“ BENITO MUSSOLINI ” 1962 BIOGRAPHY OF ITALIAN FASCIST DICTATOR DOCUMENTARY FILM 57384

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This film, an episode of the venerable show "Biography", tells the story of Benito Mussolini; the first modern dictator of a united Italy. The film opens with images of Mussolini delivering one of his passionate speeches to supporters (:09). He and his fascist party ruled for over Italy for 20 years. Mike Wallace narrates (:58). This series was produced by the great and prolific David L. Wolper (1:04). Benito came into power at the close of WW1 as he stirred public support with spectacular parades and claims to the working man (2:07). He was born in 1893 in the village of Predappio, nestled in the mountains of Central Italy (2:55). His father, Alessandro is pictured to be a socialist agitator (3:04). At nineteen, Mussolini completed schooling (3:21). Later he embraced radical socialist politics and began writing for Socialist newspapers (3:31). He was arrested for insighting a riot (3:52) landing himself in jail for a year. Rachele Guide; and Benito were common law married in 1911 (4:03). Due to frustrations over ineffectiveness, Mussolini left the Socialist party (4:03). Scenes follow from the close of WW1 in 1918 (4:41). Woodrow Wilson is pictured as he arrived in Italy with his dream of the League of Nations (4:44). Initially Italians praised Wilson (4:54) until Italy was stripped of gained territories from the war. Protests erupted (5:05). The Italian ‘shock troops’ known as the Arditi became Benito’s tool for stirring up discontent and violence (5:17). The Fascist movement began to grow. In October of 1922 Mussolini addressed supporters in Naples (5:55). Riled by his speech, the crowd began to march on Rome (6:22). Mussolini hid due to fear from the repercussions of his own actions. The former government of Luigi Facta crumbled (6:45). On January 3, 1925 at a League of Nations (7:20) Benito declared himself dictator of Italy and outlawed any other political party (7:58). Indoctrination of children (8:33). A bonus was offered to newlyweds promising to reproduce in that year (9:09). Hospital nurseries overloaded (9:16). In order to support the population boom, Mussolini began a ‘Battle for Wheat Campaign’ (9:37). Throughout his career, ‘Il Duce’ gave the impression of being a thrill seeker (10:34) and a family man (11:19). Well informed citizens knew he spent most of his time with his mistress Clara Petacci (11:41). Mussolini is pictured singing along with his troops (12:15). In 1929 he set to tackle the issue between church and state by signing the Lateran Treaty (12:56). By 1934, Italy was a militarized police state (14:12). Hitler copied much of Mussolini’s methods. He arrived in Venice to meet the Italian dictator (14:50). Hitler appeared weak against Mussolini (15:15). Less than a month later, Hitler organized the assassination of the Austrian Chancellor (15:56). Mussolini sent 4 divisions to the Austrian border in response (16:02). He then launched a war against Ethiopia (16:45). The war ended after seven years on May 3rd, 1936 (17:39). Emperor Haile Selassie fled (17:46) and Rome celebrated victory on May 9th (17:54). In 1937, Mussolini was invited to go to Germany (18:11). Hitler installed an elaborate military welcome (18:19). The Italian army mimics the Nazi ‘goose step’ (18:47). Hitler is pictured among his top men including Herman Goering (19:06) as they plot to invade Czechoslovakia. Mussolini, believing himself to be peacemaker, organized the Munich Conference with Britain’s Neville Chamberlain (19:27) and the French Premier Edouard Daladier. Hitler was offered 1/3rd of Czechoslovakia and played Mussolini as a tool for expansion. On September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland (20:10). On June 10th, 1940 Mussolini ordered the invasion of France (20:34) and launched a campaign against the British in Africa (20:48). Hitler sent the Afrika Korps to assist (21:01). The battle tides shifted at El-Alamein (21:32) as Rommel lost the offensive. The Allied forces invade Sicily (22:02). Mussolini was held captive at Gran Sasso (22:26) and Hitler sent a rescue squad to rescue the dictator (22:32). He reunites with his son (22:56) and returns to Italy to build defense against the Allies. Allied forces liberate Rome (23:19) in 1944. The dictator was captured by Italian partisans and sent to face the firing squad with Clara (23:32). Theirs and Mussolini’s henchmen’s bodies were strung up in front of Italian mobs (23:56) on April 29th 1945.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@danorthsidemang3834]

My grandfather was born in Sicily in 1913, served in the Italian Legionary Air Force as a recon pilot and fought on the side of the Nationalists in Spain from '38-39, then deserted the military due to his opposition to Mussolini and the war and escaped to Portugal just before the outbreak of WW2, eventually emigrating to Brazil and later the United States, where he would live until the age of 90. As a boy he would always tell me, "The only smart Italians are émigrés and becchini (gravediggers)." Rest in peace Nonno, my badass hero.

[@misinformation_spreader777]

Such a poorly misunderstood and unappreciated leader. It’s quite ironic how there’s people in the comment section who are whining about ignorance and arrogance when they can’t articulate past the vague notions and things were taught about Mussolini when they know absolutely nothing about honest historical events, portrayals, first hand accounts and even the things he said and wrote himself. So I guess it is true that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, if we don’t learn the truth we’ll learn nothing.

[@fromthesidelines]

George Bernard Shaw favored dictators like Mussolini and Hitler because he always admired strong-willed "supermen". Later in his life, he admitted he was wrong in praising them.

[@zecmyonkonieczkiy6564]

Well said! Truly well said

[@wdmm94]

Besides making the trains run on time he also tied straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Charlie Chaplin's, "The Great Dictator" has actor Jack Oakie doing a good spoof portrayal of his mannerisms.

[@peterfile2185]

I’m eating spaghetti while watching this

[@quintbromley2112]

Robespierre, Gaddafi, Hussein and Mussolini all had similar fates. I had never seen that footage of Mussolini's death before. Quite shocking.

[@guadalahonky4002]

Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci were shot two days before Eva Braun and Adolph Hitler committed suicide in Hitler's bunker.

[@markdraper3469]

As a kid in the 50's and 60's I remember seeing it often. We spent most of the 50's patting ourselves on the back (rightfully) for the war but by the time Kennedy came along, it seems most of the country was ready to move on.

[@0neIntangible]

I really find it hard to believe how many thousands, or tens of thousands of people are congregated so closely together at the same time, and are standing in one plaza or avenue or marching, saluting, waving or shouting/chanting/yelling/singing/listening/obeying something about this or that or the other thing. These old historic films depict tens of thousands of people at one place at the same time... It's simply amazing to me, today. Nowadays, even with about 75% of people connected via the internet by phones and such or television or radio, it's sometimes hard enough to gather enough people to attend school meetings, religious services or a city hall proceeding, never mind a political rally for this guy here or that guy or girl over there with thier platforms about this or that or the other things as well. I mean that in the bygone era, circa; these films timeline, there are bloody multitudes of soooo many people!... and all before television and cellphones, and not every household had a dialing/ringing telephone at home... So I'm assuming that word or mention of these rallies or demonstrations must have been spread by... a): radio... b): newspapers...c): circulated flyers/posters/billbords...d): word of mouth... e): public proclemations or such. p.s.: I also chuckle to myself and wonder if they had enough washrooms (Johnny on the Spots), available for all of these people depicted here, as well as first aid stations and/ or food stands, as people get hungry after such energetic and boisterous get togethers.

[@peterparker9286]

Plenty of Bathrooms piss on the ground behind a tree or keep your piss jug. Truckers piss in bottles. Food = you brought your own. You have to expand your efficiency.

[@Musicradio77Network]

This was aired on WPIX-TV (channel 11) when it was during the wee hours of the morning, and it was right after the “Channel 11 Film Festival”.

[@gottmituns813]

Vincere e vinceremo!

[@taylorchandler7058]

Isn’t this the same soundtrack to Ed Woods Plan 9 From Outer Space?

[@sto59]

I watched Biography on WPIX Channel 11 NYC.

[@shlonek]

Sounds like a great guy!

[@redfield4759]

Mhm more like a real jerk!

[@guadalahonky4002]

History will teach us that...of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants. - Alexander Hamilton

[@zh9652]

not ready too early

[@baratono]

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Winston Churchill

[@RadTradX]

Better than Brandon

[@Sos4R4y]

Living in the repetition with 45 now just on a smaller scale (so far)

[@user-ww5uo7fu9j]

«От любви до ненависти один шаг»

[@sto59]

Does anyone know the music's from 13:30 to 14:00 ?

[@thomasparisi5333]

In the opening segment, I got FDR, Babe Ruth, Churchill, Ghandi, Einstien. Who was the woman?

[@guadalahonky4002]

Greta Garbo.

[@thomasparisi5333]

@@guadalahonky4002 Thanks!

[@fromthesidelines]

"BIOGRAPHY" had planned to produce a segment on Greta Garbo, but it was never completed. Her image {by Marvin Werlin} was still featured in the credits.

[@thomasparisi5333]

@@fromthesidelines Thanks!

[@fromthesidelines]

You're welcome!

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

OUR LADY OF VICTORY The Blessed Virgin Mary

[@cowboybob7093]

Y'know, the Cheeto Benito doesn't measure up to the original either.

[@peter455sd]

Creddere,obbedire,combattere.

[@T-Dawg123a]

(25:10) responsible for tens of millions of deaths, but hey the trains were on schedule for a while... Bruh

[@bridus11]

this is stuff actual italians still say to this day

[@politicalfoolishness7491]

Just started watching this. I'm going to compare what I learn here to some of our modern day dictators and wanna be dictators emerging.

[@truthvidsdotnet6530]

Why? Can't be compared, whatsoever... You need to actually study history instead of accepting the mainstream narratives / perversions history...

[@JollyGreenFE]

The claim "...He lacked courage, He lacked wisdom..." sounds *very* comparative to D. Trump. 😁

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@JollyGreenFE And more comparable to Joe Biden. See how easy it is to make throwaway comparisons that mean absolutely nothing? I feel sorry for people so consumed with partisan politics that they have to inject it into everything. Must suck to live in your narrow world.

[@T-Dawg123a]

@@JollyGreenFE A guy that questionably incited a riot killing one guy compared to dictator that influenced war killing tens of millions, Stare at it long enough, squint a little, put on some bias glasses and yeah sure those compare perfectly. Yeah surely people never look for something so hard that they start to see it even if it isn't there. A whole lot of people have or possibly started riots that end up killing or seriously injuring at least one guy, but I cant remember too many dictators that started wars killing tens of millions.

[@Sos4R4y]

​@@T-Dawg123amussolini gradually built to that point. He didn't start there. Same way with Hitler. Study mussolini for a while and A LOT about him compares to Trump. The difference lies in the fact the US is currently a democracy. If 45 is in power after 24, you'll see. He will be a dictator.

[@lbrambo5623]

9:14 😂

[@lifeisabadjoke5750]

He was a CHAD

[@ShortBusScotty]

Great end to a great guy.

[@fromthesidelines]

Yeah, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. 😏

[@misinformation_spreader777]

Vivo Mussolini

[@fromthesidelines]

*WHO* in their right mind would salute a tyrant, an egomaniac and a bully?

[@ShortBusScotty]

@@fromthesidelines Donald Trump for one.

[@fromthesidelines]

Unfortunately, some people never learn......unitl it's too late.

[@QuintTheSharker]

The prince of pepperoni

[@nomis777]

Soon will be a similar film for Putin

[@misinformation_spreader777]

Hope Ukraine loses their sovereignty. Lol!

[@user-xq3kg8hk5q]

Всем хорош. Только зачем он так с сыном😞

[@mattmarzula]

Hum. I didn't even know he was sick...

[@QuintTheSharker]

Explain to the folks at home what a Mussolini is

[@drbrainstein1644]

Although this is a documentary about Mussolini we wouldn’t want to anger the Soviets by reminding them their alliance with the Nazis during the invasion of Poland started WWII. Looks like Mr Wallace is also a propagandist in his own right.

[@TSCelebrate]

Comment

[@dennissolomon455]

The black shirts sound a lot like rhe American democrats of today

[@fromthesidelines]

Haven't you got that wrong? Remember the insurrection on Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021. *THOSE* were the "black shirts"- Trump's loyal followers.

[@misinformation_spreader777]

Comparing fascists to leftists is dumb, especially when the blackshirts ideologically and philosophically were superior to any leftists.

[@kellyrn418]

EXACTLY

[@V3racious3]

In the thumbail Duce looks luke a three stooges morphed into one.

[@yuzik7932]

Борис Джонсон - внук Бенито Муссолини... 😂👍

[@alimasdinfonda9122]

Si paling beban

[@lwilton]

Gee, all of this sounds a bit familiar with current events. All we need are England and France declaring a partition of Ukraine, and how much Russia can have, to get Peace In Our Time.

[@jeremyperala839]

Russia will decide how much of Ukraine will exist. England and France are crumbling.

[@Sos4R4y]

I feel putin is Hitler and Trump is mussolini

[@samiam5557]

Mussolini sure got what was coming to him!

[@rdalbright1]

The Duce did not lack courage!

[@benjaminp8770]

🤣🤣🤣

[@misinformation_spreader777]

💪💪💪

[@truthvidsdotnet6530]

He was a good man and loved his people and nation.

[@Modeltnick]

He sold out to Hitler.

[@TheDoctor1225]

He loved his people and nation to a point but sadly chose the wrong way to try and restore Italy to what he saw as its former glory. As I've taught my sons about history, it's a good way to remind them that although Mussolini joined the Axis powers, and no doubt many Italians went along with him they had neither the ferocity nor the gut wrenching viciousness and savagery of the Japanese or Germans. He was a Fascist, but I don't think he was a full out looney tune of the likes of Hitler, Stalin or those in power in the Japanese military.

[@benjaminp8770]

🤣🤣🤣

[@LandYacht]

🤣🤣😂

[@fromthesidelines]

If only his *ego* didn't get in the way.............................😑

[@benjaminp8770]

Weird that this is what American Republicans want; a strongman who governs over a militarized police state and a Christian theocracy.

[@FimiliarGalaxy9]

I just want you to leave me alone.

[@berteisenbraun7415]

Weird that all Democrats what it a senile old man to run the country!

[@LandYacht]

The media really did a number on your brain. 😵‍💫🫠

[@benjaminp8770]

@@LandYacht what are you talking about? I just watch OAN, Newsmax and Fox News!

[@fromthesidelines]

Because, like Mussolini, Trump tells them what they *want* to hear.

[@jrc8466]

Now I know where Trump got his inspiration from.

[@TheDoctor1225]

Oh boy, how original. You must be proud to have thought of something so very edgy and original. 🙄🙄 Make sure you compare him to Hitler, next. Your day won't be complete without that obligatory reference and it would be just about your speed, with your obvious TDS and all.

[@quintbromley2112]

Right, the first President in decades who didn't start any new wars, forged peaceful relationships with our enemies and brokered the Abraham Accords in the Middle East. Nailed it.

[@azmike1]

You are deluded and misguided. Stop watching MSNBC. And go get your booster shots.

[@fromthesidelines]

And in the end- Trump will meet a similar fate.

[@kellyrn418]

If you knew anything about history you would realize how wrong you are.