From from first frame to last, this film is complete and utter Fascist propaganda. How anyone could say otherwise is beyond me. The reviewer above calls it a character study. Well, only in so far as the central character typifies the 'virtuous' and 'heroic' Italian male as espoused by the Mussolini's Blackshirts. The plot is absurdly contrived and bloated to the point of parody and it would be funny if it were not the reflection of a murderous, tyrannical regime who were at the time, at war with Ethiopia.
The only reason why it is remembered today is because it shared first prize (with Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia) at the 1938 Venice Film Festival. The film that everyone thought should have won that year was Jean Renoir's masterpiece, La Grande Illusion.
Luciano Serra, Pilota won because the film was made under the supervision of Mussolini's son.
Avoid.
The only reason why it is remembered today is because it shared first prize (with Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia) at the 1938 Venice Film Festival. The film that everyone thought should have won that year was Jean Renoir's masterpiece, La Grande Illusion.
Luciano Serra, Pilota won because the film was made under the supervision of Mussolini's son.
Avoid.