Mussolini and I (Mussolini: The Decline and Fall of Il Duce)

The darkest days of World War II set the backdrop for this epic story about the turbulent life and death of Benito Mussolini (Bob Hoskins), Italy’s fascist dictator known as Il Duce. This compelling, historic drama takes place in war-torn Italy and traces Mussolini’s vacillating relationship with his son-in-law, Count Galeazzo Ciano (Anthony Hopkins), whose anti-Nazi sentiments place him, his family and Il Duce in great jeopardy. Susan Sarandon plays Edda, the spoiled yet passionate daughter of Il Duce, who is torn between her love for her husband and her father. Pressed by his advisors and Germany’s Hitler to rid himself of the rebellious Ciano, Il Duce is forced to sign the order for his son-in-law’s arrest for high treason. But Edda holds Ciano’s incriminating diaries that can spell doom for Il Duce and his fascist cause. This four part factual drama reveals the dictator as a complex but flawed leader – a hero to his people, a traitor to his country and a loving father who allows politics to force him to doom the son-in-law whom he loves dearly. Most telling is the dictator’s admiration of Hitler – the flaw that eventually seals his fate.