Roma, città aperta 1945

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: Remains a film of electric drama and high emotion, as well as a major turning point in film history. Read more

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: The total effect of the picture is a sense of real experience, achieved as much by the performance as by the writing and direction. Read more

Don Druker, Chicago Reader: Its realistic treatment of everyday Italian life heralded the postwar renaissance of the Italian cinema and the development of neorealism; the film astonished audiences around the world and remains a masterpiece. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Today it doesn't feel like a documentary at all. It's a street opera, caught on camera during wartime, a story performed by a mixed cast of amazing professionals and earnest non-professionals. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: A world cinema landmark, but that dusty, respectful word does not do justice to a film that has not lost its power to surprise and even shock. Read more

Toronto Star: A classic of historic importance. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: Much is devastating -- but Rossellini found room, too, for the humour and warmth of everyday life. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: This much of the film is standard hero and villain stuff. But what makes picture good is the story of other characters involved in the tragedy. Read more