Notte di San Lorenzo, La (The Night of San Lorenzo)

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It's the night of Saint Lawrence,

my love...

the night of the shooting stars.

We Tuscans say that each shooting star

grants a wish.

Don't sleep yet.

What I wish tonight...

is to find the words to tell you...

about another night of Saint Lawrence,

many years ago.

THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS

I'm very happy

to have performed this marriage...

because Belindia is expecting a child.

And you were both living in sin.

God only knows what's in store for us.

It's such a big risk to be here.

You're all dressed up,

and the Americans are nearby...

while the Germans are still here.

Get going.

No. I must tell you one thing.

If the Day of Wrath, the Dies Irae...

the end of the world...

is near...

and it is always near...

our duty, yours and mine...

is to survive.

You understand?

Let us pray.

At that time, I was only 6 years old.

I didn't know

whether I was afraid or fascinated.

Everything in those days

was so unusual.

My daughter can't leave like that.

- Let's go.

- She can't leave like that.

This poor daughter of mine.

What are you doing, Papa?

I want to celebrate this day, child.

We must all honor her...

my devil of a daughter.

Let me.

Here, pass it along.

I could go to the cabin.

Here is a slice for Ulivo.

Come here.

You're back, Nicola!

We jumped off the train,

but I fell badly.

Oh, sh*t.

- This is Bruno.

- Nice to meet you.

What are you guys going to do?

He's going to Palaia.

But Palaia is that way.

He wants to take me to San Martino.

But the Germans have mined it.

What about my home?

Green crosses show

which houses will blow up.

I don't know about your house.

There's enough for you, too.

She's my wife. We were just married.

Hektor smiled...

as did Andromache.

Tenderly, the hero coddled his son...

and lifting him towards

the heavens, exclaimed:

"O merciful Zeus and all ye gods...

"allow this son of mine...

"to become preeminent...

"among the Trojans, and valiant in might.

"And when he returneth home

from battle...

"let men say,

'His father was never greater...

"and may his mother rejoice in that'."

Hektor!

Hektor placed his son

in his bride's arms...

and, moved by both laughter and tears...

she had him suckle her fragrant breast.

To you, Ulitto!

- Nicola!

- Nicola!

Come with me. Come.

No, this way is better.

You saw the cross?

The house has been mined.

We're hiding in the Miglioratis' cellar.

Anna saw you come.

Keep him here.

I'm going to check outside.

Those clothes!

When will it happen?

Don't know.

I'm glad the house will blow up.

If it does, we'll all move to Florence.

Yeah, Florence.

I'm sorry.

Don't ever tell Papa!

I am fine.

I am fine.

Come on, let us help you.

I'm fine.

Hello, Nicola.

Please.

Send them away.

I think the Americans are coming.

Wake up.

The Americans?

Galvano, the crank.

You'd better stop, sir.

They really believe it.

Should I?

You dumb fool, you!

I see them!

I never thought,

but you should have known.

They'll never forgive us.

Never.

Who's there?

It's me, ma'am.

Where are you going?

I'm going to pee.

You shouldn't play such jokes.

Not like that!

Good morning.

The Germans have summoned me.

The Americans are closing in.

They've landed at Montechiari.

Did you hear the cannons?

Last night a bomb hit the washhouse.

Therefore, by sundown...

you must all be at the cathedral.

Call my wife and wait below.

The Germans have ordered us all

to gather in one place.

I suggested the cathedral.

The piazza has not been mined.

Wait.

The Germans will shoot anyone on sight...

who is found outside the cathedral.

Tonight at 3:
00 a.m., they'll blow up

all the houses they've mined.

Papa.

Duilio and Nicola can't go

to the cathedral.

They're deserters.

My house will be the first to go!

They'll blow them up at 3:00 a.m.

Mine will be first!

Give out the remaining food.

Bread and tomatoes.

Who knows how long

we'll be in the cathedral?

Go close the door.

I'm sorry about that joke yesterday.

We couldn't care less.

- Until tonight.

- Until tonight.

Donati from Montopoli?

From Montopoli, yes.

I stayed at your father's house once.

He and I were friends.

I'm Galvano Galvani.

When you visited us, it was...

snowing.

You were 13 then.

I recognized you.

How's everything?

Is the cathedral a good idea?

What a question!

These days,

who can tell what's good or bad?

I thought it out.

I thought it out.

When it's dark,

I'm going to look for the Americans.

I don't trust the Germans.

Don't you trust our bishop?

I thought about that, sir.

But a German was killed here

the other day.

Nobody knows who did it...

and the Germans are vindictive.

Starting tomorrow, they'll shoot anyone,

young and old alike.

Death is everywhere these days.

I've made my decision.

If anyone else agrees, we'll go together.

Wear dark clothes. We go by night.

Not the dogs.

They make noise.

We'll have to leave them behind.

I hadn't thought of that.

Mama's coming with us.

And me? With whom do I go?

The sun will set in five minutes!

Wait.

Wait a minute.

First we eat.

Why not later, by the washhouse?

You're eating now?

We'll have to start out very quickly,

without stopping.

In the past days, they didn't eat much.

Need some strength.

- Let's go.

- Let's go.

Forgive us.

Forgive us. We are such fools.

We are scared.

Forgive us. We are scared.

We are such fools.

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