Rome, Open City

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Sean H @Seanishere Oct 22, 2026 Rossellini’s Rome, Open City is a classic example of Neorealism, with its raw film style. This is shown not only through its use of nonprofessional actors and locations, but also through its shocking deaths, like Pina’s. The film feels realistic in its outcome because it does not offer a traditional way out for its characters, taking a more human outlook on suffering. Even when the viewer is offered some kind of respite through characters like Don Pietro, there is still no happy ending, as the children walk back into a grey Rome. It offers a break from Hollywood film with a traditional start conflict and climax, and leaves you having captured the reality of a Nazi-occupied Rome. See more Cole M @RT43981705 Oct 22, 2026 With Rome, Open City the strict approach of the story to stick as close to the historical context, both being filmed just days after the end of the occupation and the adherence to follow events as similarly as possible creates a resulting film that depicts Nazi occupation in a staggeringly honest way. While other films make large statements about the moral grey during this time the small passing moments of shame from a double-agent Nazi soldier to the momentary mental indulgence of murderous revenge of the Nazi occupiers speaks more to the complicated enmeshed moral nature of the conflict in passing than other films which attempt to focus it directly. The strong pacing of this film holds up in the modern day with it feeling significantly shorter than it's runtime which allows you to experience the film in a much more visceral sense. It overall was one of the strongest depictions of WW2 Nazi occupation that left me emotionally empty in the way I should feel after a film on this topic. See more Purok T @purok Oct 21, 2026 Very impactful film that leaves a big impression upon the audience. The final act especially, which directly challenged the Nazi German ideology in a very unique and thought-provoking way. The city of Rome during Nazi-occupied was also explored in great detail, and through the many locations and side characters we are able to see how the city has been struggling under occupation. Overall a great and intriguing film. See more Joaquin U @Joaquin1 Jul 14, 2026 Entertaining won’t be the word for this film; more like captivating. A powerful portrait of Nazi‑occupied Italy, showing the suffering and heroics of the resistance. Great cast, extraordinary direction, a script co‑written with Fellini, and the raw scenery of Rome’s real ruins. Still, the plot isn’t particularly engaging and gets a bit boring. A movie with a message — but you need to be in the mood for it. See more JD T @RT53186448 Mar 14, 2026 GRITTY REALISM. I seldom see a movie encapsulate these two words so masterfully. Roberto Rossellini depicts the lives of the rebels in Nazi-occupied Rome by balancing raw emotions with cold historical acuity. The dialogue is quick, the acting is smooth, and the visuals are striking. Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi absolutely steal the show! Magnani reveals herself to be a truly phenomenal actor, showing Pina's emotions so masterfully that at points you'd forget your watching a fictional movie. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't enthralled in this picture, and I am excited to see the other two film's in Rossellini's "War Trilogy" series! This is easily a contender for one of the best films of all time, and is definitely moving up into my top 10. See more Thomas S @RT53929595 Sep 13, 2025 Je dois avouer qu’au premier visionnage, Rome, ville ouverte m’a complètement échappé : je ne comprenais ni le contexte du tournage, ni ce que le film voulait réellement montrer. Ce n’est qu’après avoir regardé quelques analyses d’experts que j’ai saisi son importance. Le néo-réalisme italien, ce style révolutionnaire qui choisit de filmer la misère et la guerre sans fard. Le fait que le tournage ait été réalisé avec un budget minuscule, des acteurs ayant eux-mêmes vécu l’Occupation, dans une ville dont les ruines étaient encore visibles. Tout cela donne à l’œuvre une vérité brute, insoutenable parfois, mais profondément nécessaire. J’ai alors compris que j’étais face à un grand film, fondateur, qui a changé à jamais la manière de raconter la guerre et la condition humaine au cinéma. See more Read all reviews

Rome, Open City

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