The Roaring Years (1962)

 "I'm teetotal, but I'll take a sip..."

This is, perhaps, a timely film to watch now that the current government of Italy, led by Giorgia Meloni, are literal fascists. It is sadly necessary to remind ourselves that such things, and such politicians, must not be tolerated. And satirical humour is a perfect way to do this. The fascist, after all, has no sense of humour. How else could they march around in such ridiculous ways?

We begin with footage of Mussolini, followed by a Nuremberg rally. It is 1937; Italian fascism is at its height. there then follows a farce, based on Gogol's "The Government Inspector", in which the notables of the town all mistakenly assume that a young, enthusiastically Fascist insurance salesman is an incognito inspector. The farce works perfectly, both as light comedy and a deeper, more excoriating examination of the kind of man who ends up in positions of authority in societies like this- corrupt, pathetic, with not one ounce of integrity or public spirit.

Nino Manfredi's... protagonist (a Fascist cannot be a hero, however honest) learns some hard truths about human nature, and perhaps there's hope for him: in the final scenes, he gives up the vice of teetotalism. Perhaps there's hope for him yet. And what drives him to this is the reality of the horrors of poverty while corrupt officials live it up. Alas, his honesty loses him the girl. She's not worth it. One must demand moral integrity in a life partner.

Made just seventeen years since the errant Duce was strung up on that lamp post, this film would have hit close to the bone. It depicts many of the absurdities of the era, not least the bachelor tax, or the October 28th tradition of commemorating the march on Rome by locking up dissidents for a day or two... while being really apologetic, civilised, and ensuring said dissidents were well supplied with good food and good wine.