BENGASI [Main Title]

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  • Title: BENGASI [Main Title]
  • Film Number: COI 26
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: An imcomplete copy of the feature film based on the occupation of Benghazi by the British.
  • Description: The wider story is suggested in general sequences and scenes of the town's ruling Italian group in its internal discussions, confrontations with the British etc. The British Army is portrayed as drunken troops under cynical officers: the era of 'civilisation' promised on occupation starts with an orgy of looting and rape and ends with the mining of key buildings. There are several interlocking sub-plots - Enrico (an officer) tries to send his wife and son away, but the escape fails and the son dies; Enrico loses an arm, plays a leading resistance role, and is eventually reunited with his wife. Her friend Juliana is in love with Philippo who is posing convincingly as a collaborator (earning even J's suspicion) to spy on the British, but is eventually caught. Two girls shelter a wounded soldier, and one falls in love. As Axis advances force British withdrawal, soldiers in hiding resume uniforms and weapons; civilians joyfully greet their Italian (and German) liberators.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: COI 26
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions:
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1942
  • Production Country: Italy
  • Production Details: Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche (Production sponsor) Film Bassoli (Production company) Genina, Augusto (Production individual) Bassoli, Renato (Production individual) Bassoli, Carlo (Production individual) Mossa, A Simon (Production individual) Zeglio, Primo (Production individual) Berlioz, Odon (Production individual) Novelli, Adriana (Production individual) Tonti, Aldo (Production individual) Serra, Guido (Production individual) Del Grande, O (Production individual) D'Angelo, Salvo (Production individual) Zampetti, Leopoldo (Production individual) Parravacini, Camillo (Production individual) Altieri, Nino (Production individual) Veretti, Antonio (Production individual) Curci (Production individual) Genina, Augusto (Production individual) Genina, Augusto (Production individual) Betti, U (Production individual) Stefani, A de (Production individual) Bargelesi, A (Production individual) Masoero, F (Production individual) Piscopo, G (Production individual) Scorza, C (Dott) (Production individual) Narducci, G (Production individual) Lapini, S (Production individual) Bukeila, A (Production individual) Barnes, G (Production individual) Biffoli (Magg) (Production individual) Giovannini, E (Production individual) Giachetti, Fosco (Production cast) Tasnady, Maria de (Production cast) Nazzari, Amedeo (Production cast) Gioi, Vivi (Production cast) Notari, Guido (Production cast) Tamberlani, Carlo (Production cast) Garavaglia, Leo (Production cast) Redi, Laura (Production cast) Gentile, Fedele (Production cast) Bissi, Amelia (Production cast) Costantini, Giorgio (Production cast) Sinaz, Guglielmo (Production cast) Duse, Carlo (Production cast) Bagolini, Silvio (Production cast) Pucci, 'il piccolo (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords: administration, British - occupation: Benghazi (object name) Libya & Benghazi (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: Italian Title language: Italian Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 11 Footage: 8250 ft; Running time: 135 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    COI 26

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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