MUSSOLINI: THE UNTOLD STORY REVIEWED
“Mussolini: The Untold Story” was a seven hour mini-series that aired on NBC in 1985. You never knew how badly you needed George C. Scott and Robert Downey, Jr. playing Italian in your life. Hell, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio shows up because this was a 1980s production that needed a semi-ethnic female supporting role. Raul Julia chews on the scenery that fell out of Scott’s mouth. But, in terms of the film? It’s a greatest hits compilation.
You get to see Il Duce’s rise to power and his eventual fall. I loved the attention paid to the failed Ethiopia campaign. But, so much of the film is about the underlings that ultimately betrayed Mussolini. I’m not saying the guy’s great, but no one deserved the Republic of Salo. The man did get the trains to run on time and Scott understands the power of such actions. Pick it up as an oddity during the Holidays.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Nothing
A/V STATS
- 1.33:1 standard definition transfer
- Dolby 2.0
Erix Antoine
I saw this when it aired. I’ve always wanted to see it again.
Looking at this cover makes me want to order pizza though.