When the Germans take over Rome during the Second World War, their commander leaves the Vatican alone. In the rest of the city, however they behave like Nazis (which they are), One priest begins almost single-handedly to save everyone he can.
I have grown wary of movies that begin with notices they are "based on a true story". They all to often use that as an excuse for dull film-making, or license to embroider the facts beyond all reason. This just-the-facts-ma'am handling of the tale of how Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (as played by Gregory Peck) worked to rescue thousands of people from the Nazi occupation of Rome, transporting them into Vatican City, keeps the embroidery to a minimum and benefits from extensive shooting in the Vatican and around Rome. Christopher Plummer offers a portrait of the banality of evil, monster on the day job, gemutlich, absent-minded husband at night. Gregory Peck as O'Flaherty offers a stage Irish brogue, and John Gielgud adds to his repertoire of popes.
At times it seemed as if the story was overwhelmed by the sites, costuming and set decoration - not the first time this has happened in movies set around the papacy - and Ennio Morricone's score is good, although rather conventional. Even so, it's good to see the old warhorses, Gielgud and Peck, at work, and that youngster Plummer is pretty good too!
Bob
I have grown wary of movies that begin with notices they are "based on a true story". They all to often use that as an excuse for dull film-making, or license to embroider the facts beyond all reason. This just-the-facts-ma'am handling of the tale of how Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (as played by Gregory Peck) worked to rescue thousands of people from the Nazi occupation of Rome, transporting them into Vatican City, keeps the embroidery to a minimum and benefits from extensive shooting in the Vatican and around Rome. Christopher Plummer offers a portrait of the banality of evil, monster on the day job, gemutlich, absent-minded husband at night. Gregory Peck as O'Flaherty offers a stage Irish brogue, and John Gielgud adds to his repertoire of popes.
At times it seemed as if the story was overwhelmed by the sites, costuming and set decoration - not the first time this has happened in movies set around the papacy - and Ennio Morricone's score is good, although rather conventional. Even so, it's good to see the old warhorses, Gielgud and Peck, at work, and that youngster Plummer is pretty good too!
Bob