Perfect cast and a good story

Boring

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

"The Secret of Santa Vittoria" is a fun and energetic picture that works better as a comedy than as a thriller or commentary about the war. The film is set in 1943 Italy, after the downfall of fascism. The Germans have begun to take over Italy, including the village of Santa Vittoria. However, unbeknownst to the Germans, the villagers have hidden their most valuable asset (one million bottles of wine) under the guidance of mayor Bombolini (played by Anthony Quinn), who has been elected by accident. Bombolini is seen as a hopeless drunk and an incompetent fool through his wife's eyes. Quinn portrays Bombolini with gusto and as a cartoonish and larger-than-life character. He is clearly having fun with the performance. However, Bombolini is not the complete fool as some of the townsfolk regard him to be. Some of his foolishness is his façade, defensive mechanism, and performance to manipulate and fool others, such as the Germans. Strategically, Bombolini uses his wits, exaggerated mannerisms, and diplomacy to keep the wine a secret. The Germans though, are resourceful and eventually see through his façade, turning the picture into a cat and mouse game. This picture reminds me of "What Did You Do in The War Daddy?" in that it depicts the outrageous behaviors, ways of life, and quirks of certain Italian townspeople during WW2. Both films are deliberately childish, short of seriousness, and make good use of sight gags and physical comedy. However, whereas "daddy" consists of slapstick throughout most of its running time, this film is more grounded in reality and has more to say about the war. For example, the wine represents the townspeople's hard work and is all that they have. It is a symbol for the townspeople's strength and essence. Thus by deceiving the Germans and hiding the wine, the Germans would not be able to conquer Santa Vittoria, even if they remain in the town for a period of time. The townspeople don't engage in physical or combative resistance (even though there are only a handful Germans taking over the town), but are rather engaged in an alternative form of resistance, an ideological resistance. Keeping the location of the wine a secret (no matter what, even if a martyr were forced to suffer or sacrifice himself or herself) would mean victory. In the end, I do feel a certain satisfaction in seeing the German captain (played by Hardy Kruger) being driven to desperation and defeat as he tries to find out the location of the wine. Although the Germans in the film are intrusive and commit minor atrocities, they are not nearly as oppressive, horrible, cruel, methodical, and intelligent as they should have been. I enjoy watching the elaborate and meticulous operation of wine-hiding that unfolds (not unlike a Gold Ruberg event), which requires the unity and patriotism of all the townspeople. The film also makes good uses of its Italian locations, sets, and extras. However, I wish more time were spent on getting to know more of the townspeople. Humor is infused occasionally and works best when the everyday life and activities of the townspeople are depicted, including Anthony Quinn's methodical and exaggerated antics in his foolish and bumbling Bombolini character (albeit possessing a commanding and likable presence), Anna Magnani's overaggressive and long-suffering wife character named Rosa, and their outlandish verbal and physical spars with each other. Some other supporting players also keep the humor alive. There are three pairs of romance depicted in the film. One is the almost nonexistent relationship between Bombolini and Rosa, the other is between their daughter (played by Patrizia Valturri) and an educated lad (played by Giancarlo Giannini), and the last is between the local beauty and widow (played by Virna Lisi) and the local hot-to-trot war deserter (played by Sergio Franchi). The film should have focused more on the relationship between Quinn and Magnani. Their turbulent relationship is quite intriguing. I want to know more about their past. Even their marriage could have evolved more (not merely a one-note long-suffering relationship). The other two pairs of characters could have been cut out from the film without any loss, as their romances are quite insipid, unnecessary, and sappy. The characters are bores and are hardly sympathetic. Even more inappropriate are the inclusion of certain sex innuendos. Another problem is that the film does run on a bit too long and could have been trimmed by at least half an hour. But even so, the film held my interest for most of its running time.

The film is set in Italy and begins just after the Italians surrender to the Allies during WWII. At first, the town is ecstatic--they are free and the fascists leaders quickly surrender the town to a man they designate the new mayor, Bombolini (Anthony Quinn). Bombolini seems ill-prepared, however, when the town learns that the Germans are coming--and will be occupying the town. However, a bright young man (Giancarlo Giannini) comes up with a great idea--to put all the town's wine in the Roman tunnels and then collapse the tunnels. That way, the Germans won't be able to steal the town's best resource. First, they need to move 1,000,000 bottles very quickly. Second, Bombolini needs to play nice to the German commander (Hardy Kruger) while also keeping the secret. Third, Bombolini needs to keep his nasty harpy of a wife (Anna Magnani) in line--and that might just be the most difficult task of all! So is the film any good? Of course. With Anthony Quinn in the lead, the film is naturally quite good--as he seems a natural. He is also ably assisted by a nice supporting cast and nice location shooting. However, the film is a bit odd. The first half was rather comical and light in mood. The final portion, with the Nazis, was very dark--and it drug a bit in tempo compared to the first part. Not a perfect film but a very good one.

I never tire of seeing this film with its repeated line, "There is no wine" from Bombolini. Anthony Quinn shows his comedy character acting skills as he acts in scenes with wife, daughter and the town council. He acts the hero when is is "interrogated" by the tough guys. The only time I find fault is when he throws himself to the ground and acts the imbecile - not part of Bombolini as a character I think.It must be said, however, that Hardy Kruger as the German commanding officer of the troops who come to occupy the town and steal its wine, is the perfect choice. Eventually he leaves town after the population have foiled his efforts to take the precious wine stocks. He turns to them in defeat, "What kind of people are you?" During the process of transporting the wine via a chain of citizens to the cave the camera shows many local faces that are utterly convincing. They are lived in, hard worn, determined faces of people who will not be beaten.For anyone seeking to visit Santa Vittoria when in Italy - don't expect to see street scenes that you remember. They used another nearby town, whose name escapes me, for the location. However, I understand the extras were all local people.

In short there is no other move quite like it. One of those that you might not think to rent, but if you find yourself at the beginning of it, you'll not leave until you see the ending. Quinn is excellent.The nutshell is that The Germans are coming, and the town has lost all of its older boys and men to the Italian army. They're a wine-producing town, and elect the town-fool to be the "mock mayor". The problem is that they need to hide the wine from the Germans, being their only real treasure. From that premise forward, the movie becomes dark and deeply compelling. I believe that these are some of the best performances of the star-studded actors...I recommend it, as one of life's "must see's".(PS: I'm a tough critic, so an "8" for me is just about tops)