This may not rank as one of his best films and he himself was none too keen on the finished product but any film of Mario Soldati deserves attention. It concerns an Italian war criminal Riccardo Forte and his young son attempting to escape to France. Whilst staying at a pensione he is recognised by a woman who was once his maid. Father and son are obliged to trek across the mountains to the border with a motley trio of illegal migrants but they too discover his true identity. Following a slow start this builds into a gripping and suspenseful tale as Forte tries every means at his disposal to save his skin even at the expense of his son who never betrays him. Forte is played by excellent character actor Folco Lulli, best known perhaps as Luigi, one of the truck drivers in 'Wages of Fear'. Nice performances also from Rosa Mirafiore as the maid and Enrico Olivieri as the son. The most eye-catching performance is that of Pietro Germi as one of the migrants. Interesting that as a director he was to continue the same theme of migrant workers attempting to cross the border in search of a better life in his monumental 'Path of Hope'. I would not hesitate to recommend this film although the post-syncing can be a little annoying as the characters sound as if they are talking in a bathroom. Taut direction by Soldati, great camerawork by Domenico Scala and a splendid score by Nino Rota. A film ripe for rediscovery.
