Lo sbarco di Anzio / Anzio

Anzio is a 1968 Italian–American co-production about Operation Shingle, the 1944 Allied seaborne assault on the Italian port of Anzio in World War II. It was adapted from the 1961 book Anzio by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas (1908-1987), who had been the BBC war correspondent at the battle. The film follows American soldiers as they land unopposed on Italian beaches, with the intention of reaching Rome. But instead of moving inland and north to Rome their commanding officer decides to dig in. A battle-hardened war correspondent borrows a jeep and driver and drives to Rome and back encountering no significant German forces. The report on the absence of the enemy is discounted as the general is concerned about having the strength to hold Anzio and support the offensive. By the time it is finally decided to make a move the Germans have arrived in strength. A US Ranger assault on Cisterna is ambushed with most of the forces killed or captured. A small group of survivors, including the war correspondent, struggle to make their way back to Anzio and report on the German defenses. The film was made in Italy with an Italian film crew and produced by Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis; however, none of the main cast were Italian, nor were there any major Italian characters.