Big, big, big, big tale of the rise of fascism in Italy among other things from the perspective of two childhood friends, one monied, the other peasant.

Splendid performances from the entire cast, particularly Sutherland, of all people, who is off the chain here as an evil fascist.

Brutal and long and will alienate most. But if you can handle 60s/70s Italian cinema such as The Leopard or 8 1/2 then you will be rewarded with a sweeping and powerful epic the like of which will be unlikely to grace the cinema again.