Sotto il sole di Roma

Most of the actors here are amateurs, but two of them stick out as professionals, Alberto Sordi and Francesco Golisano. Golisano makes the most sympathetic character, a vagabond boy who lives in the ruins of Colosseum, and the first part of the film is dominated by spectacular scenes from the Colosseum, as the street boys play hide and seek and other games there and are very busy. It's a comedy but a very realistic one, it is a true story, and there are some sinister moments of real neo-realism, as the action takes place during the final act of the war, when the allies invade Sicily and the Germans take a firm grip of Rome. Golisano is best remembered for his leading character in "Miracle in Milan" by Vittorio de Sica eight years later, but he makes an unforgettable character already here. The music is by Nino Rota, it is excellent all the way, and there are many scenes that you would like to return to with some very memorable shots - the camera work is outstanding all the way, like the acting, the characters are all genuine and natural, so this is definitely a film you would like to see some time again.