Introduction

The Great War (Italian: La grande guerra) is a 1959 Italian comedy-drama war film directed by Mario Monicelli.

It tells the story of an odd couple of army buddies in World War I; the movie, while played on a comedic register, does not hide from the viewer the horrors and grimness of trench warfare.

Starring Alberto Sordi and Vittorio Gassman and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, the film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Its crew also included Danilo Donati (costumes) and Mario Garbuglia (set designer).

It was an Academy Award nominee as Best Foreign Film. In 1999 the critics of Ciak magazine chose it as one of the 100 most important films in history, and was selected to enter the list of the “100 Italian films to be saved”. It won huge success outside Italy, especially in France.

Outline

Oreste Jacovacci from Rome and Giovanni Busacca from Milan meet each other during the call to arms at the start of World War I.

Although completely different in character, they are united in their lack of idealism and their desire to avoid any danger and get out of the war unscathed. They and a varied group of civilians and fellow soldiers (including the prostitute Costantina, played by Silvana Mangano) go through many ups and downs during their training, battles and rare moments of leave.

They are considered “inefficient” due to their limited military valour and so are made message-runners to the staff, a very dangerous job. Having succeeded in their mission, a sudden change in a which-side-hold-which-trench situation leaves them in enemy territory, where they are captured by the Austrians wearing Austrian uniforms they had found in a barn.

They are accused of espionage and condemned to be shot by firing squad. Overcome with fear, they let slip that they are in possession of information crucial to the success of the battle and that they have decided to change sides to save their lives.

The Austrian officials’ arrogance and a contemptuous joke against the Italians (“…courage?! Liver they say… That those in the know only eat liver with onions, and we’ll soon eat that! [referring to the occupation of Venice where the dish is traditional]”) give the pair new strength and dignity sufficient to keep the information secret right up until their execution.

First Giovanni Busacca refused to give any information and insult the Austrian officer then, when Busacca was sent to face the firing squad, also Jacovacci refused pretending Busacca was the only one to have the information.

The battle then ends in an Italian victory, without anyone knowing of the pair’s sacrifice.

Production & Filming Details

• Director: Mario Monicelli.
• Producer: Dino De Laurentiis.
• Writers: Agenore Incrocci, Mario Monicelli, Furio Scarpelli, and Luciano Vincenzoni.
• Music: Nino Rota.
• Cinematography: Guiseppe Rotunno, Leonida Barboni, Roberto Gerardi, and Guiseppe Serrandi.
• Editor: Adriana Novelli.
• Release Date: September 1959 (Venice International Film Festival).
• Running Time: 135 minutes.
• Country: Italy and France.
• Language: Italian.

YouTube Link