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Rome, Open City Reviews

1945

70
from 1872 members

Based on true the story of Don Morosi, a priest and Resistance worker shot by the Germans in wartime Rome, Roberto Rossellini's first feature after the Mussolini era has become synonymous with Italian neo-realism. Shot on the locations where the events actually happened, using hand-held cameras, film bought from street .. Read more

Starring	Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani/Aldo Fabrizi
Director	Roberto Rossellini
Genres	Drama, World Cinema

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Critic's review of Rome, Open City
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Rossellini's film, one of the definitive works of the Italian neo-realist period, was shot under extremely difficult... read more on Time Out
- 47856
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:18
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Most helpful member's review of Rome, Open City
View all members' reviews (30)
- - 32
  - 4
  Essential
  
  I came to this film pretty damn eagerly as according to myth and legend its the film where Rosselini single handedly invents my beloved Italian cinema (OK ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 98445
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Nostromo
  - Reading, England
  - 30 Apr 2005 at 13:46
Most recent members' reviews of Rome, Open City
View all members' reviews (30)
- - 0
  - 0
  Poor subtitles & video, but four & a half stars
  
  Made in 1945, but impressively realist & fresh, 'Open City' needs a new edition with FULL subtitles. All the characters were credible, the buildings... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1080733
- - blahblahblah
  - 38 reviews
  - Sandy
  - 11 Jan 2012 at 13:54
- - 1
  - 0
  mesmerised and inspired
  
  I would have given this a 5 star rating except the sub-titles were, as noted by others, too few for an English speaker. I speak a fair bit of Italian and so was... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 998251
- - a customer
  - 29 May 2011 at 15:46
- - 1
  - 0
  subtitles let this down so badly!
  
  I can't really review this as a film. I was so very frustrated with the subtitles (only appear occassionaly on screen and you are left guessing what they ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 923079
- - kartum
  - 206 reviews
  - west lothian
  - 13 Sep 2010 at 15:58
- - 0
  - 1
  Terrible subtitles!
  
  The film itself seems a bit dated these days, which I guess is an indication of how influential it was. I also found the religious theme a little dubious.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 873520
- - blackpoolmatt
  - 10 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 17 Mar 2010 at 19:30
- - 0
  - 0
  Subtitles!
  
  For all I know this film may be a classic, but this version is practically unwatchable for an English viewer due to the terrible quality of the subtitles.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 808943
- - a customer
  - Bristol
  - 09 Sep 2009 at 22:20
- - 0
  - 0
  Truly Awful
  
  Like other contributors I was more than angry watching this. I am fortunate that I can speak Italian but it was totally inexcusable to have great lumps of the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 780503
- - KorkyKat
  - 10 reviews
  - Stalybridge
  - 06 Jul 2009 at 20:28
- - 0
  - 0
  Don't rent this
  
  The subtitles are so poor that it's unwatchable. Probably only half of the dialogue is actually subtitled which leaves the viewer in confusion. The worst ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 777855
- - a customer
  - London
  - 30 Jun 2009 at 21:47
- - 1
  - 0
  Talk about a rough cut!
  
  In the last days of the German occupation of Rome, a priest and a housewife become involved in the resistance. Sixty years on this scratchy old DIY movie still ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 775414
- - Oldbloke
  - 222 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 24 Jun 2009 at 15:13
- - 1
  - 0
  Neo Realist False-Dawn.
  
  The low budget detracts from the opening of this film and it does take a while to engage, partially as a result of this. Aiming for a kind of tawdry realism ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 770715
- - russio
  - 144 reviews
  - Harlow
  - 14 Jun 2009 at 12:53
- - 0
  - 0
  Rome Open City
  
  Well acted, well made - a first rate enjoyable time watching a master of direction at work.
  
  Report this review
- 766303
- - Bradstonian
  - 18 reviews
  - Broadstairs
  - 04 Jun 2009 at 16:58
View all members' reviews (30)

- - 32
  - 4
  Essential
  
  I came to this film pretty damn eagerly as according to myth and legend its the film where Rosselini single handedly invents my beloved Italian cinema (OK ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 98445
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Nostromo
  - Reading, England
  - 30 Apr 2005 at 13:46
- - 7
  - 0
  Unforgettable Cinematic Milestone
  
  This film was shot in 1945, in black and white, with only natural lighting, and handheld cameras, so as it opens any viewer wanting or expecting Hollywood ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 125159
- - A classical actor
  - from deep in the glorious valleys of stunning Mid-Wales.
  - 19 Jul 2005 at 17:11
- - 4
  - 3
  Roma, Citta Aperta
  
  A compelling and ultimately moving account of Italian resistance during WWII. Pitched somewhere between neo-realism and melodrama, Rossellini's film cannot ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 495151
- - Calvin
  - 31 reviews
  - Edinburgh
  - 15 Nov 2007 at 15:02
- - 2
  - 0
  Superb
  
  There are times when things just seem to go right and this Film comes from that time. It is Art. I can't praise it high enough. Time flies by as I watch it... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 148526
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 07 Sep 2005 at 21:50
- - 1
  - 0
  Great film, ropy print
  
  A masterpiece, plain and simple. Others reviewers have waxed pretty lyrical about this film so I'll restrain myself to talking about the disc. It's not ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 165082
- - a customer
  - Saffron Walden, England
  - 24 Oct 2005 at 12:15
- - 1
  - 0
  Rome, Open City
  
  Superb accomplishment. A pinnacle in the development of cinematic commitment and moral strength. This film was shot in impossible conditions in 1945, entirely ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 501461
- - Flickophile
  - 7 reviews
  - London
  - 05 Dec 2007 at 22:43
- - 1
  - 0
  It's everything they say and much, much more!
  
  I was mesmerised by this movie! It's everything they say and much, much more! A true work of art! The most heart-breaking scenes, the naturality of the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 512656
- - a customer
  - London
  - 14 Jan 2008 at 08:46
- - 1
  - 0
  I echo the sentiment
  
  Further to the review from the Classic Actor from the Valleys of Mid-Wales,on 26 July 2005, as a born and bred Scouser who now lives in the less stunning (but ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 517010
- - Robert Dawson
  - Cardiff(actually the valleys but Cardiff is quicker to write)
  - 23 Jan 2008 at 23:27
- - 1
  - 0
  Neo Realist False-Dawn.
  
  The low budget detracts from the opening of this film and it does take a while to engage, partially as a result of this. Aiming for a kind of tawdry realism ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 770715
- - russio
  - 144 reviews
  - Harlow
  - 14 Jun 2009 at 12:53
- - 1
  - 0
  Talk about a rough cut!
  
  In the last days of the German occupation of Rome, a priest and a housewife become involved in the resistance. Sixty years on this scratchy old DIY movie still ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 775414
- - Oldbloke
  - 222 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 24 Jun 2009 at 15:13

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Rome, Open City
  
  Based on true the story of Don Morosi, a priest and Resistance worker shot by the Germans in wartime Rome, Roberto Rossellini's first feature after the Mussolini era has become synonymous with Italian neo-realism. Shot on the locations where the events actually happened, using hand-held cameras, ...