In Albania, a company of Alpini troops defends a mountain pass and occupies a peak overlooking the valley. During the battle, their commanding officer is killed, and his men render him military honors. This is the only Italian wartime ...See moreIn Albania, a company of Alpini troops defends a mountain pass and occupies a peak overlooking the valley. During the battle, their commanding officer is killed, and his men render him military honors. This is the only Italian wartime propaganda film specifically focused on the Albanian campaign. Shot at the Cinecittà studios, it features real officers and soldiers from the 1st and 2nd Alpini regiments-veterans of the Greco-Albanian front. Despite a commendable effort toward authenticity-down to the use of regional dialects-the film remains inert, decorative, and postcard-like. The non-professional cast comes across as little more than moving figurines, and the pursuit of sobriety is not matched by any genuine expressive power. Written by
Gianfranco Spada
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