Anzio [Lo sbarco di Anzio] ** (1968, Robert Mitchum, Peter Falk, Robert Ryan, Earl Holliman, Mark Damon) – Classic Movie Review 6448

The exciting star cast of Robert Mitchum, Peter Falk, Arthur Kennedy and Robert Ryan, and a lavish production spearhead director Edward Dmytryk’s 1968 movie attack on the World War Two story of the allied invasion of Anzio, as seen through the eyes of world-weary newsman Dick Ennis (Mitchum), the war correspondent for the International Press.

But director Dmytryk doesn’t turn it from competent into distinguished, because he is stuck with a well-meaning but lecturing and unexciting screenplay by Harry A L Craig, based on the book by Wynford Vaughan Thomas.

Ironically, perhaps, the Italians come to the rescue, with Giuseppe Rotunno’s distinguished Technicolor cinematography and Riz Ortolani’s score proving to be major assets to enjoyment. There is also some well-staged action, though.

Also in the cast are Earl Holliman, Mark Damon, Reni Santoni, Anthony Steel, Patrick Magee, Giancarlo Giannini, Arthur Franz, Wolfgang Preiss, Joseph Walsh, Thomas Hunter, Tonio Selwart and Elsa Albani .

It is also known as Lo sbarco di Anzio and The Battle for Anzio.

Tor Caldara Tower and the Anzio beach.

Anzio is in the Lazio region of Italy, 51 kilometres (32 miles) south of Rome. The Battle of Anzio took place on 22 January 1944 during the Italian Campaign of World War Two. The military mission, called Operation Shingle, was led by Major General John P Lucas, planning to outflank the German army to allow for an assault on Rome.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6448

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The fishing port of Anzio.