Jackson Booth-Millard Also know as The Night of the Shooting Stars in some cases, this Italian film I found in the book of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die was one had knew nothing about in terms of the concept, but I was very much looking forward to crack into. Basically, set during the end of World War II, 1944 in Italy it seems that defeat is certain for the Germans invading the country, they may be retreating but have left a path of destruction behind them, and there is rumour that they plan to bomb several buildings in small town. The villagers of this town are told that they should gather in the church, while half listen to this and trust the safety of the church with this threat is coming, the other half of the people dress in dark clothing and leave to seek the Americans who are rumoured to be near and liberating towns that they come to. Of course on the journey to find salvation the villagers cannot escape the pain, exhaustion and of course potential threat of incoming attacks around them, but they all stay close together to get through this and find the Americans and whatever hope for the future. Starring Paolo Hendel as Dilvo, Omero Antonutti as Galvano, Margarita Lozano as Concetta, Claudio Bigagli as Corrado, Massimo Bonetti as Nicola, Norma Martelli as Ivana, Enrica Maria Modugno as Mara, Sabina Vannucchi as Rosanna, Dario Cantarelli as Priest, Sergi Dagliana as Olinto and Giuseppe Furia as Requiem. I admit that on occasion this was a little hard to follow, but I understand the story well enough, there were some interesting moments of surrealism and humanity, the feeling of unity is good and obviously the fear of war is terrific, all in all it is a worthwhile Second World War drama. Very good!

treeline1 WWII is ending, and the occupying German forces intend to blow up a village before the approaching Americans get there. Half of the villagers decide to escape, so they sneak out of town to look for the Americans while hiding in wheat fields and fighting fascists.The movie is narrated by a woman who was a six year-old in the little band of townsfolk who escaped the village. The story is episodic and choppy, juxtaposing scenes that aren't always understandable. We never get to know any of the townsfolk as individuals; instead, we are overwhelmed with the general misery of war - the deprivation, constant fear, the cruelty, and even some surreal visions.I guess I missed the actual night of shooting stars and it was annoying to miss the significance of the title. Also, I was often confused as to who was who, but overall, it is quite an effective wartime horror story. In Italian with subtitles.

feofanova Great pictures and memorable details will convince all viewers, that this movie is a depiction of personal memories above anything else. But from a dramatic point of view I never felt anything during the film. I honestly didn't give a damn about the characters, since I never felt I got to know anything about them. They were nothing but desperate, hopeful villagers, full of emotions I did not quite understand apart from the obvious horrors of WW2 and the believable uncertainty of liberation from the Nazis and Fascists.But there was no psychological drama at all. No portrayal of single characters. The villagers are nothing but a social group all the time. A pregnant woman, a god-fearing child, a priest... But who ARE they really? They walk, run, die, walk, cry and walk again. But nothing much happens, and we don't know what's going on outside their small social community. Perhaps this isn't the point of the story, but I'd like to know it anyway.The acting is (in my humble opinion) very Italian. The theatrical approach, and the intense emotional expressions are predominant throughout the movie. I simply cannot relate to it, even though I tried my best (I bought the movie, so I would be a fool not to give it a try). But it did not work out for me.

il_matto For a different perspective of WWII, one should watch this essential, beautiful film. Of all the many pictures out there that deal with this tragedy, this is one I would consider necessary viewing. Amid the pain and tragedy of war, there are moments of poetry and beauty seen through a young child's eyes.