"THE DISBANDED" "The summer of 1943 was very hot." "At Malga, our country villa," "but were not boring." "From milan, I'd brought my books, my jazz records," "reproductions of modern ar." "wasn't fond of country life." "Before the war, we'd only come to MaIga for special occasions." "I'd stayed there the longest when I was 11," "from our town house." "of my father's business affairs." "In paricular our factories," "and irons." "When the war broke out," "MaIga ended up becoming our home." "things from our milan house, including me." "was a distant echo." "I had just turned nineteen." "Good morning, young sir !" "It's so early !" "The countess sent me up." "You're going into town, the mayor wants to talk to you." "Ferruccio was my guest that summer, along with my cousin, carlo." "He was my oldest childhood friend." "He loved new ventures." "what he got up to in our villa." "had a soft spot for him," "with his father, a noble officer, commander-in-chief in Croatia." "I'm surprised to see you up so early." "Listen, we either accept this situation or we shut up." "You're a fine one to talk." "If we'd followed your advice, we'd be six feet under." "Very funny." "We're going into town, you and carlo hurry up." " What ?" "No swim first ?" " We'II go to town, then to the river." " They sent for me." " I don't want to go." " What is it ?" " A telegram for Master carlo." "A telegram for carlo ?" "What a day !" "Giovanni, a fascist pary leader, who'd fled to Switzerland after july 25th." "as our guest," "Iwantedto gettoknow himbetter." "so I'd never really got close to him." " Is something wrong ?" " No, nothing serious." "Can't you see he's a hero ?" "We must learn to keep quiet." " What is it ?" " Here we go." "Evacuees." "They must have been sent here after last night's bombings." "I'm going to pick up the telegram, see you later." "Prepare your speech for the mayor." "Excuse me." "Excuse me." "Let the Count through !" "Let the SiIIani family through !" "We'II see you all in good time !" "Please be patient !" "For goodness sake !" "They're like two families in one." "The young lady's parents stayed in the city to work." "The countess cannot say no, they're honest fellow citizens." "I know, but as you know, we have permits excluding us from housing evacuees." "And we already have some, Mr. CIerici, Mr. Nascimbene." "And they have children too." "They won't bother you at alI, I promise." "It's up to you." "Let us in !" "Have some mercy." "AII right." "Mayor, they're killing each other !" "It's Marino." " Who's he ?" " A farm worker." "You want to fight ?" "Because you were banished ?" "Because you need workers like me and you turned me down." "And because you said it wasn't over." "In fact... this is just the beginning." "Let's be reasonable." "Comaschi may have been a fascist but not a dog." "You defend him because you wore your badge until july 25th." "I wore it for professional reasons." "Chin up." "You saw that ?" "They're getting cocky again." "They even bully decent folk now." " You coming ?" " Yes." "I'II go tell mom, see you at the river." "Our young evacuee isn't bad at alI." "Did Andrea have to act the messenger ?" "He'II have gone to prevent his mother from shooting at the evacuees." "We're housing some too, they're no bother." "We put them in the old wing and hardly ever see them." " Coming for a swim ?" " Let's go." "Don't stay in too long, and watch out for the current." "You've just eaten !" "will he come ?" "If  hasn't eaten him for breakfast." "Madame comtesse..." "Andrea acts like a child with her." "Here he is." " He's still alive !" " And I've waited too long !" " What's wrong ?" " Women..." " How did it go ?" " She was asleep, I Ieft a note." "But I wanted to hear her reaction !" "Stop it !" "Don't be like that, I waited all morning for you." "Come here." "Come here." "We could make a contribution to the town council, but it's best we have guests we know." "We should choose them." "I wrote to uncle Marco in Venice." "Weren't the Venetian clan due to return in September ?" " Yes." " Let's ask Aunt Margie." "Ferruccio said the evacuees would be better guests." "You laugh, but it's a serious matter." "We could easily have avoided this." "I'm not saying we shouldn't help." "But there are plenty of other ways." "shall I serve coffee ?" "No, in the lounge." "Thank you." "Ma'am, your handbag." "In a few days time, someone who can help will arrive." "But you didn't stand your ground." " Mother..." " Ma'am..." "Look how disappointed he is !" "Stop it, it's no laughing matter." "This time it's rather serious." "And Andrea knows that." "Andrea is a dear young man but needs to be firmer." "We're in our beloved countryside, if he cannot... behave like an adult towards these dear people..." "Yes, you're right." "Not standing your ground with the mayor's not a good star." "I know, but this morning, all those people, the noise..." "I wasn't there, but obviously he couldn't refuse." "Right, because..." "There was an evacuee girl, all alone... and she was so pretty..." "I know, I saw her but stop acting the clown." "Turn the radio on." " Anything else, ma'am ?" " No." " Cigarette ?" " No, thanks." "They're awful." "Like your son's advice." "He's couring the evacuee with the excuse of helping her." " Aren't you ?" " Yes, but differently." "He's too fast." "He's already asked to meet her tomorrow." " But I'm going to wait." " Stop it, Ferruccio." "You're wasting your time." "You can't compete with him." "He has to finish before the grape harvest is over." "Yes, right..." "He was supposed to finish ages ago, but he hasn't." "Spain, France, albania..." " We'II get some milk tomorrow." " You've gone to enough trouble." "Nonsense, you're my guest." "It's nice here !" "I mean, the countryside." "Don't you like it ?" "Yes, but to be honest, I'd rather be at home." "Where do you live ?" "Of course, Corso Lodi." "I used to." "There's nothing left now." "Who knows where we'II go when the war is over." " Are you at university ?" " No." "Shame, we could have met up next year." " I work." " What do you do ?" "I got a job when my brother was called to do military service." "I make boxes." "That doesn't sound very interesting." "Not everyone can choose the job they want." "It's job like any other and I earn a living." "shall we go ?" "I think it's getting late." "You're right, it's beautiful here." "What did the radio say last night ?" "You stayed up late for it." "You're welcome to come round, we get Radio London too." " really ?" " Yes, at six." "I've no news from sicily, my brother's there." "You're very kind, I didn't think..." "That I was kind ?" "You thought I was a ruffian ?" " No !" " But you thought I was stupid." "Nonsense !" "I just didn't think you cared." "But I must have been wrong." " But Marino told me..." " You know Marino ?" "Yes, I met him at the town hall." "He was very kind to us." "And what did he tell you ?" "That you're a good guy but you don't care about anything." "Thank Marino for me." "I'm moved." "He doesn't even know me." "I'm sorry, but he didn't say anything bad." " How old are you ?" " 20." " Like me." " Something in common, at last !" "We can't walk all the way back." "I know I only have a humble vehicle..." "I wouldn't want you to get tired." "Nonsense." "Let's try." "Ready ?" "Okay." "Don't lean on the handlebar." " Am I heavy ?" " Light as a feather." "hold your head back." "Otherwise I can't see and we'lI end up in the ditch." " You're very tanned !" " I go to the river every day." " Want to come ?" " I really don't think I can." "Same here." "I'lI need to make an excuse, I've got a girlfriend." "But if you say yes..." "Don't worry." "I may be stupid, but I can ride a bike." "I spent the next day at the river, with IsabelIa, Ferruccio, Maria Luisa." "isabella had never been so loving, cheerful and beautiful." "But I was bored, I couldn't stop thinking about Lucia." " isabella looked beautiful today." " I know." ""I know" !" "Listen to our seducer !" "You're so lucky with women !" "What do they see in you ?" "isabella's in love." " I know." " Of course !" "I asked you to come because your father wrote to me." "He says some pretty awful things about you." "That you never reply to his letters, that you don't want to go back." "Why are you so hostile ?" " Your father feels very down." " It's not easy for me either." " So why then ?" " He doesn't understand me." "Carlo, what are you saying ?" "Shame on you." "Your father's worked all his life." "Like so many others, intent on making our lives a misery !" "Your generation doesn't understand." "You're all your father has." " And you owe him respect." " I love my father." "But as for my generation, well.." "There's nothing left, it's all been destroyed." "And my generation will have to rebuild everything." "Why shouldn't we talk about it ?" "Switch the light on, the days are getting shorer." "Come in !" "My goodness !" "Ma'am !" "This is no sight for sore eyes." "You're cheating on me with my best friend." "You sent Ferruccio in first to sweeten me up ?" "Sorry, I didn't want to offend them by leaving." " She's pretty." " I don't blame you then." "But that's not why I want to talk to you." " Where were you today ?" " Nowhere special." " I didn't go to the river." " You were with the evacuee." "That's exactly what I want to talk about." "Why on earh did you invite that girl here ?" " Me ?" " Yes." " She wanted to listen to the radio." " I know nothing about that." "Good then." "I don't want people knowing that we listen to Radio London." "Of course, you're perfectly right." "Come in !" "Miss SiIIani is here for Master Andrea." "She's obsessed !" "I swear, mom !" "Eugenio..." "listen." "Go and tell her that there's no one home." "Get cleaned up." "You look filthy, even in this dim light." "We'II be eating soon." "How did it go with IsabeIIa today ?" "Listen to this trumpet." "oliver is amazing, he's better than Beiderbecke." "But I reckon Armstrong is even better" "Stop going on about Armstrong, play properly." "Are you sure you didn't invite that girl home ?" "I swear I didn't." "It's just that your mother was rather abrupt with her." "You sure you didn't ?" "No." "I have no idea why on earh she came here." "will you play properly ?" "Who cares what the Countess said ?" "Quiet !" "Turn that off." "milan !" "This one's a heavy one." "Here we go again." "Switch off the light, I'II open the window." "It's the worst so far, 4,000 kg bombs." " Be quiet !" " Or else what ?" "will they stop ?" "Who's that ?" "Your evacuees, they're killing each other." "Let's go and see." "Mom !" " What's going on ?" " I don't know." " Go see what's happened !" " Yes, mom." "calm down !" " Has this happened before ?" " Never." "She's thinking about her husband who died in the bombings." "Come on, don't cry." "I'II go look for a sedative." " Cigarette ?" " I gave up 20 years ago." "Want to sell you tobacco card ?" " Listen..." " There's some water in the flask." "Have a drink." "Give her another 10 drops in the morning." "I can't bear seeing her like this." "Who'd have thought ?" "When our house was on fire, she helped calm us all down." "She didn't even cry." "Goodbye." "I think she's feeling better." "I'm sorry about today." "Please apologize to your mother, I didn't want to be a bother." "But your friend kindly invited me to listen to the radio." " I didn't want to be a bother..." " She meant no offence." "Let her rest now and call me if you need the doctor." " Thanks." " Goodnight." "You're a scoundrel." "Come on, it's no big deal." "Maybe not, but you're still a scoundrel." "Too bad you don't realize it." "Here you are, Mr. Giacomo." "Bye, AIbero." "I don't know why I felt so uneasy during those days." "I'd never sat for hours by myself at the bar." "I'd seen Lucia quite often, but we didn't even say hello." "because I felt inferior to her." "I couldn't explain why, but that's how I felt." " How much is it ?" " Two Iiras, sir." "Keep the change." "the night of the bombings." "I knew he was right, but I didn't want to give in." " Are you going into town ?" " Yes." " will you be back for tea ?" " Of course." " Are those today's papers ?" " No." "Bye." "Who is it ?" "Who is it ?" "One moment !" "What is it ?" "Who is it ?" "An armistice has been called !" "The war's over !" " Who told you that ?" " It's over." "I came to tell you." "Where is everyone ?" " Can I go now ?" " Yes !" " Grandpa, have you seen Lucia ?" " Eugenio, come quickly." "I'm coming !" "Are you sure ?" "Caterina, the war's over !" " Wait... your money." " You needn't worry." " The war's over !" " really ?" " Yes !" " You're sure ?" " Yes !" " Great !" " tell me what you heard." " The radio said it." "PoIdo, Pietro, come here !" "The Italian government, aware of fighting a losing battle, against the over-powering adversary forces," "this nation furher sorrow," "from general Eisenhower, commander-in-chief of the allied AngIo-American forces." "The request was approved." "consequently..." "This is the worst act of cowardice we've committed." "will cease." "from any other front." " It's nothing new." " He didn't explain anything." " What do you think, Marino ?" " It's great." "But our army should remain united with the Germans." " will my son come back or not ?" " Who knows !" "I'II get in contact with the others, I'II keep you posted." "See you tonight." "You think that..." "So we can't telephone milan ?" "You're welcome to try, by all means." "Wait here, I'II call the factory, they'II know more." "Excuse me." "You see ?" "I told you that you wouldn't get enlisted." "I know." "So we've independently asked for an armistice ?" " Right." " Great idea !" " Hi !" " Happy ?" "That's not quite the right word, but I'm not unhappy." " Why didn't you come to the river ?" " Who knows !" "until we receive new orders, I can't tell you anything." "It's a very tricky time, so please no..." "isabella, weren't you leaving ?" "I went to the river with Ferruccio." "You shouldn't be out now." "You go on home too." "Andrea, get the farmer to take them, we'II walk." "I couldn't get through to Milan, the phone lines are down." "Mayor !" "I need to talk to you." "Stay here, we might be able to leave now." "Mayor !" "Ferruccio said I haven't seen you because of a guest you have." " Is that true ?" " No." "I mean, yes." "I'm grateful for your honesty." " Are you being serious ?" " Very serious." "I'm not bothered." "Don't worry, I can wait." "You want have a fling ?" "Go ahead." "AII right then." "But it's not a fling." "Is it true love ?" "Your noble hear's fallen for a poor homeless evacuee ?" "And I heard she turned you down !" "You're a fool !" "Take her home, right away." "So you've made up your mind then." "Yes, thanks to you." "Goodbye." " Is everyone leaving ?" " I think so." "The Countess received bad news from milan." " Are the men leaving too ?" " What else can they do ?" "They have to return to school, and they're bored here anyway." "You want your egg ?" "Mommy will prepare it for you." "I'II just go down for a minute." "I thought you'd left." "only my mother went." "We're staying here, it's safer." "Why ?" "I'II tell you why, because I'm a foolish rich boy !" "Because I'm not a hero like Marino, because I'm a spoilt brat who's not good enough for a box maker." "since September 8th." "A month in which I'd not heard from Lucia." "I felt constantly unhappy, anxious and lost." "At the beginning of October 1943, something happened in Montodine, not far from our villa." "a great impression on the locals." "A week before, German convoys stared coming through the station," "after the armistice to Germany." "These convoys, which were large cattle wagons, would stop for hours on the tracks, sometimes even all night." "You're not with it tonight, are you ?" "You win, what else can I say ?" "I'm fed up of playing." "Is something worrying you ?" " You want to play the hero too ?" " Stop it !" "Sorry !" "You're so touchy !" "We've turned our backs on our allies, but welcome the enemy with open arms," "no one respects italy anymore, and all this is absolutely normal." "But if poor Ferruccio makes a joke, you insult him," "like he's to blame for everything." "Isn't this great ?" "Andrea, something awful's happened !" "Some Italian prisoners escaped from a German train, here in Montodine." "They're looking for them." " So ?" " well..." "I met one at the farm, an hour ago." "Go on." "A group of them are hiding nearby, in a ditch." "One's injured, they can't stay there." "I told carlo, he's gone there." "He says the villa would be a safe place, but it's your decision." "Let's go." " Who is it ?" " Don't worry, they're friends." "What do you want to do ?" " He's in a bad way." " He's losing blood." "Let them come to the villa." "You'll be safe there and have food and a bed for the night." "Our injured friend needs shelter." "We'II be all right, we'II see what to do from here." "You can't stay out all night, come quickly." "Come quietly !" "Put him in my room, he needs a doctor." "I'II call him and Marino too, while I'm in town." " Is the doctor home ?" " He's out !" "tell him to come to the villa, it's urgent." "AII right." "Those who escaped have been caught and sent on." "They broke out." "The wagon carried 30 people, the others stayed there." " Do you know anything ?" " Who knows !" " I don't think they'Il get away." " holy Mary !" "Pietro, come here." "Any news on the train break-out ?" "The Germans are searching the area." " really ?" " To catch the escapees." " How many are there ?" " Quite a few." "I absolutely have to see Marino." "Can you take me to him ?" "He's nowhere to be found." "He's always on the move, I can't say anymore." "Listen, he told me to ask you if I needed help." "And I promise you we really do." "AII right, Iet's go." " Who is he ?" "What's his name ?" " No one knows anything." "only that he's from Naples, but not his name." "help me." "You can go, I'Il stay with him." "I'II stay to help." "Come on." "Don't worry." "I want to go home, even if I have to walk there." "We all do, we just need to work out the best way." "I still can't believe we got away." "Don't speak too soon, something's going on here." " What do you think, officer ?" " well, if no one knows we're here..." "Apar from our hosts, of course." " What are you doing ?" " I'm combing my hair." " Give me a hand." " You're no good as a sutler." "And anyway... hospitality isn't my fore." "Make some room." "Here." "I'II get something to drink." " Are there six of us ?" " Seven." "One's with the wounded man." "Right, seven." "Here." "For you." "Here." "Grappa." "Thanks." "You know what I think ?" "If our friends help us we could leave tomorrow." "separately, without these uniforms." " You're safe here." " I'lI take our friend some food." " The Germans won't come here." " Why not ?" "They have no regard for anyone, we know that." "Three days in that heII-hoIe." "Every so often, the train would stop on the tracks." "When it rained, we got drenched." "Two men died without us even noticing." "The other night we were bombed and everyone shouted: "More!", they wanted to die." "You think I want to go back ?" "I'm off, even if I'm the only one." "With a stick for a weapon, I won't be the first." "On the run like bandits." "You know how risky that is ?" "I'm going home." "I agree with him, each man for himself." "I'm from Rovereto." "It's far, but at Ieast I'II see my family." "I don't know." "We have two options." "The option suggested by him, or their one." "Let's decide." "You think the Germans won't bother you in Rovereto ?" "No, they like it too much." "And they won't be alone." "In Turin, the fascists told them our whereabouts." "And they were rewarded." "Like in France." "If you help them, they'II leave you alone, but not for long." "Remember what happened to the colIaborationists in Savoie ?" "calm down, one thing at a time." "Yes, sir !" "We can't get carried away now, we'II all be worse off." " Listen..." " Who's he ?" "Marino, he may be of help." " Where's the doctor ?" " He's out of town." " So he can't help." " But we need a doctor." "I know, but we'II never find one now." " well ?" " Let's head for the mountains." "Antonio's truck could take us to Bergamo where the others are." "I think it's our only option." "Where are the Germans ?" "They're all over." "There's not many of them but..." " tell us what's going on !" " We're not in danger yet." "But we will be tomorrow." "They've entered Trescone." "And found some soldiers hiding, but they managed to escape." "The Germans set fire to the house and shot the farmer." "They set fire to the house ?" "And it won't be the Iast, I know." "Andrea, listen..." "these men are dangerous." "They're outlaws." "The Germans are right." "Seeing you're so brave, why don't you confront them now ?" "Instead of hiding in rich people's houses ?" "Andrea, think of your villa, your mom, they'II make trouble for us." "Have you gone crazy ?" "Don't forget you're a guest here too." "Shut up and get lost !" " I'm sorry." " Let's keep calm." " What's up with Ferruccio ?" " No idea." "We need to make a very imporant decision." "He said a truck can take us to the mountains where the others are." "Let's stick together and go with him." "AII right." "AII right." "AII right." "I want to go home, to see my wife !" "Let's get to work, I'II explain the situation." "I'II get a map, it might help." "AII right." "This is the mountain where we'lI hide." "The Germans are here and this is the villa." "We can't go through RipaIta Nuova, it's too risky..." " How is he ?" " Better." "He's sleeping." "He's no Ionger delirious." "His friend fell asleep too." "Listen, Lucia." "I need to explain." "I'm glad this happened." "Because I've understood a Iot." "I've changed, believe me." "You don't mind me talking to you Iike this ?" "I feel like a different man tonight." " I want to speak to the mayor." " follow me." " Mr. Nascimbene is here." " Show him in." "Come in." "Good evening." "I've come because you're the town authority." "Go on." "The escapees from the train are at the villa." "My friends were mad enough to let them in." "They're a danger to everyone, for you in your position and for the German forces." "Something must be done." "I'm glad you came, those runaways won't harm anyone, I promise." "We'II get them." "We need to get to Trescore." " Thanks, goodbye." " I'lI take ScandeIIi's motorbike." " AII right, just be quick." " Good evening." " will my friends be all right ?" " Don't worry." "I'II get ScandeIIi up." "It's 20 km away, we'd better hurry." "Ferruccio's disappeared, I've looked everywhere." "We shouldn't have let him go." "Mom !" "Mom !" "Don't touch him !" "Andrea, I need to talk to you." "Listen to me, please." "Where have you been ?" "Why ?" "I just went for a walk." "It must've been a Iong one." "You weren't outside." "I looked all over for you." "I went into town to get some news." "To get some or to bring some ?" "Are you giving me the third degree ?" "What if I am ?" "He went to see the mayor, I saw him." "And I saw the mayor's brother-in-Iaw talking to the Germans." "This area is unsafe now." "But, I swear..." "AII right, I did !" "For helping a bunch of villains and traitors." "I told them Lucia brought them here." "We have to get rid of him." "Put him in here." "We'd better lock him up." " I'lI keep the key." " So now what ?" "We have to go, this house is a trap." "Come listen to the radio !" "Hurry !" "that suffered weeks of torment..." "Who's speaking ?" ".. put the dreaded Germans to flight." "have set an example." "naples has been freed, guys !" "University professors, street kids, students and workers, young and old men,  against their enemy." "took place..." "Where's the neapolitan guy gone ?" "He left after he saw Ferruccio." "Maybe he was scared." "That poor other guy, he didn't get to hear the good news." "It was his city." "We'II get our own back." " Take this, PeppinielIo !" " Some warm clothes." "They're too big !" " You wanted a Sunday suit ?" " Just cover up." "It's freezing out there." "I hope the truck arrives soon, Marino left a while ago." " Here are two coats." " Give me one, I'm cold !" "This is all I found." " Where's the farmer gone ?" " Maybe to Montodine." "Why, what's going on ?" " They sent for him last night." " Who ?" " Who ?" " I don't know, I was asleep." " He was going to Milan." " He can't have called the Germans." " Hurry, time's running out." " Go and hide." " Go to the Masserini's." " What about the villa ?" "You want to stay and wait for the Germans ?" "I told my sister-in-Iaw, they're getting ready." "They'II go to Caterina's farm, where we bought food." " What about you ?" " I'm coming with you." "I've already told Maria." "I'm coming." " With us ?" " Yes, it's risky if I stay." "Because Ferruccio told them it was me, they'Il find me." "And because of that poor young man..." "And because I cannot leave you, I have to come." " That's all I know." " AII right, Lucia." "I have to help Maria." "I'm coming with you." " Does anyone know his name ?" " No, father." "But we know he was from naples." "help me cover him." "Good luck, guys." "Bye, Lisa." "Bye, Giordano." "Goodbye, grandpa." "Here comes the truck !" "Do you have the key ?" " Let him out." " Master !" " Listen." " Zaira, let Ferruccio out." " tell him to go." " AII right." "Andrea, listen." "What's going on ?" "Carlo, where are you going ?" "As I'm sure you know, some Italian soldiers sought refuge in the villa." "We helped them, but someone repored us." "And now the Germans are coming." "Major Stolz from the milan police is here." "I went to great lengths to find him and bring him here in time." "A German ?" "He won't bother you, he's here to protect us." "Ma'am, you're here at last." "Let's go, I can get you to switzerland." " We're going with them." " Are you crazy ?" " You father would never approve." " Good." " Let's go, time's running out." " You do what you want !" "Andrea, stay with me !" "We'II wait in the truck." "Mom, I'm no Ionger a child !" "Come on, Lucia, hurry !" "So why are you risking your life ?" "Just to be stubborn ?" " I'm not being stubborn !" " It's a silly infatuation !" "It'd be such a cowardly act, I can't abandon them !" "You have to." "Think of your status." "Think of the men you employ, your position." "Your responsibilities." "But I promised Lucia, you don't understand." "You're all I have." "I'm all alone." " alone..." " Mom !" "Mom, no !" "Lucia, carlo, hurry !" "Listen, Iet me explain..." "They mustn't damage the villa !" "This is the house." " Go towards the entrance." " Yes, sir." "Don't damage the house, the owner is a collaborator." "I expect the prisoners only have a few minutes' advantage." " Come with me !" " Yes, sir !" "Hurry !" "My arm, it's bleeding." "Damn, it hurs !" "I'II call the others." "Repor to the colonel !" "call the officer on train duty." "It's a young woman..." "Hurry, the Germans are coming back !" "Come on !" "Hurry !" "Come on !"