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How Italy’s historic national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi led a military campaign known as Expedition of the Thousand in 1860 and conquered Sicily and Naples.
Giuseppe Garibaldi is known as the “Hero of Two Worlds” because he had successful Military campaigns around the Americas and Europe. He is also famous and adored in Italy for helping unify Italy during the tumultuous revolution of the Italian states and faced off against the Piedmontese army. The film focuses on the military campaign known as ‘Expedition of the Thousand’ in 1860. He had brilliant success and was a very cunning General and along the way, he conquered Sicily and Naples. “Viva L’Italia” features the advancement of weapons and communications having major impacts on warfare. It is also a patriotic picture calling for the complete unification of Italy.
“Viva L’Italia” was originally titled “Garibaldi” for English audiences and it is directed by the cinematic legend Roberto Rossellini. Rossellini helped create neo-realism in films which had a huge impact on French New Wave cinema, and contemporary directors like Martin Scorsese. After reading more about his filmography I want to watch more of his Post-WWII movies. The other films of his seem to have more tactile grit and look less romantic than this sweeping historical picture. Rossellini said he was most proud of this film.
The camerawork recalled battle scenes like David Lean would film but it’s a bit less poetic than his films. Rossellini is constantly keeping the action wide across the screen in large panoramic shots, not getting up close or handheld framing. The picture looks nice and clean after the 2K Blu-ray restoration. The blues of the monarchy’s soldiers uniforms and the resisting rebellious red uniforms of Gabraldi’s forces make for a great display. In an interesting scene, the two opposing forces sing their national anthems’ to each other before a charge filled with hand to hand combat and galloping cavalry. It was unique to see a piece of history most Americans don’t learn about. I feel like US history textbooks focus on Ancient Rome and then WWII Italy. I can see why Rossellini was such a huge influence on directors like Scorsese with his realism portrayed with a bit of splendid pizazz. I recommend the film for history and film lovers, and if you enjoy gorgeous Italian countrysides lined with ruins as backdrops for battles.
Available now on a Special Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Video
