--- title: "Rome, Open City: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rome-open-city/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rome-open-city" critics_score: 92 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rome, Open City (1945): what the critics said Critics' score 92 from 10 reviews: 10 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimously positive, with praise centred on the immediacy of Roberto Rossellini’s depiction of occupied Rome. Most critics stress how location shooting, documentary-like detail and natural performances make the resistance struggle feel close and urgent. Anna Magnani’s earthy, forceful performance draws particular attention, while several reviews value the everyday humour and warmth alongside the violence. The consensus treats the film’s emotional force as still potent, rather than merely a matter of historical importance. The differences are modest and concern how critics understand its realism and melodrama. Slant Magazine notes the binary morality and melodramatic elements, while still praising the combination of political and religious symbolism with ordinary humour. Eye for Film instead emphasises the balance in its characterisation, pointing to a weary German officer. There is no substantial dissent: the narrow spread reflects differing emphases within a strongly favourable response. ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★★. 28 January 2022. One of the toughest, bleakest war films ever made, this Roberto Rossellini classic depicts the merciless crushing of resistance during the German occupation of Rome. It is immortalised by the killing of a pregnant woman and prolonged torture scenes. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/rome-open-city-1945-review-a-tough-powerful-wartime-drama-2hw0v9gkm) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 5/5. 10 February 2014. The critic praises the film's documentary-like immediacy and raw urgency in depicting life under Nazi occupation, highlighting the authentic performances and blend of devastation with everyday humor and warmth. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rome-open-city) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2015. The film retains its power to surprise and shock 70 years on as a landmark of world cinema. It blends neorealist techniques with melodrama and big emotions, highlighted by Anna Magnani's earthy, forceful performance. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-rome-open-city-review-20150220-column.html) ## Sight and Sound — Geoff Andrew Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 2014. The critic affirms its status as a timeless classic due to its raw authenticity, dramatic urgency, and powerful storytelling that transcends its historical context, evoking strong emotional response beyond mere admiration. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/rome-open-city-what-makes-classic) ## Slant Magazine — Oleg Ivanov Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2014. The critic calls it a legendary achievement that mixes politico-religious symbolism and quotidian humor to powerful effect, while noting its binary moral structure and melodrama. They single out Anna Magnani’s radiant, earthy performance as the film’s standout element. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rome-open-city/) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2014. Rossellini’s tense, bloody film conjures authenticity through a vision that brings ideas to life, revealing connections among resistance fighters and offering a template for postwar renewal of Italy and Italian cinema. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/rome-open-city) ## The New York Times — Dave Kehr Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2010. Rome Open City had an impact like a raw slice of reality when it arrived in New York, emerging from the chaos of recently liberated Rome with nonprofessional elements and location shooting that laid foundations for modern cinema. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/movies/homevideo/24dvds.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2014. Rossellini's Rome, Open City is a thrillingly real neorealist drama set during the Nazi occupation, using actual ruins and non-professional performers to capture events fresh in the mind. The film is harrowing in its torture and execution scenes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/06/rome-open-city-review-roberto-rossellini) ## Collider — Namwene Mukabwa Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 October 2024. The critic praises the film as a gripping, emotional, and unfiltered look at the fight against fascism and the Italian resistance under Nazi occupation. They single out its raw neorealist approach, shot on location with non-professional actors, for bringing authenticity and immediacy to the personal struggles of ordinary people. [Read the review](https://collider.com/rome-open-city-movie/) ## Eye for Film — Steven Yates Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2005. The critic calls Rossellini's film a masterpiece that marks the start of neorealism and a golden age in Italian cinema. They single out its authentic production during the Nazi occupation and its balanced portrayal of characters, including a poignant moment with a weary German officer. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/rome-open-city-film-review-by-steven-yates) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rome-open-city.md