“Last Days of Mussolini” is an excellent movie showing the Italian dictator’s desperate attempts to escape Italy following the collapse of his government at the end of World War II. “Il Duce” (the duke) is shown fleeing “partisans” (authorities of the new government) first in luxury cars, then on foot. He meets with Americans, an Italian Catholic Cardinal, and others until he finally meets his end.
Rod Steiger delivers a low-key and earnest performance as Benito Mussolini. Henry Fonda appears in a handful of scenes as Catholic Cardinal Alfredo Schuster. Both delivered their performances in English, and later Italian actors dubbed in their lines in the Italian language of the film. Director Carlo Lizzani put forth an outstanding effort here, as the dubbing is almost seamless from the dialogue of the rest of the cast, which includes Franco Nero, Lisa Gastoni, Giacomo Rossi-Stuart, Giuseppe Addobbati, Bruno Corazzari, Lino Capolicchio, and Luciano Pigozzi. The musical score of “Last Days of Mussolini” was composed by Ennio Morricone, well known for the soundtrack of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (1966).
Last Days of Mussolini (1975)
cinema
My Review
“Last Days of Mussolini” is an excellent movie showing the Italian dictator’s desperate attempts to escape Italy following the collapse of his government at the end of World War II. “Il Duce” (the duke) is shown fleeing “partisans” (authorities of the new government) first in luxury cars, then on foot. He meets with Americans, an Italian Catholic Cardinal, and others until he finally meets his end.
Rod Steiger delivers a low-key and earnest performance as Benito Mussolini. Henry Fonda appears in a handful of scenes as Catholic Cardinal Alfredo Schuster. Both delivered their performances in English, and later Italian actors dubbed in their lines in the Italian language of the film. Director Carlo Lizzani put forth an outstanding effort here, as the dubbing is almost seamless from the dialogue of the rest of the cast, which includes Franco Nero, Lisa Gastoni, Giacomo Rossi-Stuart, Giuseppe Addobbati, Bruno Corazzari, Lino Capolicchio, and Luciano Pigozzi. The musical score of “Last Days of Mussolini” was composed by Ennio Morricone, well known for the soundtrack of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (1966).