# Rome, Open City

> 1945 film by Roberto Rossellini

**Wikidata**: [Q721146](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q721146)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome,_Open_City)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rome-open-city

## Summary
*Rome, Open City* is a landmark 1945 film directed by Roberto Rossellini, considered a foundational work of Italian neorealism. Set during World War II, it dramatizes the Nazi occupation of Rome and the Italian resistance, blending fiction with documentary-style realism. The film premiered in Italy on September 27, 1945, and gained international acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of wartime suffering.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: September 27, 1945 (Italy); 1945 (general release).
- **Director**: Roberto Rossellini (Italian, 1906–1977).
- **Genres**: Drama film, art film.
- **Setting**: Rome during the Nazi occupation (1943–1944).
- **Concept**: Depicts Rome as an "open city," a status declared by the Italian government to avoid Allied bombing.
- **Historical Context**: Produced shortly after Rome’s liberation, using real locations and non-professional actors.
- **Awards**: Included in the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films.
- **Preservation**: Added to the Vatican’s list of recommended films in 1995.
- **Aliases**: *Roma città aperta*, *Roma citta aperta*, *Open City*.
- **Production Country**: Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946).
- **Sitelink Count**: 43 (Wikidata).

## FAQs
**Q: Who directed *Rome, Open City*?**  
A: Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini, a key figure in the neorealist movement.  

**Q: What historical event does the film depict?**  
A: The Nazi occupation of Rome (1943–1944) and the Italian resistance, including the arrest of civilians and clergy.  

**Q: Why is the film’s title significant?**  
A: It references Rome’s status as an "open city," a designation meant to protect it from military attacks during wartime.  

**Q: What awards or recognitions has the film received?**  
A: It was named one of the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Films and later included in the Vatican’s film list.  

**Q: How was the film produced?**  
A: Shot on location in war-torn Rome with limited resources, incorporating real events and non-professional actors.  

## Why It Matters
*Rome, Open City* revolutionized cinema by rejecting studio-bound artificiality in favor of raw, location-based storytelling. It humanized the trauma of war through intimate character studies, influencing global filmmaking and cementing neorealism as a major cinematic movement. Its depiction of resistance and collaboration remains a powerful historical document, offering unvarnished insight into civilian life under fascism. The film’s success also revitalized Italy’s postwar film industry, proving that low-budget, socially conscious works could resonate internationally.

## Notable For
- **Neorealist Pioneer**: A defining film of the Italian neorealist genre, emphasizing social reality over dramatization.  
- **Historical Urgency**: Filmed mere months after Rome’s liberation, using authentic wartime settings.  
- **Critical Acclaim**: Recognized by the National Board of Review and the Vatican for its artistic and moral significance.  
- **Cultural Timing**: Released during Italy’s transition from monarchy to republic, reflecting national identity crises.  
- **Innovative Style**: Blended scripted drama with documentary techniques, inspiring filmmakers like Martin Scorsese.  

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Premiere**: September 27, 1945, in Rome, while Italy was still technically the Kingdom of Italy (abolished in 1946).  
- **Context**: Filmed in the immediate aftermath of Nazi occupation, with limited budgets and equipment.  
- **Locations**: Shot on-site in Rome, including scenes at the Porta Pia and the Gestapo headquarters at Via Tasso.  

### Genre and Style
- **Classification**: A drama and art film, rejecting traditional Hollywood narratives for gritty realism.  
- **Innovations**: Used non-professional actors (e.g., Anna Magnani) and real resistance fighters in minor roles.  
- **Themes**: Explored moral courage, betrayal, and survival, focusing on ordinary Italians and clergy.  

### Historical Context
- **Open City Status**: Rome was declared an "open city" in 1943 to prevent Allied bombing, though the film highlights the brutality that persisted under occupation.  
- **Resistance Portrayal**: Depicted the clandestine efforts of partisan groups and the Catholic Church to aid Allied forces.  

### Awards and Recognition
- **National Board of Review**: Selected as one of 1945’s Top Ten Films, boosting its international reputation.  
- **Vatican Inclusion**: Added to the Vatican’s list of recommended films in 1995, recognizing its spiritual and ethical themes.  

### Legacy
- **Cinematic Influence**: Inspired directors like Federico Fellini and Francis Ford Coppola with its location shooting and naturalistic acting.  
- **Preservation**: Restored in 2015 by the Criterion Collection, ensuring its accessibility to modern audiences.  
- **Cultural Impact**: Ranked #1 on *Sight & Sound*’s 1962 poll of greatest films, solidifying its status as a classic.  

### Related Entities
- **Roberto Rossellini**: The film launched his international career, though his later work faced censorship for controversial themes.  
- **Rome**: The city’s portrayal as both victim and resistor shaped its postwar identity and cinematic symbolism.  
- **Kingdom of Italy**: The film’s release coincided with the monarchy’s collapse, reflecting Italy’s political and social upheaval.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. The Movie Database
4. Open City. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
6. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
7. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/4605)
8. Online-Filmdatenbank
9. [Source](http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/cine/industria-cine/calificacion/calificacion-por-meses.html)
10. Bechdel Test Movie List
11. mymovies.it
12. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/76215)
13. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83591)
14. Trakt.tv
15. FilmVandaag.nl