La torta di Riccio 1974
Set during the harrowing final days of World War II, Vittorio Cottafavi's *La torta di Riccio (1974)* distills the brutal reality of partisan resistance into a compact, emotionally charged drama.
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is La torta di Riccio (1974) about?
Set in the closing months of World War II, the film depicts a moral crisis faced by a Fascist officer ordered to execute two captured partisan couriers. Their crime? Delivering messages for the Resistance. As the clock ticks, the officer must confront the true cost of obedience and the fragility of human life in wartime.
Who directed La torta di Riccio?
Vittorio Cottafavi, a celebrated Italian director known for his historical and war dramas, brought this intense short film to life with precision and emotional depth.
Who stars in La torta di Riccio?
The film features Antonio Cicci, Pino Colizzi, and Gianluigi Pena in central roles, with their performances anchoring the story's tension and moral weight.
Is La torta di Riccio (1974) worth watching?
Though short and unrated, *La torta di Riccio* offers a powerful, thought-provoking glimpse into the Italian Resistance, enhanced by Cottafavi's direction and Fenoglio's source material. Its intensity and historical weight make it a compelling watch for fans of wartime drama, even with its limited runtime.
How long is La torta di Riccio?
The film runs approximately 20 minutes in total.
About La torta di Riccio (1974) — A gripping Resistance drama based on Beppe Fenoglio's wartime novel
Set during the harrowing final days of World War II, Vittorio Cottafavi's *La torta di Riccio (1974)* distills the brutal reality of partisan resistance into a compact, emotionally charged drama. Adapted from Beppe Fenoglio's novel *Una questione privata*, this short but intense TV film centers on a chilling moral dilemma when a Fascist officer from the Salò Republic is commanded to execute two captured partisan couriers—a pair of brave young rebels who once traversed the rugged hills of Italy delivering messages of hope. With only 20 minutes to tell its story, the film immerses viewers in a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, where loyalty, survival, and the cost of freedom collide under the weight of wartime brutality.
The stark black-and-white cinematography amplifies the gravity of the narrative, framing the Italian Resistance not as a grand spectacle, but as a series of personal sacrifices made in quiet defiance. Cottafavi, known for his historical dramas, crafts a haunting meditation on complicity and resistance—one that lingers long after the credits roll. Though concise, *La torta di Riccio* captures the essence of Fenoglio's writing: raw, poetic, and unflinching in its portrayal of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.