In July 1943 The Fascist Grand Council voted by 19-8 to remove Mussolini from power. Thirteen of the nineteen managed to evade arrest and the remaining six were tried for treason the following January, most notable among whom was Mussolini's son-in law Count Ciano.
Based upon diaries, private memoirs and various historical documents this film is a grim but gripping account of the trial with a particular focus on the arrest and imprisonment of Ciano and the ultimately futile efforts of his wife Edda to effect his release.
Although made twenty years after the event there is a marvellous sense of 'period' here and the wonderfully stark cinematography of Leonida Barboni is made even more so in the trial scenes with the preponderance of dark suits and of course black-shirts! The final execution scene is devastating.
Strong performances throughout too numerous to mention. Ciano is played by a 'dubbed' Frank Wolff who bears more than a passing resemblance to the character. Many at the time were critical of his being portrayed as too 'human'! Mussolini's second wife is played to great effect by Vivi Gioi although she too is 'dubbed'. Being produced by Dino di Laurentis it is no surprise to find his wife Silvana Mangano in the pivotal role of Mussolini's daughter Edda. Suffice to say she rises to the occasion and her electrifying performance won the first of her three Donatello awards and her second Nastro d'Argento.
This absorbing film was made despite the efforts of the Mussolinii family to prevent it.
Director Carlo Lizzani was to return to this subject ten years later with 'The Last Act of Mussolini' featuring Rod Steiger in the title role.
