Rome, Open City (1945)

Aldo Fabrizi: Don Pietro Pellegrini

Photos 

Quotes 

• Don Pietro : It's not hard to die well. The hard thing is to live well.

• Major Bergman : Then I'll tell you who he is. He's subversive, he's fought with the Reds in Spain. His life is dedicated to fighting society, religion. He is an atheist... your enemy...

  Don Pietro : I am a Catholic priest. I believe that those who fight for justice and truth walk in the path of God and the paths of God are infinite

• Pina : Doesn't Christ see us?

  Don Pietro : So many people ask me that: "Doesn't Christ see us?" But are we sure we haven't deserved this scourge? Are we sure we've always lived according to the Lord's laws? People never think of changing their ways, but when the piper must be paid, they despair and ask, "Doesn't the Lord see us? Doesn't he take pity on us?" Yes, he does, but we have so much to be forgiven for, and for that we must pray and forgive many things.

  Pina : You're right, but how do we forgive? I see those guys and I want to smash their faces in.

• Major Bergman : You clearly aim to harm the Reich and its armed forces.

  Don Pietro : That wasn't exactly my aim.

  Major Bergman : Then what would you call a man who not only provides refuge and forged documents to Italians plotting attacks on our soldiers but even shelters German deserters?

  Don Pietro : A man who humbly seeks to practice charity.

  Major Bergman : He's a traitor who must be punished, subject to the military law of the Reich.

  Don Pietro : God will judge.