can't work when it rains.

But it's a good trade.

You'll see.

When a child comes, you're sunk.

We'll wait.

First, a home.

Wake me in the morning.

This goose.

She only thinks of the movies.

And with all our debts.

There are two sides to everything.

l'll wake you early.

Good night, mother.

Send your father a card.

Make the first move.

Money would be better.

You have your own parents to think of.

Some day l'll find you a nice place in Rome.

Your family...

...tell them my husband isn't mean.

How many are there?

Eight.

Nine, with Luisa... and one on the way.

We're crowded, but we don't mind.

lt's only for a year.

Then we'll find a place.

We'll send pictures.

To your father!

They're coming back.

Sleep.

Let's talk.

Talk, then.

When will you be a bricklayer?

Soon...with my brother-in-law's help.

We're nearly there.

All built since the war.

This was a meadow.

Look! The second one.

After the church?

The one with the flag.

They can't hear you!

l'd like my friends to be able to see me.

So many.

They're still building. There'll be plenty of work.

Good.

Wait.

Dinner ready?

You ought to get a... giving me heart failure...

l'll fix you.

He has the mumps.

Candy?

Cook it while it's fresh.

lt's from my mother.

l'll fry it tonight so Cesare can have some.

Your father...?

He's as stubborn as l am.

Come here a moment.

We'll be away from the window, and the noise.

At home there was the roar of the sea.

Can't we put up something to screen us?

Papa's big boy.

You always make me wait.

How do you like Luisa?

She's quiet.

Cesare likes that.

Just a minute.

l'm up at seven.

l'll be your alarm.

Sleep.

Your sister.

Damn.

Sleep.

Who left the hall light on?

Not me.

lf l didn't get up...

Tight-wad.

He's right. lt's money wasted.

Can l work here?

Till the boss comes.

We teach them, then you're competition.

Watch the cord, now.

That's no way...

lt looks a little crowded.

l think the time's come.

Rest.

lt's better if l keep moving.

lt won't happen before tonight.

With my mother it's over in an hour.

What the hell... !

ls this a home or a dormitory?

But Giovanna...

She lets you do anything.

Next l'll be asking permission to enter.

You feel sick?

Pains?

They'll pass.

lt's coming...

Where's your mother?

At the bakery.

Get the midwife.

lt's Giovanna...

What's up?

Giovanna had a girl.

Lucky Cesare.

How's Giovanna?

She's sleeping.

What is it now?.

Nothing.

Mysteries again.

How about some ice cream?

ls it Cesare?

He yelled at me.

l have been patient.

lt's a roof, at least.

lt's worse than the street. Have you no pride?

Let's go for a walk.

Sit down.

How's the baby?

She's so pretty. Such silky hair.

Come in.

This large chest and this chair go with it.

A long train.

Noisy.

Oh well...

How much?

Weren't you told?

Yes, but...

Not for less.

A little less.

Free, perhaps?

lt was bombed but we stayed.

lt shakes a little.

A bit of plaster falls.

Thirty families live here.

They don't mind.

But it could be condemned tomorrow.

Why do you think l'm offering it so cheap?

The City would find us a new place.

Us too?

No, we're not supposed to sublet.

They'd be guests, friends, eh?

lt's all right with me.

May we think it over?

We'll decide.

Too risky.

lt's a bargain.

A shaky house.

Other people live there.

You're out all day. l have to stay home.

You just can't make up your mind.

We have to save something.

lf l got sick...

What would we do for money?

l could do housework.

The great scientists say...

...that very soon...

...we'll be able to go to the moon.

Now that's a big help.

Who left the light on?

We went to bed in the dark.

Nobody takes the blame.

The bill was six dollars this month.

l didn't get up at all.

Paying is bad enough -- but they make a fool of me.

We all pay...

My wife doesn't use the electric iron.

l only used it once.

Don't tell me...

lt's true.

You read late...

Who says l can't?

You forbid me?

Maybe your wife says l can't.

Only you can be right.

l taught you a trade.

And l'm master of this house.

Don't forget.

Master?!

Don't be fools.

l pay...

...and if l could find a place...

l had to find a place.

You only talk...

l'll show you, then.

Show me.

Get our things.

Where will you go?

Don't blame Cesare.

Why do the poor always fight?

What are you crying about? This had to happen.

You'll hear from me.

Luisa was right. l'll find something.

lt's empty.

Why?

lt's coming down.

Can l leave the cart inside?

Just for a few days.

No, l'm sorry.

l could go to jail.

The building might collapse.

ln a few days?

Let's go.

l'll never go back.

l'll keep looking...

No, not alone.

They'd trick you.

l'll say you have to decide.

You might look in the papers.

No, they're too expensive.

Trust me. We'll meet tonight.

l'll find something.

Take this food.

l'll visit my friend Gina.

l'll phone you.

The number is...

Have you money?

Did you get yourself an apartment here?

May l leave the cart, just for a few days?

Well, all right.

Can l work somewhere else?

That guy.

A family matter.

He'll soon change yards. He'll be a boss.

He can be chief engineer -- but far away.

She needs a room.

Who doesn't?

There's one for sale.

Just yourself?

Oh...you're married already?

Wait, l'll take you to a place.

l'd be grateful.

We can go now.

They marry young.

Then they learn.

You were too anxious.

She's a saint, but she's hungry.

What's all that?

Go on, get moving.

This land is private property.

You're breaking the law.

You can't roost here.

He didn't finish in time.

You'd better come out.

l'm ruined.

Am l guiltier than the rest?

No more shacks. There's a limit.

You think we enjoy doing this?

You make it tough for us.

Knock it down.

Get moving.

Have a heart.

You could have come a bit later.

lf a house has a door you can't break in.

There's no roof, either.

So it isn't a house.

l told them the cops would get here at eight.

There'll be night patrol, too.

Get out.

Aren't you working?

My husband.

He's ruined.

With six bricklayers they could never finish in time.

They needed fifteen.

l feel like l'm on a ship.

We're behind schedule.

So much rain.

A toast...a speech.

The wine would be better with a bit of pizza.

Couldn't you afford the pizza?

You! That's how accidents happen.

l'm in a hurry.

You could get a summons.

Hurry, before it's too dark.

We can build our own home.

You're a bricklayer.

You'll see.

Tell me now.

l'll tell you while we walk.

For two years rent...

lt's a real opportunity.

Plenty of sun.

A fountain near by.

l don't know...

lt may be your last chance.

Say yes.

Borrow the money.

Me, l hate to pay rent.

We'd need a lot of material.

Quick-drying plaster.

A truck load of sand.

Plenty of men.

And plenty of money.

No -- you're in the trade.

Do you want to build?

A choice location. l'll build it for you in one night.

Just like mine.

He's a bricklayer.

He can build it himself, and cheaper.

But he can't build here.

Why?

See?

l've staked it.

So what?

lt's for who comes first.

And l did.

Are you kidding?

Why don't you drive your stakes all over Rome?

Don't get tough.

That's my claim.

Try to put us off. You've got a house. That's enough.

The police.

He'd love to profit by another man's sweat.

A would-be dictator.

Sorry you married me?

Don't be silly. But please think about that house.

l'll think tomorrow.

You won't.

l will.

Gina is waiting. See you tomorrow.

Write to me.

Keep trying.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

This is where we first met.

No, there.

Women remember things better.

l'll phone you.

Remind me to clean it tomorrow.

There's a lady who would give me $5 more a month.

She's rich. lt's a bigger place.

More floors to polish.

Do you think l should take it?

Why are there no children in this family?

l don't know.

l just don't know.

What are you waiting for?

Who says l am? l think l'm pregnant.

Congratulations...

What did he say?

l won't tell him until l'm sure.

Do you think Signora Baj would lend me some money?

She would but they don't have enough themselves.

l know.

The military don't earn much if there's no war.

Doesn't she have a rich brother?

The school teacher?

He earns the same as us.

We need $30 to eat and sleep. Work it out.

They pay us $1 8, plus a few presents.

l feel queasy.

l'll make coffee.

That will wake them up.

Hello... Yes, they're asleep.

l must speak low.

l've something to tell you. lt's nice.

No, not now.

And the house?

You don't care if we're separated.

l won't tell you.

He sleeps light.

My father was right.

Never get married...

...without a home.

Then who'd get married?

Could you...

...lend me $1 5?

We'll talk about it later.

l'd give you nylons.

lf you'd give me some perfume.

The bath and the toilet go here and then there's no more space.

Can you make the bathroom bigger?

Let us know before we build the wall.

Could you move, please?

Father, the bookshelf would fit here very well.

The desk and the couch here...

They don't like visitors here.

What is it?

l found some work.

That's all?

There's something else.

Tell me.

Not here.

This morning...

You woke Gina's boss.

But you made such a fuss.

l hit a beam.

What goes here?

The foyer.

l'll show you where l sleep.

The job is near the bus line.

They'll pay me $1 5 a month, with breakfast and lunch.

Some job!

But they're kind and polite. They mean well.

That isn't enough.

They think l'm single.

And l went broke buying a wedding ring.

Not too bad.

Sit down.

l'm pregnant.

Beautiful things seem to happen on Fridays.

lt'll take $1 00.

Bricks have gone up.

Maybe l can pay in instalments.

l have $1 5. My father can wait.

My friends, l have some news...it's official.

Babies bring good luck.

l should be a millionaire. l have seven.

l want to build a squatters' shack.

He wants to own a house.

l wouldn't try it.

Apply to the Project.

With thousands waiting?

l'd go ahead and build.

How about tomorrow night?

You'll fail.

He can do it.

ln one night.

The police leave at eight.

l'll pay all of you.

We must work fast.

l'll help if l don't risk going to jail.

That's Natale's risk, not ours.

Tomorrow night?

Where?

Pay me back when you can.

Another debt...but l have the heart of a lion, now.

Cesare.

...a family car...

Give me a Mercedes...

He saw.

So what?

Regards to all.

We'll name it after you.

l'll call the fellows.

The money.

Quiet.

Here with the cart.

Let's look around.

Mr. Bergman, another expert on rockets to the moon, arrived...

You're choking the lamp.

You'll choke us too.

All clear.

The water cart.

A light.

Start unloading.

Here we are.

Good land.

Dim those lights.

The water cart.

My horse needs a rest.

The lime here.

Dump the cement.

A little tight.

Move the stakes.

Draw the lines.

Thanks.

Who's building here?

Why?

lllegal.

We haven't started.

lf you had you'd have wasted your time.

Who squealed?

We have to fine you.

But look...

Don't argue.

But all this stuff... !

Your name?

What's your name?

Get out.

l'll kill you.

Who are you pushing around?

Your pimp.

l'll fix you.

And l'll be back.

You're finished here.

You're through.

That's enough out of you.

The rat.

Enough, l said.

What's your name?

Natale Pilon.

Father's name?

Where were you born?

Where can l live?

No address.

That squealer.

He'll get some more.

What now?.

Load.

Go on, get started.

Natale, what'll we do?

My horse wants to know.

lt's nine o'clock.

Are we finished?

No.

Who could have figured on a dirty squealer?

Be careful.

Let's go.

Keep me posted.

Count on me any time.

lt's cold.

This feels like the war.

The moon.

Cold?

No.

What's the use of crying?

l want a home for our baby.

l can't see.

Let me help.

Guide me.

We'll settle there.

That's a railroad guard.

Help bring water.

Go with her.

Unload the bricks.

One line here.

Another here.

Come on with those bricks.

Who's building here?

Mind moving three yards?

l'd hit the tracks.

Two yards.

Okay.

l hope to expand a bit.

Are we safe?

They never come at night.

l'll be all right.

Don't worry.

lt's nothing.

Sit down.

l'm chilly. l'll keep moving.

Let me get some water.

l'm all right.

l'll go slowly.

Railroad men.

Drink?

Maybe a sandwich a little later.

Big as a cat.

lt leaped like a thief.

Silly, a light scares them.

This clumsy ox.

Leave it. The hell with it.

Look how you've built it.

You don't know anything.

This one is no better.

What's the difference?

We're finished.

We can't make it.

We never could.

l should've known.

l'm through.

Not so loud.

You wanted to save money.

You needed ten good bricklayers.

See if you can fix it.

Three hours work.

Don't mind me. l don't know what l'm saying anymore.

Can we put a bit of oil in the lamp?

Drink.

Bricklayers?

Sort of.

Helpers, then.

A dollar each.

l need experienced men.

l've an idea.

What?

Don't say no.

Let me get Cesare.

Go get some sleep.

Will you stop it?

lt's two-thirty.

Set them edgewise.

You'll be sorry.

Never mind.

Hey Kid.

Want a dime?

Come along.

Sure.

You lead the way.

l thought it was gold.

What's your name?

Nobody's waiting for me.

Get Cesare.

We're having trouble.

Come on in.

No.

He's coming.

Who's he?

He lives over there.

They have tools.

Let's go.

Where is it?

Not far.

What's the place?

The Ditch.

l'll follow you.

Where are they?

The Ditch of St. Agnes.

Your wife.

Don't be angry.

How's things?

Not so good.

Think we can make it?

Well, we'll try.

Later.

A sandwich, maybe.

There'll be food.

Here l am.

l could have kept up with you if l'd wanted to.

Can you fill the lamp?

Hey, sonny.

The beam.

Slanted roof?

Yes.

No, it's got to be flat.

Why flat?

lt's all we have time for.

Can't you understand? There's no time.

Maybe we can make a slanted roof later.

A house with a flat roof.

That's for rabbits.

All right. But don't blame me...

Come on with that beam.

Get some coffee.

Good morning.

Oh, nearly finished?

l owe you something.

Better go home.

Broccoli. Nice fresh broccoli.

Go take your broccoli...

The police.

This punk thinks he's funny.

l'll brain you.

l'll smash your face.

You ought to.

l could do it myself.

Got to go.

l'll pay you tomorrow.

Who did this?

l'll help you.

The cops.

Right on time.

Ma...Luisa...get the bed.

This won't close.

Get down.

Stall them.

Start a fight...hurry up.

Don't hang around here.

Take a kid to bed with you. They'll leave you alone.

Will you lend me your baby?

Take mine.

Go away, please.

Get under the covers.

They're not starting a fight.

Stay away from my wife... Understand?...

Stay at a distance.

Come down.

Here they come.

Did you have to hit me on the nose?

Open up.

You don't have to.

Don't.

You're in a house, with a roof.

You'll get a summons anyway.

l won't open.

You'd better.

Name?

Natale Pilon.

Where do you live?

Here.

The Ditch of St. Agnes.

There is a fine.

Are they leaving?

Looks like it.

You can open.

We did it.

My child, please.

l'll finish it.

Will they ever come back?

Don't worry.

Go home.

He's like a puppy.

Do l have to chase you?

Tired?

l want to finish it.

You're too tired.

Go to bed.