Film: Il Generale della Rovere
Year of production: 1959
UK Release date: 4th July 2011
Distributor: Arrow
Certificate: 12
Running time: 134 mins
Director: Roberto Rossellini
Starring: Vittorio De Sica, Hannes Messemer, Vittorio Caprioli, Nando Angelini, Herbert Fischer
Genre: Drama/War
Format: DVD
Country of Production: Italy/France
Language: Italian/Germany
Review by: Matthew Evans
Directed by Roberto Rossellini, one of Italy's most famous neorealist filmmakers, Il Generale della Rovere won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1959. Set during the Second World War, it seeks out and explores the darker aspects of human nature and many people's opportunist actions during times of war.
It is 1943 and Grimaldi (Vittorio De Sica), an apparent colonel in the Italian army, busies himself by swindling the residents of Genoa. Seeking out families whose loved ones have been imprisoned by the Nazis, Grimaldi promises to use his military contacts to ensure they are neither executed or deported to Germany and, in return, charges sizeable sums of money. However, when the Gestapo catch wind of his actions, he is promptly arrested and hauled before S.S. Colonel Mueller (Hannes Messemer).
But Grimaldi is in for a surprise. Instead of facing trial, which would most likely result in death by firing squad, Mueller makes him an intriguing offer: he may live if he agrees to impersonate the General della Rovere, a leader of the resistance who has, despite Mueller's orders to the contrary, been shot by the Nazis. Assuming the General's identity would land Grimaldi in a political jail for several years, where he would be forced to report back to Mueller with information, but it would save him from almost certain death.
Accepting Mueller's offer, Grimaldi assumes the identity of the General and finds himself charged with the task of identifying another resistance leader. However, as time passes, Grimaldi is torn between his debt to the Nazi colonel and the resistance fighters on which he is spying. Grimaldi's time in jail forces him to come to terms with his inability to declare allegiance to either side and eventually repent for his immoral actions during the war…
Described by Martin Scorsese as “the father of us all,” Roberto Rossellini can be credited with having a huge influence on future filmmakers; inspiring the likes of the French New Wave and even British social-realist films of the ‘60s. What's more, Il Generale della Rovere can be said to be one of Rossellini's most widely distributed films in the United States, aside from his war trilogy (Rome Open City; Paisan; and Germany Year Zero).
Whilst more formulaic than many of his other films, Il Generale offers a stark and often disturbing depiction of many people's seemingly nonchalant response to the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Grimaldi, a man whose moral judgement is somewhat shaky to say the least, embodies what many people have found so disturbing about the actions (or inaction) of those under Nazi occupation. Not only does Grimaldi turn a blind eye to the actions of the Nazis, but he's willing to befriend them, in order to extort his fellow Italians.
There is a scene nearing the end of the film where a man, locked in a cell, screams, “I didn't do anything!” However, when a fellow inmate responds, “Neither did we”, the man retorts, “But you're Jews.” The unwillingness of Italians to confront their unwanted Nazi guests is no better illustrated than in this scene. So long as their actions did not infringe on his liberties, the individual yelling, “I didn't do anything,” would happily stand by and let the Nazi's go about cleansing society of Jews. Many people were willing to accept distasteful ideology in return for a quite life.
Grimaldi straddled the line between both camps even more overtly. Whilst in conversation with fellow Italians, he confesses his dislike of their Nazi guests. Yet, when in conversation with Mueller, he expresses his support for the war. Furthermore, when arrested, he is more than prepared to give up the identities of resistance fighters, in return for a safe passage through the war.
Vittorio De Sica's performance as Grimaldi is captivating and has often been described as the best of his career. However, Hannes Messemer's superb portrayal of Mueller is one that is often overlooked. Just like Grimaldi, Mueller's commitment often wavers. His distaste for the use of torture and execution puts him at odds with many of his duties as a colonel. After ordering the torture of a prisoner, the news of the man's death seems to distress Mueller in a way one would not expect from a Nazi colonel. The captivating portrayal of both men, at odds with their conscience when faced with the chaos of war, is surely what makes Il Generale such a successful and intriguing film.
Whilst the film is more formulaic than some fans of Rossellini might prefer, there is much to be said for its cinematography. The manner in which the camera follows those on screen, often for extended periods of time, adds to our understanding of the characters. An example of this is Grimaldi's arrival at the Wehrmacht headquarters, where we follow him up the staircase, into a waiting room filled with townspeople and, finally, into the main office. This scene comes early in the film and, at this point, we are unaware of Grimaldi's activities. However, as we follow Grimaldi through the waiting room, we become acutely aware of his discomfort; he doesn't seem to fit in amongst the other townspeople.
Il Generale della Rovere may not be as gritty as some of Rossellini's other work but, whilst it retains a conventional structure, it does infuse this with Rossellini's trademark neorealism. Ultimately, the film's success lies with its two lead performances and their ability to convey the almost schizophrenic nature of those societies who found themselves under Nazi occupation. Il Generale offers an uncompromising insight into the immorality of some and the indecisiveness of others; both of which can be said to contribute to the atrocities that are committed during times of war.
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