SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

David_Brown I am a fan of this movie, but it is hard to find (I saw it online tonight on Netflix). It is very similar in concept to the "Secret War Of Harry Frigg" with Paul Newman, with the "Fish Out Of Water" American, being in occupied Italy, towards the end of WWII, meeting up with the beautiful Itallian Woman. However it is a better film. What makes it work is the relationship between Heston and "The Itallian Cupcake" Elsa Martinelli. Neither one of the two are doing comedy, or even trying to. They are both very strong willed individuals, who although they belong together, and will be at the end, are not changed by what is happening around them (Unlike Newman's Frigg, or James Garner and Julie Andrews in "The Americanization Of Emily"). Which along with a rare chance to see Heston in a comedy, and awesome sights of Rome, make this worth watching.

bkoganbing There are certain actors who should not do comedy and Charlton Heston was one of them. His no nonsense granite personality of integrity was out of place in a film like The Pigeon That Took Rome. The part looks like it was written for Rock Hudson.Heston does his best however as an infantry officer who together with an Italian speaking sergeant Harry Guardino is sent days before the Allied liberation of Rome into the Eternal City. The cautious Allies want to find out if Hitler really means to evacuate and leave it an open city or will he fight for it.A prime mover in the underground is Monsignor Arthur Shields at the Vatican playing a character based on the one that was the central figure in the later film The Scarlet and the Black that starred Gregory Peck. He gets Heston and Guardino, disguised as priests, into the home of Salvatore Baccaloni with daughters Elsa Martinelli and Gabriella Pallotta and their little brother Marietto.That family has its own problems, Pallotta is pregnant via another American who was a flier later killed by the Nazis. She's got to get married and quick and sizes up Guardino as a likely prospect.With Nazi communication detection techniques Heston is forced to use those old reliable carrier pigeons. But when Baccaloni plans a feast for the daughter he uses those same pigeons that could signal the Allied advance into Rome as disguised quail. What to do?The only time Heston ever successfully essayed comedy was in the Private War Of Major Benson in which his stern countenance was played against by the kids of the military school and his lady interest Julia Adams. It doesn't work in The Pigeon That Took Rome and a lot of potentially funny stuff just falls flat. Chuck's next visit to Rome was The Agony And The Ecstacy. He was a much better Michaelangelo than a spy.

elplmbr I saw this film at a local theater in the '60s. I loved it. War movies are among my favorites but this one is special. The story of American spies doing recon in Rome is plausible. Capt. Heston, a no no-nonsense combat leader was chosen over the division intelligence officers. A very well made and entertaining movie resulted. The script, the actors and the Roman setting is perfect. As mentioned in other comments, the cast seems to enjoy making this movie. The Chinese will probably come up with a DVD. I have a very good recording I took off of TV. We love to watch it after seeing a list of serious shoot-em up war movies. It's very hard to find so I treasure my copy.

Robrt Powell (vigihawk) I also consider this a sleeper. Found it humorous, well played and well written. Heston as serious soldier on off beat mission. Ilsa Martinelli (far from plains of Africa) as love interest, but not so lovely as big chested actress who plays her sister. Harry Guardino in yet another GI role. Barry Fitzgerald even more typecast as Irish priest. Good character actors for kid and bumptious dad. Great bit by Randolph Anders as Werhmacht Oberst. Worth looking for. Couldn't help comparing this "war" movie with Band of Brothers.