I checked the 'contains spoiler'-box, for I am not commenting on this movie in order to promote it, but as a review for people that have seen it.
I rated it with 10 points, for there's not a single scene, clue or camera handling that could want me to rate it lower. People reviewing it and commenting on it's 'speed' or 'dryness' have obviously not taken into consideration that this movie is (by now) 33 years old - an era wherein the fast-flashing-quickly-changing scenes run for victory. Phew! Everything coincided in this film. The matter was displayed in a pure and open way and it gives the viewer an up-close look at the then situation (from both sides). It was heart-breaking realistic. No heroism. Not Hollywood. A plain great movie about the occupation of Rome.
Another thing that struck me, was the appearance of the personage of Kappler. Although played by two completely different people, Kappler could be easily recognized. Played by Christopher Plummer in The Scarlet and the Black, the figure of Kappler leaves a vivid memory in the mind, after watching both movies. Where The Scarlet and the Black focused on position of the Vatican (and it's priests), this movie turns that around. Historically accurate, incomprehensible when it comes to army hierarchies, leaving the viewer behind with his/her thoughts, thoughts about an episode of the second world war - when it's not being read.
Burton performs sublime.
I rated it with 10 points, for there's not a single scene, clue or camera handling that could want me to rate it lower. People reviewing it and commenting on it's 'speed' or 'dryness' have obviously not taken into consideration that this movie is (by now) 33 years old - an era wherein the fast-flashing-quickly-changing scenes run for victory. Phew! Everything coincided in this film. The matter was displayed in a pure and open way and it gives the viewer an up-close look at the then situation (from both sides). It was heart-breaking realistic. No heroism. Not Hollywood. A plain great movie about the occupation of Rome.
Another thing that struck me, was the appearance of the personage of Kappler. Although played by two completely different people, Kappler could be easily recognized. Played by Christopher Plummer in The Scarlet and the Black, the figure of Kappler leaves a vivid memory in the mind, after watching both movies. Where The Scarlet and the Black focused on position of the Vatican (and it's priests), this movie turns that around. Historically accurate, incomprehensible when it comes to army hierarchies, leaving the viewer behind with his/her thoughts, thoughts about an episode of the second world war - when it's not being read.
Burton performs sublime.