Film Culture (Winter 1963-64)

German radio transmission set and other wireless equipment up into the boat, and finally climbs aboard himself. The canoe takes off immediately and quickly speeds away, followed by the other boats. Exterior. A high embankment. (Day) Approaching from the background, the boats come heading speedily towards the shore. They are lined up in single file formation as if in preparation for an attack. Coming ashore in unison, they all jump out into the shallow water and start rushing inland. Dale is in the lead. Each partisan drags his own boat up on the bank. The terrain here is slightly more dry and less flat. Here and there are patches of vegetation. Dale, who is standing alongside Dan and one of the partisans, gives the signal for a break so that the men can have a brief rest now that they are in a somewhat safer position. Dale: (pointing to small, narrow canal) Take the boats over there; set the radio up in that ravine. Responding to his orders, the partisans and Dan take off. The two soldiers from San Marco take up their position in the ravine behind the bushes and start setting up their radio equipment. The radio operator opens the satchel and placing the earphones over his head, begins to send a message. Partisan: Hide the boats in the canal. And keep down! Keep down! Dale is following behind Dan. The young lad’s face is contracted with pain. Dale: How are you feeling? Dan: I feel a little bit better. Dale: Then take two men with you and post yourself behind those houses out there! I’m going the other way to see if I can find us something to eat. Dan walks over to where a small group of partisans are standing and points to two of them. Dan: You and you, come with me! Obeying his command, the two partisans get in line behind Dan, and crouching down low they start running towards the assigned group of houses. Exterior. Maddatena’s house. (Day) Cigolani and Dale appear, coming out of high grass. Dale stops and looks around. They are in front of a small country house. Cigolani takes his rifle off his shoulder and hands it to Dale. Dale takes his revolver out of his belt and hands it over to Cigolani who quickly slips it into his jacket. Then he walks over to the little house that rises up like an island out of an ocean of swampland and small canals. Interior. Maddalena’s house. (Day) It is the interior of a poor fisherman’s home. A number of men are seated around at the table. Hovering near the fireplace is a woman carrying an infant in her arms. A whistling signal is heard outside. One of the men goes to the door. He stops and turns around, facing the interior. Man: That’s Cigolani! He opens the door. Cigolani enters. They. all rise to greet him. Cigolani comes over to the table, and placing both hands palms down on the table, he leans over, and asks: Cigolani: Anything new? Man: Two Germans came by here yesterday. Cigolani twirls his hand in the air in a gesture of contempt. Cigolani: Let ’em search all they want! You know, there are some Americans hiding in the area. And for three days they haven’t been able to light any fire for fear the Germans might see the smoke! And they’re hunting for them like mad! Man: They searched everywhere. Cigolani: Have you got anything you can give me to eat? Host: We have a little polenta. The woman who was hovering near the fireplace takes note of Cigolani. Woman: And I can fry you some bisatti! Cigolani: That’s fine! I have an American outside with me, a good friend. May I ask him in? Man: Sure. Cigolani goes to the door and they all follow after him. He signals to Dale who starts walking up to the house. They are all there waiting for him as he approaches the front of the house, and then everybody enters. Dale takes off his trench coat and turns to the infant who is crying in the woman’s arms. He looks down into its face. Dale: This baby’s full of mosquito bites! I have something for him. He takes out a small bottle from his pocket and hands it to the woman. Dale: On his arms, his face, but be careful not to get it in his eyes! FILM CULTURE 63