Rome, Open City Quotes

Major Bergman: Then I'll tell you who he is. He's subversive, he's fought with the Reds in Spain. His life is dedicated to fighting society, religion. He is an atheist... your enemy...

Don Pietro: I am a Catholic priest. I believe that those who fight for justice and truth walk in the path of God and the paths of God are infinite

Major Bergman: I've a man who must talk before dawn and a priest who is praying for him. He'll talk

Hartman: And if not?

Major Bergman: Ridiculous.

Hartman: And if not?

Major Bergman: Then it would mean an Italian is worth as much as a German. It would mean there is no difference in the blood of a slave race and a master race. And no reason for this war.

Hartman: 25 years ago, I commanded firing squads in France. I was a young officer. I believed then, too, in a German "master-race." But the French patriots also died without talking. We Germans simply refuse to believe that people want to be free.

Major Bergman: [Taken aback] You're drunk, Hartman!

Hartman: Yes, I'm drunk... I get drunk every night to forget. It doesn't help. We can't get anywhere but kill, kill, kill! We have sown Europe with corpses... and from those graves rises an incredible hate... HATE!... everywhere hate! We are being consumed by hatred... without hope.

Major Bergman: [Incensed] Enough!

Hartman: We will all die... without hope...

Major Bergman: [Fuming at Hartman, to no avail] I forbid you to continue!

Hartman: [Ignoring Major Bergman] ... without hope.

Major Bergman: You forget you're a German officer!

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: Does she live with you?

Pina: She's my sister.

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: Your sister?

Pina: Surprised, huh? I wonder what lies she's told you about where she lives. She's ashamed of us "starving workers." Says she's an artist. But I wouldn't trade places with her. Not because she's bad. She's just stupid.

Pina: Have you known her long?

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: Four months. I'd just arrived in Rome. She used to eat in a certain restaurant. One day the air raid alarm went off and everyone ran. Just she and I were left. She just laughed. Wasn't scared at all.

Pina: And you fell in love.

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: It happens.

Pina: Yes, it does.

Pina: Doesn't Christ see us?

Don Pietro: So many people ask me that: "Doesn't Christ see us?" But are we sure we haven't deserved this scourge? Are we sure we've always lived according to the Lord's laws? People never think of changing their ways, but when the piper must be paid, they despair and ask, "Doesn't the Lord see us? Doesn't he take pity on us?" Yes, he does, but we have so much to be forgiven for, and for that we must pray and forgive many things.

Pina: You're right, but how do we forgive? I see those guys and I want to smash their faces in.

Piccolo Marcello: We fixed 'em good, eh?

Little Girl: You never take me along.

Piccolo Marcello: You're a woman!

Little Girl: So? Can't women be heroes too?

Piccolo Marcello: Sure, but Romoletto says that women always mean trouble.

Pina: It's been two years now. How long ago that seems now. And how things have changed, though we were already at war then.

Francesco: Everyone foolishly thought it would be over quickly and that we'd only see it on newsreels.

Pina: When is it going to end? Sometimes I just can't go on. This winter feels like it will never end.

Francesco: It will end, Pina, and spring will come again, more beautiful than ever, because we'll be free. We have to believe it and want it.

Francesco: We mustn't be afraid now or in the future, because we're on the just path. Understand, Pina?

Pina: Yes, Francesco.

Francesco: We're fighting for something that has to be, that can't help coming. The road may be long and hard, but we'll get there and we'll see a better world. And our children especially will see it. Marcello and the one on the way. That's why you mustn't ever be afraid, Pina, whatever happens.

Marina Mari: Yes. I've had lovers. Of course. What was I supposed to do? How do you think I bought all the furniture, my clothes, everything? With my pay? It's barely enough for stockings and cigarettes. I've gotten by like every other woman. That's life.

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: Life is what we want it to be.

Marina Mari: Words! Life is filthy and brutal.

Marina Mari: I know what poverty is and it scares me. Sure, I could have married a streetcar driver and be starving to death today - me, my children and him.

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: Poor Marina. You think happiness means a fancy apartment, nice clothes, a maid, and rich lovers?

Marina Mari: If you'd really loved me, you'd have changed me. But you're just like all the others - no, worse. At least they don't preach to me.

Giorgio Manfredi aka Luigi Ferraris: You're right. Forgive me.

Major Bergman: You clearly aim to harm the Reich and its armed forces.

Don Pietro: That wasn't exactly my aim.

Major Bergman: Then what would you call a man who not only provides refuge and forged documents to Italians plotting attacks on our soldiers but even shelters German deserters?

Don Pietro: A man who humbly seeks to practice charity.

Major Bergman: He's a traitor who must be punished, subject to the military law of the Reich.

Don Pietro: God will judge.