Roberto Rossellini: The War Trilogy (Blu-ray)

Roberto Rossellini: The War Trilogy (Blu-ray)Trilogy of war dramas directed by Roberto Rossellini. 'Rome, Open City' (1945) takes place during the last days of the Nazi occupation of Italy during World War II. Resistance leader Giorgio Manfredi (Marcello Pagliero) flees the Gestapo and seeks a place to hide with the help of his friend Francesco (Francesco Grandjacquet), his pregnant fiance Pina (Anna Magnani) and the priest who is due to marry them, Don Pietro Pellegrini (Aldo Fabrizi).

Trilogy of war dramas directed by Roberto Rossellini. 'Rome, Open City' (1945) takes place during the last days of the Nazi occupation of Italy during World War II. Resistance leader Giorgio Manfredi (Marcello Pagliero) flees the Gestapo and seeks a place to hide with the help of his friend Francesco (Francesco Grandjacquet), his pregnant fiancée Pina (Anna Magnani) and the priest who is due to marry them, Don Pietro Pellegrini (Aldo Fabrizi).

Giorgio's ex-girlfriend Marina (Maria Michi) betrays him and his fellow fighters to the Gestapo in order to get her hands on some luxury items and it's not long before the Nazis and the local police find him and Don Pietro. They are captured and tortured but will they crack under the pain or be executed for their silence? 'Paisà' (1946) is Rossellini's account of the liberation of Italy during World War II, told in six chapters. In each chapter a different view of the liberation is given as it spreads across the country.

Different characters are also followed in each segment including American chaplains, soldiers, monks and prostitutes. Finally, 'Germany Year Zero' (1948) is Roberto Rossellini's moving account of life in post-war Germany telling the story of a 13-year old black marketeer who poisons his ailing father out of pity and necessity.

Region B Blu-ray: Australian compatible

Special Features

• Newly remastered presentations
• L'amore (Roberto Rossellini, 1948, 80 mins): Rossellini's controversial two-part anthology film showcasing the maniford talents of Anna Magnani. The first part, A Human Voice, is written by Jean Cocteau, and the second, The Miracle, is written by Federico Fellini
• Children of the Open City (Laura Muscardin, 2005, 53 mins): documentary featuring Vito Annicchiarico visiting key locations from Rome, Open City and sharing memories of the shoot
• Into the Future (Tag Gallagher, 2009, 32 mins): visual essay on the War Trilogy by film scholar Tag Gallagher
• Fully illustrated booklet featuring writings by Tag Gallagher, Geoffrey Nowell-Smith and Jonathan Rosenbaum, and full film credits