[RADIO] This is Radio Rome.
And now the news.
The High Command of the German Armed Forces
has issued the following communique.
At the Cassino Front, the German Tank Core victoriously counter attacked
futile attempts by the enemy to break the line of defence.
The enemy is now using Negro troops and other armed coloured people
in their vain attempts to advance.
End of communique.
From neutral, Stockholm and Lisbon sources
it has been learned that the Allies are becoming increasingly divided.
The Americans have accused the English of starving Europe.
And Churchill has been accused by British leaders as becoming
a slave of Wall Street and Jewish financial interests.
We inform our listeners that the curfew falls at 19 hours.
And beginning tomorrow the daily bread rations will be cut
from 150 grams to 100 grams per person.
Milk will be available...
[THE MARCHING OF TROOPS]
Ah, va fan...
Here is where you should start feeling fear.
No matter how carefully you cut the dust away, inevitably you
remove some of the painting with it, destroyed by the edge of your knife.
And the loss of even the most infinitesimal part of a true work of art must make you panic.
So, tremble as much as you like,
but when you are ready cut decisively, sure of every stroke.
The Father General is here with the gentlemen.
Good morning. Good morning, Father Antonelli. Morning.
Father Antonelli, there seems to have been a regrettable misunderstanding.
- Our friends... - May I? My dear Professor.
Weren't you responsible for the work on Masaccio's crucifixion
which was restored here at the Institute last year?
- Two years ago. - Two years ago.
It was displayed last month at the Staatliche Museum in Berlin.
Oh, I didn't know. Unfortunately something rather disagreeable has occurred.
One of our experts, one of the very best men we have in Germany seems
to be on the opinion you understand, that it was, er...
- Fake. - Strange.
A very good one to be sure but of slightly more recent vintage.
The panel itself is 15th Century,
early 15th Century according to the experts when Masaccio was in Florence.
But chromatographic analysis of the paint has revealed that this Masaccio
was painted a little less than two years ago.
Father Antonelli, do you paint?
May I know the name of this expert?
Seiglau Stuttgart, you know him of course.
Only by name. One of the greatest art forgers in Europe.
Then we may safely assume that he is an authority on the subject.
My business is restoring works of art.
It wouldn't be the first time I have heard of an original denounced
as a forgery, or a forgery taken for an original.
Let us simply say an error was made on the part of whoever sent the painting.
He mistook the copy for the original. I sent the painting.
I packed it myself when I was ordered to ship it to Germany.
Then nothing would be easier than for you to prove it's authenticity or not.
I fervently hope so.
And the people of Germany have taken Masaccio to their heart.
It would be cruel to disillusion them, would it not, Father?
Of course. You will, erm,
you will look into it immediately, will you not, Father?
It was a mistake. Yes. And every man is entitled to a mistake.
- One mistake. - I shall do everything possible.
The impossible too let us hope.
The church has always thrived on doing the impossible.
You know who they are, Father, don't you?
[LOUD EXPLOSION]
[A BABY WAILS]
On the 17th of March you went to a hiding place near the Risorgimento bridge to remove
a wireless transmitter which you use for contacting the Headquarters
of the American 5th Army and the Partisan movement in the state of Lazio.
Nothing to say?
What would you do in my place?
What would you do in mine?
- I'd have you shot. - Not before I'd talked.
I didn't think of that.
But then I'm not a policeman.
[SOFT-SPOKEN] You're wanted at Headquarters.
Carry on, Schutz.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello. Yes.
Yes, Father. Father Pancrazio.
Good evening, Father General.
You can be sure he wants to talk about the Florentine arts.
We simply cannot stand in their way.
You must also realise that Colonel Kappler went to you today prepared to do his best.
If he has to come back tomorrow, you can rely upon him to do his worst.
They will take away everything.
Down to the very last painting and the very last restorer, including yourself.
Oh, I understand the situation perfectly.
We sit here like sheep watching Rome being plundered in a way that would put the Vandals shame.
I know, my son, I know.
But you are aware of the mission the Holy Father has given me.
It is one of extreme delicacy.
Negotiations with the Germans at the highest level for the safeguarding of all Rome.
I am asking you to choose the lesser of two evils.
Are you asking me, or is this an order?
An order, Father Antonelli.
An order.
I thank you, my son. May Jesus Christ be praised.
May He be praised forever.
What would you do? Should we barricade ourselves
inside the institute and say, "Come, get it if you have the courage."
If everybody were ready to resist that way, I'd say yes.
The trouble is the people are exhausted and disillusioned.
Then we'll put up passive resistance.
No. I think it's about time Italians find themselves
some national conscience after 20 years of dictatorship.
Kappler, good of you to come.
You sent for me, General.
The Duce's new Minister for the Interior, His Excellency, er...
Guido Buffarini-Guidi.
The Duce says that he's the most hated man in Italy.
Hated and feared.
And as we say in Italy, the Duce's always right.
In that event Your Excellency, I'm glad to hear we're not the only ones the Italians hate.
Ah, Police Chief Caruso, good of you to come.
Kappler, His Excellency is most unhappy because of the difficulties
you have raised about the celebrations for tomorrow, the...
The 25th anniversary of the founding of the Fascist party.
On the contrary, I've raised no difficulties whatsoever.
Providing that the festivities were held behind
- closed doors. - Which means YOU have
prevented the members of our new Fascist Republican party from parading through Rome.
I did nothing of the sort.
I simply pointed out to the Head of your party that this seemed hardly the time
to provoke the citizens of Rome with a demonstration which they would find unpopular to say the least.
Such talk is inadmissible, Colonel.
All Colonel Kappler meant is he doesn't consider
that a public demonstration in Rome could come of without incidents.
Our men will safeguard law and order.
Then who would be left to do the parading.
Would your Excellency be kind enough to listen to a list of raids and sabotage acts committed in
the last 10 days against the German Armed Forces and our fascist allies?
We're aware there are some criminal elements.
Yes, yes. They're ingenious, audacious and well organised,
and they have a strategy, we know.
What strategy?
Block our supply lines.
Turn Rome into hostile territory and make us withdraw. Communists.
Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, Christian Democrats, Liberals and Monarchists.
Monarchists?
Monarchy is dead. The King went out with the traitors.
They will not dare attack a military formation.
Besides they are divided gangs.
Colonel Dollmann and I have good reason to believe the contrary.
There exists a military council with representatives
from every political party with the exception of yours, of course.
We're talking about a parade, Your Excellency, there are no military formations in Rome.
Rome is politically neutral.
Rome is swarming with German troops.
Tanks and whole divisions pass under the Pope's window every day on the way to the front.
You call that a neutral city?
I do not call it so.
Our leaders do and so does your Pope.
Therefore, Rome is politically neutral.
Besides there have been no troop movements through Rome for nearly a week.
A column of SS Troops has marched past my hotel every day for the past five days. Who are they Kappler?
11th Company SS Bolzen Police, sent here from the Tyrol recently.
Local security is considered by all, including His Holiness to be inadequate.
I have ordered the 11th Company to march through the centre of Rome every day as...
for psychological reasons. But that will be cancelled for tomorrow.
To march through the city on the day of Fascism's glorious anniversary would be useless provocation.
No-one would dare attack German troops.
General, I'm forced to insist.
Are you in charge or is this Colonel?
I am in charge. Commandant of Rome.
And where will be no parade tomorrow. Cancel, finished.
Celebrate whatever it is you want to celebrate, but indoors!
Kappler.
Sir.
Now sit down. Sir.
You don't like our allies very much, do you?
You asking my opinion, sir?
Politics is not strictly my field but I would say that Fascism is dead.
It must disappear so that we can hold onto the last vestige of our prestige here in Italy.
This means the elimination of Mussolini.
And if I were ordered to do so, I would know exactly how to go about it.
You say this.
You organised his rescue.
Our opinions, General, are rarely heard.
More often, we do as we are told.
Yes. You will do as you are told.
The Fascist parade is cancelled, but our SS column continues to patrol.
They are fully armed, I presume.
My boys can take care of themselves.
Tomorrow, they march.
Tomorrow, sir,
they march.
Elena here, carrying the raincoat. Paolo here.
The rest here, here and here.
When you get the signal, Paolo, you light the fuse.
Elena here, walking. You pass him the raincoat and escape here.
We'll be there at two, like clockwork.
Paolo, remember, you have 45 seconds to round the corner.
The fuse burns in 50.
You'll do it in 40...walking.
It's been tried out a hundred times.
Fuses don't always burn the same.
We know that.
Any questions?
[RADIO] This is Radio London.
Buona sera.
This is Colonel Stevens.
Today Mr Hitler ordered the occupation of Hungary, another of his former allies.
He would of course have preferred... [ RADIO CRACKLES ]
...what has happened to Hungary today, happened to Italy yesterday,
but we are confident that Italy will soon succeed in overcoming it's present difficulties.
Act now, my Italian friends, to help yourselves and the Allies will help you.
Good night.
You know, Dollmann, you've ruined my appetite by repeating
those nightly ghost stories you hear on the BBC. I'm not the only one.
They tell me there's not a single radio silent, unless Colonel Stevens is on the air.
The Romans love the way the English speak Italian.
Do not delude yourself, my friend.
I speak to Himmler every morning on the telephone.
Berlin is being bombed every night, the Russians move west on a thousand mile front.
Everyone expects the Allies to invade France any day now.
The Third Reich is sinking, my dear man.
We must be sure not to sink with it.
Is that what you're trying to tell me, Dollmann?
I don't need to make long distance telephone calls to know what's going on.
I just keep my eyes open here in Rome.
And you don't like what you see. I love Rome, Dollmann.
I love it's light, it's burnt, decadent colours,
it's crumbling stone.
- In spite of the war. - Perhaps because of the war.
We're Rome's masters, we control it.
For the moment.
It's getting more difficult every day.
Yesterday our Tribunal, our War Tribunal acquitted three Italians,
two men and a woman who, two weeks ago, would've been sentenced to death and executed.
But those gentlemen in the Wehrmacht also listen to the BBC.
They've started reading out lists of so called war criminals.
I suppose it must be somewhat frightening to hear one's name in that context.
Are you frightened, Dollmann? My name hasn't been mentioned yet.
And you, Kappler?
I'm afraid of disorder.
[MUSIC]: "Donizetti's"
♪ Una Furtiva Lacrima ♪
[WHIPPING NOISES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
- Giovanni. - Yes.
I'm looking for Father Pietro Antonelli, the Director of the Institute of Restoration. That's me.
From Colonel Kappler.
Excuse me.
"I understand that your Institute is short for materials that you use for restoration.
"I have managed to find a can of turpentine.
"They tell me it's the right quality for your work.
"You needn't have scruples about accepting it, it isn't plunder.
"If you have managed to find the Masaccio, you may give it to Captain Priebke.
"Unless you would prefer to deliver it to me in person,
which for the sake of formality would be the correct thing to do,
apart from giving me the pleasure of seeing it.
Have a seat, please.
General Harster's Headquarters.
Hello. Hello, this is SD.
Hello? One moment please.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[GUN CLICKS] [SOMEONE WHISTLES]
That's your uniform.
We better go. They're waiting for us and the Germans are never late.
Here's the raincoat.
[TEMPO OF MUSIC INCREASES]
These are all the men I can spare, Caruso.
They should help you maintain order on this happy occasion.
Thank you, Colonel. You are a true friend of Italy.
We're all true friends of Italy.
We Germans, the Pope, new Fascists, the Allies and the Partisans,
all true friends of Italy.
Poor Italy.
[BANGING AND FAINT SHOUTING]
Communists.
Italians.
[PERSON YELLING]: Viva la liberta!
Get his name.
[PEOPLE CHATTER IN ITALIAN]
I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Father.
- Only a few minutes. - Thank you for coming.
Thank you for the gift.
Ah, it's Colonel Dollmann you should thank for the gift.
He has great friends, we have great friends in the gallery of Modern Art.
That's impossible. Oh, really. Why?
No, I didn't... I meant that the people of the gallery told me they didn't have any left.
Well, probably you didn't offer them anything in exchange. Mmm.
I see you have this all wrapped up ready to be sent.
If you'd like to check it. No, no, no. There's no need.
I'm extremely sorry to be depriving you of it.
I'd be extremely sorry if it were destroyed.
Half of Europe has been destroyed.
That's why art is the only means for real communication from one people to another.
From one generation to another.
Only what is beautiful can hope to save the world.
Things that are beautiful, true and good.
A trinity older than that of the church.
Would you like to sit down? Thank you.
I saw you looking at that vase when I came in.
I found it in a bomb crater after an allied air raid.
- So war now serves archaeology. - Yes, yes.
Do you think it could be Etruscan?
Perhaps.
More likely it was brought in from Egypt by Venetian sailors.
There are some lines from Homer,
Ur, "Skilled silent chisellers with their craft created it.
"Venetian sailors brought it, erm, over the, over the..."
"Mist veiled seas to, er, display in the stalls of foreign ports."
Right. Excellent. Very surprising that
a priest reads Homer. I read when I have time.
So do I. So do I.
We have a great deal in common, Father.
We both read Homer, we both follow the orders of our Orders.
And, er, we both wear our uniforms honourably.
This is not a uniform, Colonel.
You're a soldier of the church, Father.
Your hypothesis, I say yours, but it's shared by
a great many other people is that the normal condition of society is peace.
I believe that the normal condition of society is war.
You call this slaughter normal.
I call it the madness of wild animals.
What would you do, if your church were attacked by wild animals?
Defend her. You see, Father, we are very much alike.
Great religions rise and fall because of the deeds of men like you.
Nations and civilisations are defended by men like me.
I'd much rather nations didn't need defending.
And I'd much prefer a religion that didn't need priests.
Well, I'm sorry, I have to go.
Very good of you to come along. Can I drop you anywhere?
Thanks, I prefer to walk.
Yes, I understand.
It's not a good idea to be seen in the same car as me.
We, er, we must be honest with each other, Father, whatever happens.
Do you know what Picasso said when France surrendered?
"The German Generals have beaten the French Generals. I am a painter.
"If the German painters want to take me on, I'm ready for them."
Picasso's a decadent bore.
Do you think he would've won? He would've won.
The Masaccio.
Mm-hm. "We'll fatten up the priests," Hitler said years ago,
"And they'll lead the flock."
Won't be too easy to fatten up that priest.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CART RATTLES ON COBBLES]
Hey, no parking here today.
The Germans come by here.
Hey. What are you doing round here? Who are you?
What's it to you?
This is my street.
So you pick it up. I'm just passing through.
- Where is Emilio? - Er, he's sick. I'm filling in.
Sick, eh? I had lunch with him.
What's inside there? Come on, tell me.
Coffee? Tobacco, cigarettes? Tell me.
You come and see me in Piazza Vittorio at four o'clock,
I'll get you some, eh?
I'll be there.
Be careful, eh?
And next time,
wear your badge right.
If they don't come in 15 minutes, we call it off. Pass it on.
Look, I'm waiting for someone.
[THUDDING OF MARCHING BOOTS]
[ORDERS SHOUTED IN GERMAN]
Go and play somewhere else. Look, go down there. Please go home.
Go away, you'll get hurt.
[BOOTS THUD] [SHOUTS ORDERS IN GERMAN]
It's mine! Give it back.
Come back. Come back.
[BOMB EXPLODES]
[LOUD GUNFIRE]
[BANGING AND SHOOTING]
[PHONE RINGS]
Kappler.
Right.
Provocation was challenged.
I think you better come with me.
Where?
Via Rasella near the Via Veneto.
The 11th Company has apparently ceased to exist.
[SIRENS WAIL]
[MACHINE GUN FIRE]
[SHOUTING IN BACKGROUND]
[GUNFIRE RESTARTS]
Stop firing.
Stop firing!
Dobrich?
Well, Dobrich?
Colonel, I don't know what happened.
- It was just... I don't know. - How many civilians killed?
None, there was no-one in the street, just us.
All right, all right. Count our dead.
Your men are marching men, so they marched.
Kappler.
Revenge, Kappler.
Revenge for my poor boys.
You see, Kappler.
You see what they've done to my boys.
Here are the beautiful results of your security,
here in this filthy street!
Who were they?
British?
- American spies? - Italians.
Italians.
It's impossible.
I used to love the Italians, Kappler.
Now I hate them!
Dobrich! Where's Dobrich?
Over there.
Dobrich...mine this whole street.
I'm going to blow up all these houses.
- I swear it. - There are people in these houses, sir.
You protect the murderers.
Here, all the houses go up.
The whole neighbourhood.
My poor boys.
- My poor boys. - Try and calm yourself, sir.
It's not a question of your good name but the good name of our country.
We are the ones who have been attacked. We have the moral advantage.
None of that is important to me.
Dobrich, follow my orders.
Up.
Hands up.
Up, up!
Sir. Is that what we're here for?
You are responsible for this, Kappler.
- You will pay for this. - Come away, sir.
This must be reported to the High Command and only you can do that.
Leave Colonel Kappler in control of the situation here.
What are we to do with these people, sir?
They will all be shot.
Take them into custody, hold them for questioning.
- But, the General's order, sir. - He's upset.
I will take full responsibility.
But... Lieutenant!
Yes, sir.
I admire your discretion, Kappler.
The war may end any day now and we don't want our names on the BBC,
do we?
It is essential that I speak to Field Marshal Kesselring.
What?
An inspection at the front.
Well, find him. I must speak to him at all costs.
First get me General Jodl in Berlin.
Immediately.
- Where's Caruso? - German Headquarters.
We must mobilise everybody down to the last man.
We can expect anything now.
In the meantime, we must notify Il Duce.
Take this down...
Today at 2.30pm a German military detachment of the SS, while proceeding up Via Rasella...
Father, did you hear the blast?
- Seems the partisans have attacked. - Yes, I heard it.
The Germans are going mad, swarming around town arresting people.
They say a lot of people were killed.
Go lock the front door.
We didn't want to come here, Father, but..
Paolo felt sick and we had to.
But don't worry, as soon as it's dark, we'll go.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello.
Yes, I am alone.
What is it?
It happened nearby in Via Rasella, they say. I don't know.
If I hear anything, I'll call you.
May He be praised forever.
He is roaring.
He is roaring, roaring.
I called Berlin, Jodl spoke to him personally.
They're trying to get me Kesselring.
Then get me Mackensen.
General Mackensen, idiot.
He wants to blow up the whole block.
House by house. It's as I said.
He wants 50 to 1.
50 Italians for every 1 of our dead. He will reconsider.
This is a political matter.
Rome is not the Eastern Front. He will reconsider.
Besides, this time for a change, WE are not the wild animals.
Animals? We? [ PHONE BEEPS ]
General Mackensen. How...
Oh, you've heard? Yes.
Yes, one moment, Kappler is here.
How many dead? As of now, 28.
28. But there will be more.
General, I have recommended and the Fuhrer himself...
Oh, you know.
Excessive? But the Fuhrer...
Reconsider?
He wants to speak with you.
Yes, General.
Yes, I want to discuss the matter with General Harster.
We agree that if reprisals were called for,
all our male prisoners under sentence of death
and those serving life terms would be considered candidates.
Yes, sir, if necessary we would include all those accused of crimes
punishable by death but not yet tried in a court.
Yes, sir, they would be taken from our prisons here in Rome and executed.
Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.
I hadn't finished speaking.
He hung up on me, sir.
Well, what did he say? How many to one?
He said that you would be informed when the measures to be taken had been decided on.
I don't understand you.
Our men are lying in that stinking street, torn apart by Italian pigs
and you seem to want to forget about the whole affair.
We didn't ask to come to this filthy place.
We came to help, invited by our allies.
You would see them go unpunished?
The Romans must be discouraged from illegal acts but
reprisals never stopped anyone, General.
One of the chief causes of the First World War and made martyrs out of the Czechs at Lidice.
Reprisals, General,
punish nobody except the victims and their...executioners.
So, now you're giving me history lessons.
They will stop the Italians.
They scare easily.
You, you have another plan.
Well, let's say, I have an opinion.
To hell with your opinions.
- You will do as I tell you. - No, sir.
What?
I will do what you are ordered to tell me to do.
Field Marshal Kesselring, General Maelzer has telephoned four times.
- He says it's urgent. - Not now.
The congestion at the front is now at an end.
The Americans are in a position to move north.
I don't think we can hold out much more than a couple of months.
We shall therefore continue to prepare our withdrawal from Rome.
Sir, General Maelzer has rung again.
He says that the partisans attacked a detachment of SS in the centre of the city.
And that there have been heavy losses.
I see. Thank you.
Shall I call him back?
No, call Berlin, High Command.
Well, Colonel, what was your impression of what we saw at the front today?
I like the chance of playing the Americans' hand, if only for a day.
I'd walk all over you with the arms and equipment they've got down there. General Jodl, sir.
Kesselring speaking.
I see.
Yes.
What do you expect, 30 dead?
I lost 400 today alone.
But Rome is the front too.
If he's gonna stick to that decision, he must send me everything himself.
I cannot spare one fighting man, one truck.
Ask him to reconsider.
Yes, that is my answer. I await yours.
[RADIO]: In Rome,
the 25th anniversary of the founding of fascism was gloriously
commemorated by imposing ceremonies at the Ministry of Corporations.
The event organised by the Fascist Republican Party,
has as it's guest speaker,
the great blind poet and hero of the Albanian war.
Carlo Borsani, now Under Secretary.
Borsani recalling the historic events of March 23rd, Fascism's
most sacred day, said that the glorious Fascist experience...
Just isn't possible. Not one word.
..that in their misfortunes they don't despair.
I thought a nice bowl of hot soup.
- Thank you, Giovanni. - But no bread.
Doesn't matter. There are plenty of blankets in the cupboard.
If you don't need me for anything...
A Vatican spokesman has disclosed that the Holy Father is enjoying perfect health.
He suffers only from the anguish brought on by the war,
with it's privation, sorrow and the destruction...
Father, try to understand why we did it.
I can't.
I'm sorry but I can't.
..German assault operation. At Anzio enemy losses were
reported to be much more severe than those of the German Armed Forces.
Reports from Tokyo disclose that Japanese Forces are advancing victoriously in Indian territory...
Nobody's mentioned it yet.
We wait for the BBC.
I wonder what the Allies will make of it.
Also, our king.
This committee is operating under Allied directives.
Our king thinks we ought to sit tight and wait for his return.
But you know the Hague Convention provides for reprisals.
Listen, Andrea,
a state of war exists between Italy and Germany.
We attacked an enemy formation, full battle dress
in broad daylight, on our own territory.
I'd like to know what the Germans are thinking.
If they follow the rules of the Hague Convention,
they'll say that if the people responsible don't come forward,
they'll execute hostages.
Even two or three times the number of German soldiers killed.
They wouldn't risk it. They know Rome would explode.
Let's get one thing straight.
Whatever happens, none of our men comes forward.
- No-one. - But innocent people...
Innocent people were living in worse in Rotterdam, in London, in Leningrad.
And innocent people, millions of Jews are being exterminated in the gas chambers.
Do you seriously believe that Rome alone is immune, because of the Pope?
I won't accept that.
And neither will millions of other Italians.
You say that Germans will take reprisals, shoot hostages.
Let them try.
We'll make the whole of Rome rise against them.
He's right.
I have children,
one day I want them to say,
"My father chose to drown in blood
"rather than live in shit."
I know you've been calling for hours, General Maelzer,
but please try to calm yourself.
I understand how you feel.
Perhaps you've lost the habit of seeing blood.
From now on, we must all get used to the idea that the partisans are an army too.
Now listen carefully,
I've spoken to Berlin several times.
The matter has been thought out more carefully.
Your orders have been dispatched to you by teletype.
They are to be carried out accordingly.
These are not my orders, gentlemen.
Not the Chief of Staff's and not from the High Commander.
What I have here, my friends,
is an order from the Fuhrer himself.
The Fuhrer has reconsidered, Kappler.
Field Marshal Kesselring argued the case that the measures proposed were excessive.
I think we can all be proud that the Field Marshal succeeded
in making an honest and generous effort to exercise humanity.
50 to 1 is hardly the same as 10 to 1.
It is the Fuhrer's expressed wish that the entire operation is completed in 24 hours.
The official order was despatched at 1910.
It is now a few minutes to midnight. That means we have...
19 hours and 10 minutes, sir. May I see that teletype?
32 of our men are dead.
That means 320 Italians.
Kappler, you will make up the list.
This order, sir, calls for those condemned to death and those accused of serious crimes,
we may not hold enough prisoners sufficient to complete the quota.
I'll leave that for you to resolve.
You're the best judge. Caruso will help you.
Caruso, you will furnish Kappler with 80 names.
More, if he needs them. 80?
General, that's impossible.
We have only a few.
10, 12.
We have no way of... All right.
Make it 50, for now.
But, General, we need...
Could we have an official letter for the 50 names?
Coordinate that with Kappler.
Schutz, How many men in the Via Tasso.
Sentenced to death? - Three, sir. - Who?
A communist, a spy and a saboteur.
How many in the Regina Coeli prison?
- None, sir. - Life sentences?
- None, sir. - Any kind of sentence?
We have several with terms ranging from...
Several? Now what do you mean by several?
- 16, sir. - 16.
3 and 16.
We have 3 men sentenced to death and they want 320. It's impossible.
- Priebke? - Sir?
Contact the President of the Military Tribunal. Wake him if you have to.
I want written authorisation for the 3 and the 16.
Yes, sir. I want permission in writing to include
all those awaiting sentence for serious offences.
Get me General Harster in Verona.
Yes.
Domizlaf, get over to Caruso.
I want the names of those arrested in the Via Rasella
and everything known about them.
I'll join you after I talk to General Harster.
- Harster? - Yes, yes, he can help us.
He has jurisdiction over a category I totally overlooked. All right.
Right away, Colonel.
Yes, it would be easier to show their guilt.
[PHONE RINGS]
General Harster? Kappler here, sir. Kappler in Rome.
Yes, I heard.
Look, Kappler, what do you want me to do?
The important thing is to complete the list.
If you can't reach the right figure, take Jews.
Then I have your absolute authorisation, sir.
Thank you. Goodnight, sir. Schutz.
Count the Jews, I make it 57.
Sir.
57, sir.
We have another 8 at Regina Coeli being held for other reasons.
Anti-fascism and political crimes, I think.
- Add them to the list. - Right, sir.
57.
65... 71.
85 plus...
135 leaving us 185 to go. Yes?
I telephoned, sir. We have full authorisation from the President.
Hear that, Schutz. He refuses to accept responsibility for those awaiting trial.
How can I believe that? We need permission from the Chief Justice.
So I telephoned the Chief Justice... And? Permission granted, sir.
- Good. Good. Get it in writing. - Sir.
- Schutz, put these lists together. - Yes, sir.
We shall have to go through the names very carefully.
First I must get over to Domizlaf in Caruso's office.
We shall need every name we can get.
Not going to be easy, gentlemen.
You realise, of course, the necessity for
lightning speed and the utmost secrecy.
Well, to tell you the truth, sir,
the boys would rather get their hands on the people who did it.
It's nothing to do with us but there are security aspects involved
and we must examine them with the utmost attention.
Anything can happen now, with the Americans at the gates of the city, it could be total chaos.
Could be the end.
Could be the end of Rome.
Don't tell me you came to see me at this hour of night
just because Kappler covets another painting?
No, Father, this time I have not come to take but to give.
I came at this hour in the hope of keeping this particular meeting secret.
I don't see how our meetings can be kept secret,
the diplomatic mission the Holy Father has given me
is virtually public knowledge.
In any case, what I'm about to tell you will remain only between you and me.
You heard what happened in Via Rasella?
Of course. I have few details.
32 German soldiers were killed. 320 Italians are to be shot in reprisal.
The order has come down from very high.
In my opinion we are about to commit an error which has to be avoided.
Don't misunderstand me, the fate of 320 Italians matters little to me
compared to the 10 or 15 million we've already lost in this war.
But we must be prudent.
A German reprisal will provoke public outrage and hatred of a most violent kind.
Need I tell you that Rome is a time bomb.
And the partisan movement is only waiting for a moment to unite the resistance.
You said you came here to give.
Yes, Father.
To give you the name of the only person in the world who perhaps can avoid this reprisal.
The Holy Father. The Holy Father.
The complicity of at least some of the people who live in the Via Rasella goes without saying.
The attackers could not have planned and perpetrated this outrage
without their support.
This is all your men managed to find, Caruso.
We searched all the houses on the street.
We found papers and pamphlets...
er, in English. Yes, what else?
How many have you arrested?
Oh, about 10.
Get their names. I want those on my list.
But I wanted them for mine. They are for mine.
You will give us 50 names by 10 o'clock in the morning.
I need authorisation from Buffarini-Guidi. Then get it!
Signor Colonnello, we don't have 50.
Then give us Jews.
[HE MUTTERS INAUDIBLY]
Giglio
Mass...
Minardi...
[TYPEWRITER CLACKS SLOWLY]
Pilo.
Lombardi.
[HE MUTTERS INAUDIBLY]
I spoke with the Duce last night.
To be fair to you, Your Excellency.
I think it would be best if you act on behalf of the government.
The Duce says he wants more details.
So, when you have finished Kappler, make me out a report.
Kappler wants 50 names. 50.
I don't have the authority.
Your Excellency, what can I do?
What can I do?
You must give them to him otherwise who knows what will happen?
Yes, yes. Give them to him. Give them to him.
In that case, could you give me a written order, Your Excellency.
Why do you think I made you Chief of Police, Caruso.
In Tuscany we have a saying,
if you ask for a bicycle, then you must pedal it.
Just don't get me involved.
I'm in it up to my neck already.
All right. We'll give him a list.
Anyway, we are on a list ourselves,
are we not, Your Excellency?
Colonel, I have double checked with Caruso's office and they say the list is still incomplete.
Never mind Caruso for the moment.
We have another problem.
Burial site.
Dobrich is in charge of the execution, but where?
It's a security problem.
We must find a suitable place.
Take days to, er...
dig a burial site, a communal grave.
Think in terms of a...
grotto, a large
natural death chamber.
Colonel, the priest is here.
Priest? What priest? Father Antonelli.
What's he want? He says he must speak to you.
Where is he?
I can only give you a few minutes, Father.
Colonel, I came here because you have been kind to me.
I would like to know what will happen now, innocent...
It will be a fair reprisal, Father, carried out according to the laws of the Hague Convention.
So war has laws too?
Yes, and we will respect them.
The law provides for retaliation against illegal attacks on our Armed Forces.
They said it was an act of open warfare.
They? Do you know them?
How many are there? 2? 3? 5?
- Who are they, Father? - Everybody.
It's the only thing people are talking about all over Rome. But you haven't said anything.
You've given a warning if the persons responsible do not come forward we shall shoot.
They are still waiting to hear.
They might give themselves up.
And what would we do with a handful of assassins? That's not enough, Father.
And you call this a reprisal.
Did you make any effort to find the attackers?
Did you make a public announcement warning the people of Rome
what measures would be taken against them? You did not.
Italy is our ally.
Italy. But what's Italy? There are two sides now.
And you are on the wrong side.
No, Colonel, this is not a reprisal.
Do not pretend to yourself.
You are not big enough to cover crime with fancy words.
This is human slaughter by any name.
But you haven't even followed the most mandatory rule of war.
It's too late, Father.
Machinery is running by itself. Then stop the machinery.
The machinery is what you call God, I cannot stop it any more than I can...
than a bullet can stop being fired by a gun.
I'm a man, alone, weighing nothing in the scale of things.
And you cannot stop it, Father.
That is all.
I'll let the spin of the wheel decide.
God doesn't spin wheels to decide the fate of man.
Your God died 2000 years ago.
This is the list. You have made up the list of the men who will die.
I can only say that for...
every name that I wrote I thought three times.
Three times.
Do something, Colonel. Delay.
- Destroy it. Burn it. - Are you mad?!
You see that, Colonel?
The eternal symbol of renewal of hope and change.
Many people sleep late.
They miss the dawn, but it dawns for every man.
Many people, Father, dream when they're awake.
I pity you, Colonel.
Don't pity me.
Pity the man who has to... carry out this deed.
I'll stop you. Father Pancrazio will speak to the Pope. We will stop you.
The Pope is...
very heavily burdened. Surely you don't want to add to his burden.
His Holiness would prefer to hear about it...after.
Father Antonelli.
I admire you.
Admire your mind.
I admire your courage.
But I detest men with illusions.
Don't press your luck.
[HE SIGHS]
[HE MUTTERS ITALIAN NAMES]
A telephone from Colonel Kappler's office, sir.
How many names has he got? He's finished.
- And he says we are late. - Late?
It's easy to say late.
He's going to say, I had only 50 names.
But these are Italians.
I take more care.
I go over every name three times.
Three. Three times!
Where are they?
They went away just after you left.
They didn't leave a message? No. Do you know where Elena lives?
Paulo? The others?
Few people live at home these days.
God help them.
God help us all.
- Where is the Father General? - He's out.
I can see that but I want to know where. You want?
I meant I MUST know where he is.
It's a question of life and death. Do you understand?
Everything is a question of life and death these days, Father Antonelli.
Father, please listen to me. I must see the Father General at once.
You should know by now, he sees the Holy Father every day.
He's at the Vatican...
Where we cannot possibly disturb him.
[RADIO]: 'Yesterday according to the public records bureau,
80 persons were born.
'77 died.' [KNOCK ON DOOR]
'The Rome stock exchange recorded minor gains yesterday...'
Who is it?
Aldo.
Ciao.
'For the benefit of our listeners, we will now read the schedule of radio programmes for today.
'News broadcast at 5...'
Nothing.
Rome beat Lazio in soccer.
There's a new Swedish film at the Barbarini.
Nothing about Verasella.
The radio, the newspapers, nothing.
Like it didn't happen.
It did happen.
I shall never forget it.
[RADIO]: '4.45, Melodies and Romance,
'5.30, Invitation to the Opera.
'8.20...'
I know, that is why I am here.
Try to prevent a senseless act on the part of the Germans.
Yes, but... Listen to me.
Together with someone of great importance, I have prepared a plan for the Holy Father to consider.
Now be assured, he will give this matter his utmost attention.
First, let he try to postpone the reprisals, at least for the time being.
Secondly, a requiem mass in one of the basilicas of Rome for the dead German soldiers.
The Holy Father might - I say might - be present.
I have no doubt this will arouse sympathy everywhere
and possibly soften the hearts of those Germans
who have made this reckless decision.
Father General.
Meet me at the Salvatorian Mission.
Wait there and pray.
Pray.
You refuse?
You refuse?!
My men are not trained for an operation of this kind.
Most of them are just recruits.
Your men have been murdered
and you behave as though it didn't concern you.
You refuse
to obey an order
of the Fuhrer himself!
That is high treason.
And you will answer for it before a Court Marshal.
Consider yourself under arrest!
Get me General Machensen's Headquarters.
The major refuses to carry out his orders.
My list is ready, sir. With Caruso's 50, that should complete the list.
We also have a...
[PHONE RINGS] Yes. Yes, put him through.
Colonel Hauser.
Colonel, you will proceed with the utmost urgency to place a detachment of your men at my disposal.
They will proceed with the execution of 320 hostages.
What? You will what?!
Here are the names, sir. Quite an ordeal.
This is a report on the execution site and here is...
a copy of the plan of the place of execution which we considered most suitable.
Colonel Hauser has refused to place his men at my disposal.
He says it is a job for the SS and not the army.
Well, I would say he's correct, sir.
Kappler, you don't understand.
Doprich has refused.
Hauser has refused.
In other words, he washes his hands of the whole affair.
We have only eight hours left. What good is your list? Who is going to shoot them?
I shouldn't worry, sir. I'm sure you'll find somebody to do it.
Yes, you.
You will do it.
That is an official order, sir.
I will of course put my men at your disposal for this...operation.
No, Kappler.
As Commander of the security forces in Rome,
it is your duty to set your men an example.
You and all your officers must participate at least once in this operation.
That is my official order.
And of course, you shall have it in writing.
You're quite right, sir.
I shouldn't ask my men to do something I'm not prepared to do myself.
I consider it a symbolic necessity.
You're a fine officer, Kappler.
I will mention you in my report to the Fuhrer.
This could be very important for you.
Five times I volunteered for the Eastern Front. Five times.
Five times I was refused.
They told me I'd have an important part to play...
..important part to play in Rome.
Gentlemen, you all know why we're here, so I won't waste what little time we have left.
Captain Priebke to whom I've already spoken is briefing the men.
I would like to say two preliminary things, however.
First, there is no question of moral guilt on our part.
We are soldiers obeying precise orders.
Secondly, all 74 of us, officers and men, all of German nationality will take part in this operation.
Anyone refusing to do so will face a military tribunal.
I don't need to tell you what that means.
Like many of you here,
I've never killed a man.
I will fire the first bullet.
I'm certain I speak for all of us here, Colonel, when I say we will all do our duty.
Thank you gentlemen.
This is the operation site.
A series of abandoned man-made caves about three and a half kilometres southwest of where we are now.
And at the Via Ardeatina which is there.
The tunnels are made of limestone.
When sealed, they will make a natural death chamber
and the limestone will accelerate the decomposition of the remains.
The tunnels are already being mined and will be blown shut on completion of the operation.
The prisoners will be led in here.
The executions will take place by pistol fire, the Mauser.
The prisoners will be shot in batches of five by platoons of five.
It therefore follows that each of us here will kill four or five men.
I will now demonstrate the procedure to be followed.
The prisoner will kneel, head pushed slightly forward.
The muzzle of the gun will be placed in the nape of the neck.
Close, but contact is unnecessary.
The bullet will pass from low to high through the centre of the brain causing instant and painless death.
Thank you. I calculate three hours to round up the prisoners.
One hour for transportation to the caves, one minute for each execution.
We should be finished by sundown, a couple of hours ahead of time, if all goes...if all goes as planned.
I have already ordered 40 trucks from the motor pool, but Colonel, they're making difficulties.
What difficulties? 18 of the trucks are normally used to transport meat supplies.
And the officer in charge objects that if men are carried in them,
they'll need to be sterilised afterwards.
Get the trucks! I will answer to the objections.
Gentlemen, we must not attract attention at all costs.
Our best safety is speed.
The hospital just telephoned, Colonel. Another man has died.
Very well. I shall add ten more names to the list making it 330 in all.
Modify your plans accordingly.
That'll be all.
Priebke, the other evening you were telling me about ten Jews living in Arian households.
I ordered you to arrest them. Are they in custody?
At Regina Coeli prison, sir.
Add them to the list.
Send over a few cases of Cognac to the caves.
Our men will not find it easy.
Yes, sir.
Please sit down.
I am sorry you've had to wait so long.
Father, please, tell me what has been done.
All that was humanly possible, my son.
Then it wasn't stopped?
The Holy Father has given serious consideration
to the possibility of his intervention, but the Germans have threatened
to re-examine their attitude towards the present negotiations for the salvation of Rome.
Salvation of Rome? What salvation, Father? Whose salvation?
Father Antonelli, even at a moment like this, we must never forget
that the Germans are our last hope against atheist Communism.
Do you mean to tell me the Pope refused to intervene?
That he has forgotten he is the Parish Priest of Rome?
How dare you pass judgement?
The Holy Father is a prisoner of history.
He must think and act in terms that are universal.
So the church renounces her mission?
The Holy Father's chosen to do nothing. We have all chosen to do nothing!
Please keep calm, Father Antonelli.
These hours have not passed in vain.
We have drawn up a statement that will appear on the front page of the Romano tomorrow. Tomorrow?
Let me read it to you, my son and then you can judge for yourself.
"In these anxious hours, we turn our thoughts particularly
"to the city of Rome, so often tortured by anguish and tribulation.
"Our appeal is made directly to the conscience of the population who have so admirably demonstrated
"their spirit of sacrifice and profound sense of dignity.
"Do not with violent urges, shatter this attitude which is so worthy of the virtues of our people.
"Every ill-considered act would have no other result
"than to end by injuring many innocent people, already tried by anguish.
"Maintain public order..."
Colonel Kappler.
Oh, thank you.
I must see him.
They didn't want to let me in. You're in. What do you want? I've just come from the Vatican.
The Holy Father is taking the necessary steps. You must postpone.
We've already been informed of the necessary steps the Holy Father is prepared to take.
This will appear in the Vatican newspaper tomorrow.
"Maintain public order.
"See that is it not disturbed by any attitude whatsoever that gives rise to painful conflicts.
"And those who know how to influence the minds of the citizenry, above all, the priests,
"have the high mission of persuasion, pacification and giving comfort."
So you see, Father, there was no point in your coming here.
Colonel, you have a soul.
Give it whatever name you like, but one day, regardless of what
happens now, you will be called to account before the tribunal of God.
Do something. There is still time.
There is no time, Father.
It was always too late. I realise that now.
Man acts the way he does, so does the Pope.
Any man who believes that he can control his own destiny is dreaming an ancient dream.
An ancient dream of fools.
Fools?
You call us fools. Dreamers.
You call a massacre a reprisal.
You call a living, feeling boy a partisan. A sick old man, hostage.
You call a woman full of love, a Communist.
Hangmen wear masks, Colonel, and you mask yourself with empty words.
You blind yourself in order to destroy.
But we are a man, humanity.
God's creation on Earth, not the cogs of a machine.
Men can choose.
Choose, Colonel!
It's time to go, sir.
I'm going to do my duty.
I've told you what is expected of you.
Go and do yours.
There's no time, Father.
There's nothing more you can do. There is more I can do.
No, Father.
Heil Hitler.
I need this bicycle.
This is the complete list.
Take it to Regina Coeli Prison at once and hand it personally...
Sir, they just telephoned from Regina Coeli.
They've already taken them away.
That's impossible.
I have the list here.
This is the only copy.
Kappler's men arrived and said if they didn't get the men, they'd take the guards away instead.
They took 55 prisoners.
That's too many.
It's too many.
Too many, too many, too many.
They took five too many.
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS ECHO]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
Guiseppe, Andrea, Mario....
[GUARD READS OUT ITALIAN NAMES]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS, MAN PRAYS]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
[GUARD READS OUT ITALIAN NAMES]
Get away! Let me pass.
[DISTANT SHOUTING]
[RAPID GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[INAUDIBLE]
[TRUCK ENGINE ROARS] I can't do it.
[GUNSHOTS ECHO]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[REPEATED GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS ECHO]
[NARRATOR]:
Ten weeks later the Allies liberated Rome.
Police chief Pietro Caruso was tried by an Italian court, sentenced to death and executed.
General Kurt Maelzer was tried and sentenced to death in 1946.
The sentence was not carried out.
He died in prison.
Field Marshal Albert Kesselring
was tried by a British Military Tribunal in 1947.
He was sentenced to death.
The sentence was not carried out.
He was released in 1952.
Colonel Herbert Kappler was tried in Rome in 1948 and found guilty.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
He is serving his sentence in the Italian Penitentiary at Gaeta.