Original subtitles

Soldiers, philosophers, poets were not aware of this rural humanism .

Love, death, in a shallow foggy ditch.

Every land would like to have your names made of strength, of modesty, not for memory

but for the days that crawl slow with history, quick with blood stains.

Salvatore Quasimodo (end of the poem "To the brothers Cervi, to their Italy")

THE SEVEN BROTHERS CERVI

Subtitles downloaded from Podnapisi.NET

So... Agostino, should we cut a little?

No, sorry, it's not going to work. Look!

- Show me? - Hey, be careful, it's still cold!

- That's enough! - Ok. There you go.

What did you invent now?

I don't know yet.

Maybe I'll catch birds with this

or frogs.

In France, in 1923, 4.300.000 tons of fruit

were consumed.

That's ok like this, come on!

Mom couldn't do it, but I will make you look pretty, you'll see!

Please... low layering!

Sure... below zero!

Sport news. Soccer.

The secretary of the Fascist Party, Ettore Muti

sent to the captain of the national team, Giuseppe Meazza,

the following telegram.

Today, 9th of February, 1940, tenth anniversary of the glorious Italian debut

may the best wishes of the Fascist Party and of all Italian sport fans

get to you.

Hurry up, guys, the theatre will not wait for you. Come on!

Tosca is always Tosca. We know it by heart.

Mario! Mario, what are you doing? Get up!

Oh my God! Assassins!

You killed him! Coward!

You should have saved him!

I had to deceive you, Tosca! And shoot him!

Ah... the beast! And I can't kill him anymore!

- Kill him? Who? - Your Scarpia.

Yes, I killed him... I stabbed him in the heart.

And I wish I still had that knife to dig it and twist it in the wound!

If you had killed him, your life would not be enough to pay for it.

Oh, my life! Take it! So that I won't have to see you anymore!

Rotten land... of the most abominable tyranny!

Rotten population, you tolerate it!

Coward sun, you give it your light!

Today, we too live like slaves!

One day they will pay for all their crimes...

because they trampled over the Italian people...

...because by taking our freedom away they signed their death sentence!

Tyrants should die!

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Bravo!

Good evening, young man!

May I help you? Did you lose anything?

- No, nothing! - So?

Well, in truth...

If it's not a bother...

I would like to meet the lady, the actress.

My wife or my daughter?

The Tosca!

Good evening.

I am Lucia Sarzi.

The Tosca!

I am Aldo Cervi.

You are truly a great artist.

Oh... thank you.

"Coward sun, you give it your light!"

At this point, the policeman should have talked.

Instead, you continued.

Well, it does happen to us actors!

You know! My father could not remember his line

I tried to help him... - Yea, but...

what you were saying was more beautiful than Tosca's words.

So... you understood what I was saying!

You understood what those lines meant!

I am not an idiot, you know. Of course I understood!

I... was afraid for you all.

Well, yes... we had some problems.

Some time ago a police officer came to look for us...

we were doing Hamlet.

And my father, instead of "to be or not to be" was saying "Does it end or not end"

"What doesn't end?" asked the police officer.

And that was the last time we did Hamlet.

So we had to change our repertoire, you know?

We try to have Tosca, or Scampolo, say some things...

and even the blind woman of Sorrento!

Yes... - It's not much...

but... something always comes our way.

Yes.

But it's a big risk.

What if they make you shut down everything?

Right. We have to be careful.

But it's worth it, you know.

In fact, you are here.

All I do, is looking for people like you.

Ah! A good face, in these times!

No, why are you making fun of me? I am serious.

I wish there were more women like you, in Italy!

If Hitler had to fight against women, he wouldn't be doing all the bad things he's doing!

Oh, it would be so good... if all women would come together to say no.

If they learned how to protest.

And you, then?

Me? But, you see... my job helps with that...

you know, we actors go everywhere!

And then, in my help the sense of justice was always very strong.

We're from the country.

But at my house, we are of the same opinion, all of us, men and women!

So... we'll get along easily.

You know, sometimes I find people...

with whom I really don't want to talk.

Or other, that I would try to convince for hours and hours.

But you... about what should I convince you?

I would like to tell many things...

but I don't know where to start.

I know that.

SO what are you thinking, at your house?

For Heaven's sake, what do you want to do with this land?

- A leveling! - What's that?

- I am going to explain you now. - What's that?

If we level the land, it will produce more forage!

3,000 square meters leveled produce forage for 50 quintals of milk per year, instead of 20.

Who says that?

- It's written here. - But who says that?

- A manual of agriculture. - Bullshit!

Why don't you read it?

Read! Read, ignorant...

it's convenient for you, too.

I had this land like this from my father... and it must remain like this.

Instead, we are for innovation!

I m tired of your bullying!

- No! Achille, no! - Go away!

Go away or we'll kill you!

Either you do as I say or you go away!

Fine, we will go away!

We will leave in a month.

I wanna marry you. What do you think? Yours, Cervi Gelindo.

Now you can't back down. It's written and signed.

You ugly fly, what do you want?

Go away! Leave me alone! - Yes... - Go away!

- Calm down! - You're a coward

Go to the other one. To that ugly witch!

Let go of me!

Let me go! - Come!

- So? - I am torn between you and another guy. He is...

I don't wanna know who he is.

Go to him. Look at him well. See if you like him more than me and come to let me know. - ok.

Water! Water! Water!

Dad! Aldo!

Aldo!

We made it!

We're rich!

We made it!

There! There, among roses in bloom...

the romance began...

and it was kisses, daring caresses...

and then the folly of passion!

"I love you", she whispers...

and a passionate kiss makes her shiver!

And to her sweet love...

she still whispers like this.

Love me...

love me with passion...

take me, hold me passionately...

pick me, my life is like a flower...

blooms soon and soon dies...

and only for you is my heart!

Come on! Don't give up!

- Margherita? - Yes?

Do you like the other guy? - Yes.

Ok! Then congratulations!

- Antenore? - Eh? - Come on, it's not true!

I like you more!

Silly!

Then run!

I wanna marry you right away!

You can't do that right away! We need help out in the fields.

Well, soon you'll be many more. Come on!

Listen, dad. Since they keep saying that we're fools...

let's sign the last bill of exchange and let's buy a tractor.

Oh boy, one more bill?

Yes, let's show them! They only make fun of us.

- So we all agree? - Yes.

- Look, how beautiful it is! - Beautiful, huh? - It's beautiful, isn't it?

It's a pleasure for the eyes!

- Hey, Aldo! Aldo! - Here he is.

The first tractor of the lower country.

- what a wonder, look! - Let's take the world for a ride.

And you?

I am not married.

But I am more married than all of them.

- Ice creams! - Why don't you wait for the cyclists' arrival?

I once saw the Giro d'Italia cycling competition and I didn't care much for it.

So why aren't you there?

- Did you read that book? - Yes.

See, I always have it with me.

But it was hard. I didn't understand it all.

Why don't you explain it to me?

What do you want me to explain!

Come on!

Fine...

Her body, heavy and clumsy, broken by hard work and her husband's beatings,

moved silently, sideways, as if she were afraid to hit something, at all times.

She was pliable, sad and submissive...

and tears ran down her cheeks.

It's not difficult.

A mother.

As if it were...

my mother, or your mother.

Like this, it's easy to understand.

But I am afraid it's just because you make it clear for me.

It's good anyway, isn't it?

What do you think of me?

I think you're a beautiful girl...

and that you are not as dumb as you say you are.

Oh no, I am stupid indeed.

But tell me the truth. Do you think I am impudent?

Well, a little.

See?

Instead you must know that in my life, I have never been with a man.

Poor you! Why? Were you sick?

What are you talking about!

No, it's because since I first saw you, I haven't liked anybody else.

But we've known each other for just three days!

Right. I've been looking at you for ten years...

and you never noticed.

- Then I must be an idiot! - No.

It's just that you don't like me.

I don't like you??

See, it's not true.

I really like you!

I would make a baby with you!

Then marry me!

I can't.

But it's hard to explain.

If you explain it to me, I am sure I will understand.

It's for the principle.

See, I am against marriage, as it is right now.

Don't think this is an excuse.

If someone else had said that, then I would have thought that.

But not you.

We choose a bond because we want it.

And not because the law, or the priests, impose that on us.

Yes. what matters is to love one another.

Then there is another reason.

I don't want to expose my partner to the risks I go through.

Your partner?

Yes. You.

But I don't want to take advantage of you.

If it's true that you love me...

It's true.

Then you are not taking advantage of anything.

Aldo?

You've been like that for months.

You know you can always talk to me.

It's nothing.

No.

Come on, talk.

If you don't mind...

Can I bring him here... Both of them?

No.

Let's go.

Here I am scared. I don't wanna come.

I am happy this day arrived.

You'll see! Mom is an understanding woman.

What if somebody else started gossiping...

Don't worry, ok?

I'll answer to them!

Let's go!

Come on!

Here we go... the fifth grandchild.

This one looks more like his grandpa than like his dad!

Come, my new daughter! This is your house.

Here, look at him... Look at his eyes.

Say, grandma, doesn't he look like grandpa?

Hello.

welcome.

Well well!

Very brave!

I don't think any bourgeois girl could do the same.

And then your mother!

This family that welcomes them as part of it.

You're nice folks, aren't you?

Well... you'll meet them.

So this Lucia Sarti is not a lunatic, who does propaganda only when she acts!

She's a serious person.

An activist.

She's part of the clandestine movement.

She has connections to the centre.

Got it?

Until now, we have only worked alone.

But we need more than this to really change things!

But... this is not a game.

We have land, wives... and children.

The more we get involved, the more the risks.

Fine, fine!

But why do we do this? Have you ever asked yourself?

I have. Why did we never talk about this?

So explain me, why me!

What do you want to explain, at this point!

You must know... inside.

But I know! Like you, I know.

But I also know that we have work to do and instead we're here doing nothing.

All the other are calm, quiet...

why only us?

Exactly because they don't do anything, I understand that they're wrong!

I am sorry for Margherita!

Even if I go to jail... as long as I find a nail, a match...

I will be ok!

I am in!

Even without nails.

We were always on the same page.

We missed politics!

We're seven.

We'll do it in four.

The other three will work harder for us too.

Too bad!

Because seven is a good number.

And I don't have any warranty that I'll live until one hundred years old!

Sure... live quietly!

Look... for me...

we don't want to force anybody to go to jail...

or to die!

I don't want you to get in trouble.

I wanna see you all here...

together...

as we've always been.

Our reasons are good, mom...

We're seven in here and we all think the same way.

But excuse me...

aren't they doing their duty?

They waste money?

Allora?

Then you tell me what we should do!

Send them away because they want justice?

So, what should we do?

I know they're right.

The others, no.

I am scared.

No, no.

I don't smoke.

So it's decided.

Do you really feel like doing it?

They're ready!

- Hello. - Hi.

Hey!

As Mussolini said...

the sons of Italy are hungry for land.

Our fatherland will have its place in the sun.

Soon his majesty, the cannon, will be invited to speak.

An anti-war attitude cannot last forever.

This is the dune...

- Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ta-ra... - Come on, come on!

What are the words?

- Ta... - And since we are women... - Heh, there we go! - we are not scared...

but for our children... - La-la-la-la-la-ra... Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ta...

- Aldo! - Uh? - Aldo! - Uh?

You know, since we work together I have been acting better!

- Listen. - Everything is better.

Listen! In your opinion, out of 1000 flyers, how many really arrive?

Well, you know... our is a slow work.

It moves slowly, but... little by little, they arrive.

- They arrive? - Yes, they do!

I think it will take centuries to convince people with flyers!

Italians are asleep. They've been sleeping for 18 years.

I know, I know, Aldo. You are right.

But what can we do? How can we speak to millions of Italians?

Think!

What if the Fascist HQ in Reggio Emilia is blown up. - I wish!

And on the same day, at the same time...

other Fascist HQ are blown up.

In Piedmont, in Tuscany, in Sicily. 10, 20, 30... all together!

Well...

newspapers would talk about it...

and... the radio, too!

Something that big, they couldn't pass it under silence as they usually do, huh?

Aldo!

In a few days... a comrade from France will come here.

Let's talk about this with him.

Do you understand? The historical circumstances are not in our favor.

We can't do that. We can't go that fast.

But we need something big.

Something that will give people hope.

But we do look for people's hope and trust.

Every day.

And do you think that's enough?

Maybe we could try something more direct, more provocative... I don't know.

- You know. Time is on our side. - What if it were on their side?

Impossible! An historical cycle is not eternal.

In 1919 the occupation of factories failed...

and instead of the workers' occupation, we had the beginning of Fascism.

In 1922 they beat us.

But now they have to go to war.

They dug their own grave!

And when they will go to war, people will open their eyes.

wouldn't it be better if they opened them before the war?

What do you think she does? And I? Aren't we all trying to make people understand?

I know that, I know!

But I think that it's not enough.

In fact you think that only war can solve this situation!

Unfortunately, that's inevitable.

It's the consequence of their politics.

Aldo!

We cannot afford to risk our future chances for victory...

with these anarchic actions...

that always end up hurting who initiated them.

We have a line and we have to follow it. And you should, too.

We can go out. The truck is here.

Yes, he's good, but he worries me.

He'll be very useful to us soon, you'll see.

But you are responsible for him, today.

You must lead him.

Well, we'll do as he says, but I am not convinced.

Ferrari...

Wouldn't have said that.

Remember!

Never give them a break.

Never stop.

Always make them feel that we are here...

with our work, our words...

and with weapons if it's necessary.

- Have you been to jail? - Yes. Ten years ago, when I was in the military.

But I should thank who sent me there.

You know, I only attended elementary school...

so jail was my university.

Hello.

That is your bed, over there.

And the bucket is there.

So...

where were we?

what do you want?

I want to listen, too.

Yes, so you can spy on us!

- A spy? - Stop!

Have you lost your mind?

He's right.

You should never say "spy" here.

But that's what he was doing.

He spied.

Yes, yes. Go back to your place now.

Listen...

Come here.

Come on!

Why are you in jail?

I was on guard duty. A sergeant who disliked me didn't say the watchword to provoke me...

so I shot him.

Did you shoot him in his head?

No! His hand...

Then at the trial he lied and fabricated fake documents...

and they believed him.

If you had killed him, you would have gotten rid of a witness...

and you would have had fifteen days of leave, you see!

According to the rules.

I prefer things this way.

Who knows.

You should never stop midway through. What school did you attend?

The "school" of the fields.

When I came here eight years ago, I was exactly like you.

Why don't you take advantage of your time in prison?

See? We try to educate ourselves...

to understand more.

We discuss.

I never liked chatter, and regarding books...

What about books?

Those interest me.

Here you go.

Read this.

We couldn't conclude without addressing...

- Did you read the book? - Yes.

- a thought of deep devotion... - What do you think about it?

I don't agree with it.

I hope you don't agree with that one.

That one disgusts me.

So what's wrong with it?

I am a catholic.

... the sanctity of our fatherland!

This is the word...

You see? At this point, you need to take him to the hospital.

Take him to the infirmary. We'll take care of it.

Major, This has been going on for a month.

If you don't take him to the hospital at once...

You're either an idiot or an assassin.

- I could take you to court for this! - That's fine!

But I prefer to pretend I didn't hear you.

Doctor, that's enough! He is right.

Take him to the hospital immediately.

I had already decided that, anyway.

Go ahead!

Ah... it was good to call the priest!

See? Christian compassion can be useful.

Heh... you really don't want to see some things!

I know that that is a perfectly fine priest.

There are many of those.

I even know some of them.

But Christian compassion doesn't get rid of Fascism. We need to fight!

And we are those who fight, today!

And those who are with us.

That book you read. That taught us.

And many other books.

Yes, but we are against Fascism, too.

They disbanded our "white unions"... All the associations...

But then with the concordat, they settled everything.

They bless the pennants...

and there is the Man of the divine providence...

so Fascism got stronger.

Have you ever thought, what is Fascism?

well, yes... I see what it is.

Hah... not really!

Without the black shirts, the skulls,the "I don't care", the parades, all that doesn't count...

Think of who benefits from it, instead.

You peasants, the factory workers, the poor people?

What side is Church on, these days?

Remember!

Never give them a break.

Never stop.

Always make them feel that we're here...

with our work, our words...

with weapons, if necessary!

With these people, who do you want to convince?

Hello.

Could I have a book?

They're not ready yet.

And these ones?

No. These are not good.

Whatever!

You are a Manzotti, aren't you?

- Yes. Walter. - Should I write? - Yes.

You're back, huh?

Listen! What do I have to do in order to get some books?

Nothing. You write your name here and we give you a card. Then you come back here and you get the book you need.

- When I come with my card, can I get it? - Try to read this one.

Then maybe we meet one of these evenings, and we can talk about it...

"The Iron Heel"

And then we talked about it, we discussed...

Hah... it seemed very important!

We thought we could change the world.

But it was a wonderful thing!

Do you know how it ended?

That they shut down our library.

I am sure it was useful.

Much more than you think it was.

Useful for what?

Fascism was triumphant. They praised it even abroad.

The flight of the decennial!

The empire! Marconi in a black shirt!

Italy is the soccer world champion! Yes!

We would have needed 100, 1000 more libraries like ours, in the whole country!

You always end up there! Always impossible things!

We make them impossible!

what do you think you can achieve with this petty mole job?

I don't like that you despise my work.

Because in this way, you despise all those who end up in jail for our cause.

And you despise me too - I have been doing this "petty mole job" for years!

Who do you think you are?? - I think I am one who can't take it anymore!

I am sick of waiting, of hearing rumors.

And I am sick of you, too!

I understand.

If I can't let off some steam with you...

You're out of your mind! That bag, you had to forget?

Listen... It's the first thing I could find. I was distracted, and it's your fault, too.

- Right, now it's my fault. - I know, I made a mistake, I know...

I'll pay for this. There was my name on it, not yours!

- Lucia! On stage! - Leave me alone!

Your mom is running out of ideas! She's improvising!

Come on, go ahead! Go!

- Where did you leave it? - Under a bench, in the waiting room. How many times do I have to repeat it?

Aldo?

I am sorry.

I'll leave them here!

We found this bag!

Who lost it? - Me. It's mine. I am here to get it back.

One second. What's inside?

Nothing important. Papers, documents.

Let's see.

Next time, be more careful!

We have been lucky.

Think of what would have happened if they had found out!

I must be more careful. For a while, I've been acting stupid.

I could have sent to jail 20, 30 people that we don't even know.

"How many times, when evil Fascist squads were passing by, we saw the desperate faces of peasants...

the women's arms, raised to the sky, amongst the devastated fields."

I think it should end here.

Yes.

You know? You are right.

We can't afford to lose our mind.

The tour in Piedmont... we couldn't delay it.

You will be more useful up there.

We can work on our won here, now.

- Ok... - Bye.

Bye.

" Fighters...

on earth, land and air,

black shirts of the revolution, and of the legions

mean and women of Italy,

of the Empire and of the Kingdom of Albania,

listen!

The declaration of war

has been already given to the ambassadors.

Let's enter the war

against the plutocratic and reactionary Western democracies!

Our conscience is absolutely calm.

The rallying cry...

is one only:

TO WIN!"

DRAFTING

You!

Whoever insults it , is a traitor!

Insult whom?

My hernia. It saved me!

I wish I had your hernia!

And to think that they printed, stamped and sent this thing...

while we were working!

- Where do you have to show up? - In Conegliano Veneto.

I have to go to Parma.

Now only your signatures are missing. You may go first, Madam.

My apologies... I mean Miss.

How did it go?

I signed that she's not my daughter anymore.

What are you saying, Evelina! She's still yours, you know?

It was needed so that I didn't have to go to war.

Ferdinando saved Aldo e Antenore with his hernia.

But what could I do?

In order to be extempt, one needs at least four children.

My wife could only give me three.

Hey! Hey!

Look at me!

Do you think I would have asked you, if I thought it was a wrong thing to do?

No.

See, us not getting married served a purpose at last.

Let's go!

NAPLES BOMBED

So, we shouldn't go to war, huh?

But the bombs that they throw on us don't fall only on the Fascists' heads!

They hit women, children!

If we don't defend ourselves, who will? It's not a matter of Fascism or anti-Fascism anymore...

And if we lack soldiers...

who will defend our land, our houses and our people?

Calm down, guys! Think about it!

Those bombs, even though English people are throwing them, it's as if it were the Fascists!

We've been trying to understand these things together for years.

Excuse me, I wasn't the one signing the Pact of steel.

Did you declare war to France?

Are you Hitler's friend?

Ok, but if people call me a coward, what should I reply?

He's right!

Everybody goes to war.

So because everybody goes, I should go, too?

You talk a lot because you're old and they didn't draft you!

If they draft me, I'll cut my finger off.

Don't worry... with this war they should have enough!

On that day, you see, the first to say "war"...

we'll beat him up!

Right, yes.

Yes.

Go to work, come on!

How can one show that he's not afraid?

I'll tell you.

I'll go to the secretary of the Fascist Party ...

and I'll tell him: "Let's see who is more brave!"

Let's go to the bell tower and throw ourselves down.

Or go to Berlin.

You go to Hitler's office and tell him: "I am Ovidio Cervi", and you shoot him.

What are you doing? Come in, enter.

Ettore!

Come on, sit here!

Look how they dressed you!

Leave him alone! Would you like to eat something?

Make him some food! And some wine, too!

- When do you have to leave? - Tomorrow morning.

- I'll take you to the train station. - We will all come with you!

I am sorry, but in front of the others, I was ashamed to be exempt!

- Oh, really? - What could I do?

But I am sure of one thing. I'll always shoot in the air.

We're not worried about the old anti-Fascists. They've always been against us, but they won't do anything.

But we have to be careful with the young ones. They're too restless.

With those people, slaps are not enough.

We have to eradicate them, chief!

Read here what they say.

- Do you have any proof that it's them? - Here you go!

Here! I know who they are. But you have to find the evidence.

Follow them everywhere. Never leave them alone.

Vittorio Grasselli.

Odetta Borciani.

Laura Fanzini.

Caserio Davoli.

Aldo Cervi.

What are you doing here?

I came in person.

And then, I wanted to see you.

What happened?

They arrested everybody at Borciani's.

They confiscated the cyclostyle and all the material.

They also came to our house.

They were looking for you.

And Gelindo?

He's sleeping out tonight, out of prevention.

But they came only for you.

These damned black shirts!

Sooner or later, it was bound to happen.

We talked about this a lot, at home.

You have to go to the Sarzi family.

The Sarzis?

here you can hide better.

Among all those artists...

That's true.

Among all those artists...

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

well done!

Bravo! Bravo!

I am happy that you are back.

I am also happy to see you again.

We're only here temporarily and we don't know your situation well.

But the First of May is close...

and we should take advantage of that, somehow.

Yes, that's right!

They're running out of time.

And after the March strikes, in Milan and Turin, whatever blow we deliver, ever small...

bring us closer to the end.

We thought we could put the red flag on the tower of the town hall.

Yes, that's good.

But... at this point... we would need people's participation.

Is it impossible to organize a demonstration?

I don't know... we could meet at a specific point, in the streets.

A ten-minute demonstration and then...

They arrested Andreasi half an hour ago. Let's leave/

Starting tomorrow, our group will be in Pinerolo.

For anything, we will be there.

- Bye. - Bye.

Pull!

Pull!

Pull, this way!

Do you think we can finish by tonight?

I think so.

Go! Go!

Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong...

For the whole world.

- I know, my lady. - Oh, Emilia!

- But I believe... - But I believe that the guilt, if wives are unfaithful...

Goodnight, Emilia.

Heaven me such uses send, Not to pick bad from bad...

but by bad mend!

It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul!

Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!

A kiss, and this is the last! She wakes.

Othello?

Ay. Desdemona.

Have you pray'd tonight, Desdemona?

Ay, my lord.

If you bethink yourself of any crime Unreconciled as yet to heaven and grace...

solicit for it straight!

I would not kill thy soul.

- You... - Talk you of killing?

You talk of killing! Aldo, watch out!

Didn't I use to call you Aldo in our happy days? - Aldo Cervi. Come with us.

Police. - Aldo!

The happy days are over.

Sweet soul, take heed, Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed.

- Aldo! - Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin.

A moment of attention!

A moment of attention!

Fascism has fallen! Mussolini was arrested!

Long live freedom!

- War is over! - Yes!

Long live freedom!

Go away!

Aldo!

- Lucia! - Aldo!

- Lucia! - Aldo!

Aldo! We've been waiting for this moment... for so long!

Why don't you marry Lucia?

Why do you ask me?

You work together.

You get along.

She's more useful to you than me.

We helped each other... and we like each other.

I know that.

I know what happens to me... to all men.

I don't like to be out and about, you know!

I feel better here, in my house..

Things go this way, nowadays.

Soon... everything will be over.

Your work... is easier than mine.

But more important.

Because it lasts for your whole life.

But if anything happened to you...

I would be left alone with two children...

who don't even have your name!

That is not very important for me...

but others mind that.

Don't listen to them.

When the war will be over...

the world will be very different.

Many things won't be important anymore.

And you will be the first to be respected.

The air is dark, night is falling

from Quirinale to the villages.

The old Rome sleeps

but in a villa everything is lively.

Now an ambulance comes to villa Savoia

and brings inside the executioner, hand-cuffed.

But they should bring him back where he was born,

there, many would be glad to "massage" him.

You already understood this, I am talking about Benito (Mussolini).

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

The Marshall Badoglio declares:

"War continues.

Italy, grievously hit in its invaded lands...

and in its destroyed cities,

will keep its promise."

Peace! Peace!

"This is not the time to act in ways that will not be tolerated."

Peace!

"Public demonstrations and meetings of more than three people are forbidden."

Peace! Peace!

"The police was ordered to disperse these gatherings."

Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace!

Peace! Peace! - Squad!

- Peace! - Aim!

- Peace! Peace! - Stop! Demonstrations and gatherings are forbidden.

Peace! Peace! Peace! Peace!

Stop, I said!

Stop!

- Peace! Peace! Peace! - One more step and I'll order to shoot!

Stop!

Soldiers, don't shoot on the workers!

First row, on your knees! Ready to fire!

Fire! No!

Assassin!

Executioner! Dirty assassin!

Assassin! Assassin!

ITALIANS! Your King and Marshall Badoglio have committed the most vile betrayal against our German allies.

From today on, all Italians, soldiers and civilians, are invited to seek protection from Germany.

Whoever doesn't respond to this invite will be punished with death.

The German Kommandantur.

- So? Go on! - What do you want me to tell you!

I had to spend two years in Jugoslavia to understand that you were right.

I saw things of all kinds, over there!

I am really sick of war!

But I still approve the war against Germany!

Stop!

My name is Dante Castellucci. Three years in Ventotene.

Sintoni sent me, come on!

Let's go!

This is a comrade. Sintoni sent him.

Good evening!

Is there anything left for me?

Sit down here.

This one is so skinny, he might even have the pinworm.

Now we even have a French man!!

French man? I am from Catanzaro.

It doesn't matter.

Hunger! Long delayed hunger!

Guys... hunger !

Oh, but I can pay!

I can embroider, cook, keep the accounts, I can be a whitewasher, a painter, a musician...

I escaped to Paris. I am an interpreter!

I know French.

And English.

And I even know some Russian.

And I could make a whole speech in Spanish!

Did you fight in Spain?

Yes.

Frente de Teruel...

What do you think of doing, here?

We haven't received a clear plan yet.

Do you have weapons?

We are starting to gather some.

- Bye, pa! - Bye, son!

Good luck.

Come on, come on!

This way!

Our family grew bigger, huh?

It's so messy and loud! If one wants to talk, he must go outside.

You also can't take this anymore? - No, no! - Heh, you work too much!

These children are exaggerating.

No.

We're lucky that they are all still here.

Even if there is no money...

and the mortgage still to be paid.

Soon we will have all sorts of difficulties...

but I don't people to go hungry in my house.

Rome.

Today at the Adriano theatre, Italy's Marshall Rodolfo Graziani said:

"The Supreme German Military Command wants to give me...

the command of this new army that will be formed...

with our troops...

and with the aid of some German troops...

under my direct orders."

See? The house is really big. In the barn they keep 20 or 30 deserters.

I see. Let's go.

"Italians and Germans fight for the triumph of Nazi-Fascism!

The struggle, officers and comrades, is to the knife!

with knives, this is how we should..."

Why did you turn it off?

What they had to say, they said it.

Now we decide what to do.

what do you want?

Who are you?

Stop!

We are not looking for poor people like you.

We are not bandits.

stay in there and don't act stupidly!

Go!

Go! Move, move!

From 1921 to now, you committed all sort of crimes!

Now you're done!

Wasn't it enough what we already did here, at home?

Are you sure this is the right thing to do? Did you really think about it?

We did think about this a lot. Don't worry about us.

Tell me! what do they do in Jugoslavia, in France? They go to the mountains to fight. That's how it is.

Look, I trust you!

- Don't worry! In the mountains, a man armed and determined is as good as fifty soldiers. - Yes, yes.

And when he learns his work, even more!

We have been useful here, but things need to change...

and in order to change them, we need these godforsaken things!

And us... what are we supposed to do?

You are more in danger than us.

Be careful! Don't put yourself at risk. Nobody else should come here.

There is the death penalty for that! - Go, go!

Bye beautiful.

Why are you leaving?

What you're doing is right.

I feel that it is right.

Even I can understand these things.

Take good care of my children, Verina!

It is the most important thing we have!

Stay at home as much as you can, inside.

- Bye. - Bye.

They don't sleep here, come on... come!

They're coming.

- Hey, beautiful brunette, what are you doing up there? - Would you like to come up here with me?

- Oh, sure thing! - I don't know if you can do that!

Then I'll come up, I can climb stairs easily!

You're not very impressive, climbing stairs.

I am used to men who go over mountains, for me!

But come in, guys! I'll pick the most handsome.

- Freeze! - And don't try to protest!

We only want your weapons.

In line! In line!

- I'm going to kill you! - Stay there, don't move!

- Why don't we kill all of them? - No. No.

These people... once this is all over, they will take off their uniforms...

and will go back to work with all the others.

Come on!

Come on! Down! - Come! - Face down!

Face down!

Who are you?

I deserve to die just because I made the mistake to go with those ones!

I understood that Fascism is a shame. Save me! I wanna come with you!

I wanna come with you! - Ok, calm down...

If we didn't save you, you would have been at the gates of Hell by now.

Pay me and then you can mind your own business! - I wanna fight with you!

I can run until death! Mine will be a Holocaust for a holy cause.

Calm down! Don't get exalted like the Fascists!

So many lies! Think about saving your life, it's the most important thing!

Go back to the valley?

We didn't mess around, here!

We have no problems for weapons!

Here, look!

We have a hundred more here!

We didn't get them as presents, you know?

So...send us some men up here and try to establish some connections...

We will take care of the rest!

But then what's the purpose of our political guidance?

I am a farmer, I am not a politician.

But I learned one thing.

That we build our experience here in the mountains, day after day...

Even if we make mistake, let us do that!

For now we can only move in the rural areas, because the farmers are with us.

But how can you, in the city, know what's going on here, our problems...

But you are isolated here! Maybe in a few months...

Oh... it's easy for you!

when a thing is good, it's good for everybody!

But someone must start!

And then... isolated! You will see how many people will join us if we keep fighting!

They also have plenty of reasons to rebel!

But it's up to us to bring them out!

We don't think in this way!

Do you want to stay here? Then stay!

But don't move a finger until we get the orders from the National Committee for Liberation.

We make our own struggle.

And this is also our political direction.

- It's money, take it! - No, you can't sleep here. I don't want problems.

Come one, quick!

Come inside, come on! Take a seat here!

I am a friend of the priest.

But don't say profanities, ok?

Come on!

I know how it is, here!

Go ahead!

Good, seat here!

Come on!

Hello, Father Pasquino.

Aldo!

Come here!

So, this is Father Pasquino!

Father Pasquino Borghi, the priest I told you about.

You can stay here.

One night, two nights... as long as you want!

This is your house.

Yes Father!

Thank you, Father.

Hm?

No, no... wait!

I can pray later.

Let's talk.

What do you want to talk about? I am dead tired.

Why can't we talk?

We have to talk about concrete things.

Why can't we talk about practical things?

Huh?

Do you smoke?

No, no.

You've been up here for just a little while. You've done a few ambushes.

But you need to make more substantial actions!

You have to attack more evidently, more openly...

if we want to give courage to those 200-300 cowards...

who are hidden in the cellars and in the attics!

I... I...

I tried to make them come out...

but what can I do, all by myself?

In your opinion, what will happen next?

Next to what?

When we will be done killing each other like dogs, and we will be in charge!

Well, how am I supposed to know!

The things you say are fine, and right. It's what you're wearing that I don't like.

Let's be content with what we have to do today.

It's already a lot.

Then... then we shall see!

The Divine Providence never sleeps, you know?

Hah... the Divine Providence!

Weren't you a Catholic?

Yes, I was.

I am not angry at those who still believe.

It's your official policy that I loathe.

I hate it too, you know!

When I used to tell my boys, in the church...

to rip the papers that said they were drafted...

and not to go... and get killed like dogs...

not to go die for nothing...

what do you think? That my bishop was happy?

You know how many punishments I had to endure?

Not even a martyr!

- Hey? - No, it's all right.

Sometimes I punish myself.

But then I can't stand anymore.

- You know? - What?

You a ill-fated guy, like me.

And you will never...

be a cardinal.

Go rest now.

I put the mines...

in place.

I am ready.

What is the priest doing? Is he coming or not?

Well? Are you alone?

They don't want to come and help.

I spoke with all of them, one by one. They say you're too few...

and that they don't feel safe.

Stop! Stop! We can't!

- Are you out of your mind? - At least those in the village will wake up. - Stay down!

I am scared too, like the villagers!

Go away! We can't attack anymore. What should we do?

Calm down!

Let's retreat. Four by four.

Come, this way! Ettore! Come!

As soon as the first one go 400 meters, they give us a sign and the second ones will pass them.

Ok. Let's escape to Bismantova. Bismantova!

Go!

The priest and one of the Cervis are behind.

Aldo!

Aldo!

Gelindo!

Hey, hey!

Aldo!

Where is the priest?

The Fascists were coming down from the village.

I hid in the water for an hour...

and I couldn't hear anything anymore.

But I think they got him.

You have to give this to Lucia. Remember the address.

7 Roma Street, by Canova.

It is important that in Reggio people know where we are.

Go home. Tell them that we are fine and that they should be careful.

This one... use it only if you absolutely must.

Go, go!

- Bye. - Bye.

Aldo!

Aldo!

What now?

The American is staying, the others are leaving.

As they prefer! So... Tell them to stay off the roads.

And that they should follow the telephone poles.

- How many kilometers? - 60.

Here. Once they arrive in La Spezia they should go to the address of those three comrades.

Yes. And then they will send them southwards, little by little.

Good!

Bye. Bye.

We can't keep discussing whether the Cervis are right or wrong.

Only one thing should worry us.

That we don't knwo where they are.

If they are still there.

Beyond any feelings, the new situation now...

that we should seriously consider...

is the here too, now, following their example, fighting in the mountains have started to happen.

Like in Piedmont, in Veneto, And in many other areas.

Wait, wait! It may be as you say, but this an uncontrolled initiative!

Is there a party discipline, or not?

Let's not waste time. We have to get in touch with them.

The Germans have alerted the whole area around Cervarezza.

It's time that even the mountain folks start to understand.

We should insist. Let's hurry.

And it's not only the Cervis. I have a list that can prove...

that other groups of comrades have moved to the Apennines.

Read here.

At tonight's meeting, Veroni and I will insist so that the Committee establishes immediate contact.

Ok?

I think this is the right thing to do.

We couldn't find Lucia.

Nobody can enter in Reggio.

The whole city is blocked off.

And at home?

What's wrong?

It's full of deserters.

What are they doing? Are they out of their minds?

Do they know that our house is under surveillance?

And you... you should have taken the deserters with you!

They want to get in contact... but they don't want to move from there.

This guy says that they had a meeting...

and as allied soldiers...

they have to go back...

and meet with all the deserters that are out there.

What do you think?

At this point, what are we doing here?

We should go down to the valley, too.

Let's go down. We'll stay just a few hours. Let's establish this damned contact...

and then we'll be back here.

You're soaking wet.

These last two night it has been a true hell, you know?

It's easier to work in the fields than to make war.

Adelmo woke up.

Go, go, I'll take care of myself.

I wanna be with you.

Me too.

- I'll be on guard first. - Me too.

I know I can't sleep anyway.

I stand there every night, with my eyes wide open.

These young people have to go through such terrible years.

Aldo, did you hear?

Get up!

Get up!

- What happened? - There are people around here.

Go call Gelindo and Ferdinando... be quiet!

Cervi, surrender! You're surrounded!

Surrender! You have no way out!

Ferdinando!

This time we can't make it!

- Ferdinando? - what? - They set fire to the barn! - Run downstairs!

They set fire to the barn!

Gelindo? It's burning!

Quick!

Don't shoot!

Stop! Everybody, stop! - Stop it!

Let's go outside and attack them!

No.

We are turning ourselves in.

Listen to me.

When they will question us...

the responsibility is only mine and Gelindo's.

All the others don't know anything.

Is that clear?

Stop!

Don't shoot anymore!

We're coming out!

Don't worry, I am not leaving them alone.

I'll go with them.

You too?

Be good!

Don't worry, be quiet!

Against the wall, quick!

Quick! - Quickly, get them here! Come on!

- Get a truck here! - Stop!

- Move! Move! - Against that!

The Cervis on one side, the foreigners on the other!

Agostino!

Take away the women! The women, away!

Orsetti, which ones are the Cervis?

This one... this one... this one... this one!

- Watch out! - Stop! Stop!

Assassins! Assassins! Assassins!

Get them on the truck!

Quickly! On the truck!

Don't just stand there! The house!

The house!

Stay back!

Four comrades and I, dressed as policemen...

we will go to the prison with the excuse of bringing in a prisoner.

Once inside, we will attack the guards and we will open the cell.

We chose New Year's Eve because there will be less guards.

A few guards will be at home...

and those at the prison will probably be rather drunk...

Yes, this can work.

It takes only some courage.

And let's hope we have enough.

We already scheduled the meeting. They have to be ready.

Lucia Sarzi will go. She knows how to let them know.

- Lucia? - Yes.

One of you would be overwhelmed with emotion...

and could ruin everything.

That's right.

Unfortunately we are people who can't act.

Everything will go well, Mom Cervi!

Aldo Cervi! Your wife is here to talk to you!

What about Verina?

She couldn't come.

I wanted to see her... and the kids.

Mom says... that they shouldn't see you in here.

Only afterwards, when you will be free.

They wanted me to come.

I have important things to tell you... but it's difficult.

I understand.

How is it going at work?

We go on.

But we're a little lost without you.

Especially me.

It's been a long time since I last saw you.

what a terrible Christmas!

But in five days it will be New Year's Eve and you will be with us.

At midnight... I'll think of you.

Think of me, too.

And tell the others, too.

Tell them that...

Iolanda, Margherita and Irnes will think of them.

And their friends, too.

Do you remember Dante, the French man?

He's back and he's always talking about you.

- He's back? - Yes.

It's like... we are all here, with you.

At midnight, precisely.

At midnight.

Yes.

Stay up... and the others, too.

We... We will open the champagne.

And... will you have some champagne, here too?

Yes, yes.

Don't worry, they treat us nicely here.

With or without champagne...

we will be awake.

The meeting is over.

It's true, you know...

that I think about you!

Aldo! Aldo, you will be free...

soon!

In Bagnolo they killed a comrade... just two hours ago!

The retaliation must be immediate!

- Ten for one. - Ok, but where can I find them?

There are the thirty people from Villa Minozzo that were arrested yesterday.

No, here in Reggio.

There are two prisons, full of inmates.

So you can pick whoever you want.

I would be fine with seven.

Let's do eight.

In their call there is a certain Camurri.

Gelindo Cervi. Antenore Cervi. Aldo Cervi.

Ferdinando Cervi. Agostino Cervi. Ovidio Cervi.

Ettore Cervi. Quarto Camurri. Come out, all of you.

Listen...

why didn't you call me?

I am the head of the family!

You are not on the list.

They are going to trial in Parma.

Come on, Dad! We'll be fine.

I have no expectations.

But even if they send you to Germany, I am happy.

You... you are strong. Resist!

Sure! Even if...

they send us to Germany...

we will teach to the German farmers...

to work in the fields.

Just try... to stay together, always.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

And then...

this war will end, right?

No, no. No.

Squad... prepare!

To your left side... left!

Line on the right... forward!

Squad... stop!

To your left side... front!

Squad... on your right side!

First row... on your knees!

Make ready!

Take aim!

Fire!

All those who worked to make this film would like to thank the city of Reggio Emilia