IT | 1945 | b&w | 100 min
dir | Roberto Rossellini pro | Giuseppe Amato, Ferruccio De Martino, Rod E. Geiger, Roberto Rossellini wr | Sergio Amidei, Alberto Consilio, Sergio Amidei, Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini ph | Ubaldo Arata mus |  Renzo Rossellini ed | Eraldo Da Roma cast | Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani, Marcello Pagliero, Vito Annichiarico

First and classical realization of Italian Neorealism in cinema is a story about beginnings of the Resistance in Rome. At the forefront of antifascist group, which derives from various backgrounds, stands engineer Manfreddi. He’s supporter in the fight with invaders is priest Don Pietro. Common aim, that is unifying those ordinary heroes, often modeled on real persons, will make them ready to sacrifice their life. Rossellini leads the plot in a more naturalistic manner, reconstructing real incidents in authentic scenery. Despite of great Anna Magnani only non-professional actors were employed in the movie. Those solutions were to be a decisive factor why Rome Open City was of great importance for famous Italian Neorealists like Luigi Zampa, Vittorio De Sica, or Luchino Visconti.

AWARDS
1947 Academy Awards – Oscar nomination in category Best Screenplay
1946 Cannes Film Festival – Grand Prize of the Festival for Roberto Rossellini
1946 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists – Golden Ribbon in category Best Film and Best Supporting Actress for Anna Magnani