Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for General Della Rovere

General Della Rovere

Seen it?

1959 | 132 min | Drama, War

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
If you count yourself among people who root for the clever crook and anyone interested in what war does to ordinary people, this one's for you. The fun is in the planning, the double-crosses and the moment it all goes sideways. Fans of Rome, Open City or Operation Mincemeat should feel right at home. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Lets scenes breathe, at 2 hr 12 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1959: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

In WWII-Italy, the Gestapo blackmails a con man to impersonate a dead partisan commander in order to extract information from his fellow inmates.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 64%

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Venice award: Golden Lion. Also nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 12K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Roberto Rossellini

  • Vittorio De SicaBardone AKA 'Grimaldi'
  • Hannes MessemerS.S. Colonel Mueller
  • Vittorio CaprioliAristide Banchelli
  • Nando AngeliniPaolo
  • Herbert FischerSergeant Walter Hageman
  • Mary GrecoVera (the madam)
  • Bernardo MenicacciPrison guard
  • Lucia ModugnoPartisan girl
  • Luciano PigozziPrisoner
  • Kurt PolterGerman officer