Rossellini's masterpiece, described by Martin Scorsese as 'the most precious moment of film history', was awarded the Grand Prix (forerunner of the Palme d'Or) at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival. Returning to the big screen in a new digital restoration based on the original negatives, Rome Open City is a landmark of Italian neorealism often described as one of the greatest films ever made. Shot under extremely difficult circumstances at the end of WWII, it documents the Nazi occupation of Rome and the bravery of the Italian resistance. Aldo Fabrizi stars as a priest helping the partisan cause due to marry resistance leader Giorgio (Marcello Pagliero) and his pregnant fiancée Pina (Anna Magnani). When Giorgio's ex-girlfriend betrays him and his fellow fighters to the Gestapo in order to get her hands on some luxury goods it's not long before the Nazis capture them: will they crack or keep their silence? Rossellini began filming in secret and many of his crew had been active members of the resistance, which explains how the film is such a shockingly authentic experience. Marking a watershed moment in Italian cinema, this galvanic work scooped awards around the globe, leaving the beginnings of a new film movement in its wake.

Tickets: £5.50 full / £4.00 concessions and get £1.00 off all meal orders £7.00 or over in the Café/Bar on the same day with your ticket. See our full range of menus here.

Conversations About Cinema: Impact of Conflict

Last year's commemoration of the start of World War I was cause for reflection on the scale and impact of that war and the immense global repercussions which still ripple 100 years later. The impact of a war, any war, is not confined to its dates, but goes far wider, far deeper, across people, society, places and politics. Impact of Conflict is a new strand where we will explore these effects through screenings, events and publishing - it is all about the opportunity for you to share your responses.

As an audience member we are interested in how these older films have resonated with you today. Do they raise issues which relate to 2015 or are they simple interesting historical artefacts? You can join the discussion by posting your thoughts on our noticeboard or tweeting using #convocinema or @wshed.

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