A Bell for Adano (1945)

A Bell for Adano (1945)

„A Bell for Adano“ is a 1945 Black & White war film directed by Henry King. The screenplay by Lamar Trotti and Norman Reilly Raine is based on the 1941 novel of the same name by John Hersey.

In the waning days of World War II, Italian-American Maj. Victor P. Joppolo is appointed military governor of the small Sicilian town of Adano, since its mayor and other Fascist government officials fled. Zoppolo is greeted by Zito and Giuseppe, who lament the loss of their beloved church bell that was taken at the start of the war to be melted for weapons. Father Pensovecchio explains that the peals of the 700-year-old bell regulated the daily rhythms of life in the village.

The major wins the respect of the townspeople when he mandates that government officials will have no special privileges in the bread lines. To secure food for the village, Joppolo asks to see Tomasino, the town’s stubborn fishing chief, who is suspicious Joppolo will impose a tax on his catch until the major convinces him he only wants to feed the people of Adano.

With the help of Lt. Crofts Livingstone, a naval officer, Tomasino and his fleet are soon trolling the waters once more. In gratitude, the fishermen send Tina, Tomasino’s attractive blonde daughter, to invite Joppolo to dinner.

Joppolo’s commanding officer, Major General McKay, orders the main road to Adano to be cleared of all mule carts and civilian vehicles to make room for military convoys. The villagers plead that they will perish unless they are allowed to transport food and water into town. Touched by their plight, the major countermands the order over the objections of Capt. N. Purvis, who report Joppolo’s insubordination to the Provost Marshall, Col. W.W. Middleton.

Joppolo’s request for a replacement bell is denied. Livingstone’s friend, Commander Robertson, recalls a bell on a destroyer commanded by an old shipmate.

Tina asks Joppolo to find out about the status of her soldier sweetheart. Sensing that the major has fallen in love with her, Tina suggests that his desire for her is fueled by his longing for his wife.

Robertson delivers to Adano an impressive new bell. As the town rejoices, a cable arrives from Middleton, notifying Joppolo that he has been relieved of duty. Later, in his office, the villagers unveil a portrait of Joppolo. Joppolo finds solace in a final dance with Tina, and the next morning, as the bell tolls for the first time, he leaves town, unable to bid farewell to his friends.

Cast:

• Gene Tierney – Tina Tomasino
• John Hodiak – Maj. Victor P. Joppolo
• William Bendix – Sgt. Borth
• Glenn Langan – Lt. Crofts Livingstone, USN
• Richard Conte – Nicolo, Italian POW
• Stanley Prager – Sgt. Trampani
• Harry Morgan – Capt. N. Purvis
• Monty Banks – Giuseppe
• Reed Hadley – Cmdr. Robertson
• Roy Roberts – Col. W.W. Middleton, Provost Marshal
• Hugo Haas – Father Pensovecchio
• Marcel Dalio – Zito
• Fortunio Bonanova – Gargano, Chief of Police
• Henry Armetta – Errante, Cart Man
• Roman Bohnen – Carl Erba, Cart Man
• Luis Alberni – Cacopardo
• Eduardo Ciannelli – Maj. Nasta
• Mimi Aguglia – Rosa Tomasino
• John Bagni – Priest
• Attilio Barbato – Soldier
• Ray Barons – Soldier
• Valeria Caravacci – Italian Woman
• Harry Carter – NCO
• Helen Ciancaglini – Soldier’s Wife
• Gino Corrado – Zapulla
• Franco Corsaro – Soldier
• Elvira Curci – Italian Woman
• Peter Cusanelli – Craxi
• Anna Demetrio – Rosa
• Earl Easton – Boy Violinist
• William Edmunds – Tomasino, Fisherman
• Antonio Filauri – Italian Man
• Russell Hoyt – Soldier
• Eddie Hyans – Military Policeman
• Frank Jaquet – Basile
• Ted Jordan – Soldier
• Charles Judels – Afronti
• Shirley Karnes – Soldier’s Wife
• Serge Krizman – Soldier
• Charles La Torre – Mercurio Salvatore
• Frank Lackteen – Photographer
• Connie Leon – Italian Woman
• Cecilia Meagher – Woman Holding Baby
• Chef Milani – Capello
• Marie Monteil – Soldier’s Wife
• Edward Mundy – Emaciated Man
• Rita Nardi – Italian Woman
• Inez Palange – Italian Woman
• Guy Pharis – Soldier
• Nino Pipitone Jr. – Boy
• Mario Pirrone – Soldier
• Eva Puig – Woman
• Rudy Rama – Italian Man
• James Rennie – Lt. Col. Sartorius
• Jerry Riggio – Soldier
• Julian Rivero – Peasant
• John Russell – Capt. Anderson
• Hector V. Sarno – Townsman
• Alexander Sascha – Italian Man
• Grady Sutton – Pfc. Edward, Algiers Mail Clerk
• Nick Thompson – Italian Man
• Teresa Tirelli – Italian Woman
• Minerva Urecal – Italian Woman
• Yvonne Vautrot – Francesca Tomasino
• Annina Verrone – Italian Woman
• Minor Watson – Maj. Gen. McKay

„A Bell for Adano“ (Eine Glocke für Adano) ist ein Kriegsfilm in Schwarz-Weiß aus dem Jahr 1945 unter der Regie von Henry King. Das Drehbuch von Lamar Trotti und Norman Reilly Raine basiert auf dem gleichnamigen Roman von John Hersey aus dem Jahr 1941.

In den letzten Tagen des Zweiten Weltkriegs wird der italienisch-amerikanische Major Victor P. Joppolo zum Militärgouverneur der kleinen sizilianischen Stadt Adano ernannt, da der Bürgermeister und andere faschistische Regierungsbeamte geflohen sind. Zoppolo wird von Zito und Giuseppe begrüßt, die den Verlust ihrer geliebten Kirchenglocke beklagen, die zu Beginn des Krieges entwendet wurde, um sie für Waffen einzuschmelzen. Vater Pensovecchio erklärt, dass das Läuten der 700 Jahre alten Glocke den täglichen Lebensrhythmus des Dorfes bestimmte.

Der Bürgermeister gewinnt den Respekt der Dorfbewohner, als er anordnet, dass Regierungsbeamte keine besonderen Privilegien bei der Brotausgabe genießen dürfen. Um die Versorgung des Dorfes mit Lebensmitteln zu sichern, bittet Joppolo um ein Treffen mit Tomasino, dem hartnäckigen Fischereichef der Stadt, der misstrauisch ist, dass Joppolo eine Steuer auf seinen Fang erheben will, bis der Major ihn davon überzeugt, dass er nur die Menschen in Adano ernähren will.