Loosely based on a true historical event of the Italian "Risorgimento", the movie is set in Rome in 1825. Two "carbonari" revolutionaries, doctor Montanari (Hossein) and young Targhini (Verley) attempt to murder a traitor and are arrested. As we follow their ordeal, we also meet humble Cornacchia (Nino Manfredi), who is secretly the satirical poet Pasquino; Giuditta (Claudia Cardinale), in love with Montanari; Cardinal Rivarola (Ugo Tognazzi), one of the revolutionaries' main enemies; a friar (Alberto Sordi) given the task to assist the prisoners.
Nell'anno del Signore (In the Year of the Lord) treads on thin ice, since it portrays a real, dramatic event with a mostly facetious tone; however, the mix of comedy and drama works and gives the movie a bittersweet flavour.
Acting is strong, with a special mention for the always brilliant Manfredi, who shines as Cornacchia. Also excellent is Tognazzi as Rivarola: he resists the temptation to make the character a sneering villain and portrays him as cold, cunning and a little dreary. Sordi has a small, scene-stealing role.
The main soundtrack theme by Armando Trovajoli is memorable and hauntingly beautiful.
7,5/10
Nell'anno del Signore (In the Year of the Lord) treads on thin ice, since it portrays a real, dramatic event with a mostly facetious tone; however, the mix of comedy and drama works and gives the movie a bittersweet flavour.
Acting is strong, with a special mention for the always brilliant Manfredi, who shines as Cornacchia. Also excellent is Tognazzi as Rivarola: he resists the temptation to make the character a sneering villain and portrays him as cold, cunning and a little dreary. Sordi has a small, scene-stealing role.
The main soundtrack theme by Armando Trovajoli is memorable and hauntingly beautiful.
7,5/10