A Bell for Adano

directed by Henry King
Category: "War"
Year of Release:1945
Date Added:09/24/2024
Date Watched:09/24/2024
Description:As the American army moves through Italy during WWII, Major Joppolo (John Hodiak) is put in charge of the town of Adano. He does what he can for the people, and they soon begin to love him. He makes friends with Tina (Gene Tierney), the daughter of a fisherman whose fiance is off fighting the war. She gets word that he has been killed. The people's main concern is replacing the bell in the city hall — the Germans carted off the old one for the metal. Joppolo keeps bugging his superiors, but they aren't remotely interested and believe the Major is too lenient. A U.S. general, frustrated by a mule that blocks traffic, issues an order that no Italians are allowed to use the main road. But that's the only way to get food and water to the people, so Joppolo rescinds the order. The head M.P. (Harry Morgan) sends word to the general that his order has been changed. Joppolo's Sgt. (William Bendix) does what he can to keep the word from getting out, but it eventually does. Just as Joppolo manages to get a bell from the Navy, he gets orders that he has been relieved. He leaves town quietly without saying goodbye.
My Rating:6

Reviews for A Bell for Adano

Review - A Bell for Adano

Close to a great movie. But why they cast the top-billed Tierney in so small a role, why they died her hair an unattractive bleach-blonde, and why the didn't develop her relationship with the Major ... (Well, I know that one. He was portrayed as married and this was 1945.) There were also some bits that, I guess, were supposed to provide local color, but which slowed things down tremendously. But Hodiak and Bendix were good in their roles and the basic plot was good.

Reviewed by Roger on 2024-09-24 16:58:23

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