The film depicts the rise to power of Alcide de Gasperi and the Christian Democratic Party in post war Italy and ends with de Gasperi's retirement in 1954. It is both a personal film (Rossellini makes no secret of his admiration for de Gasperi) whilst at the same time it does not lose sight of the historical context (de Gasperi's failure is acknownledged), which is presented lucidly and concisely. A well researched film, presented with the artistry (belying a mere six weeks shooting schedule) one has come to expect from one of the great figures of Italian cinema, the seventy one year old Roberto Rossellini. Michael Fox