Il disertore (1983): Besetzung, Handlung & Streaming

Released in 1983, Il disertore is a drama and krieg film directed by Giuliana Berlinguer, running about 92 minutes.

What it’s about. In this tragic story that has an unrealized potential to tug at the emotions, a woman in mourning for her two sons lost in World War I is the only one in her village determined to financially support a war memorial. The village poor have too little money, and the richer are tight-fisted. She has given a whole 15 years of savings -- yet the good priest, for whom she works as a maid, is not enthusiastic about her action because he is worried that the memorial will not remind the villagers of past horrors and suffering but disguise the human cost of war in rhetoric. As the memorial's advocates begin to sustain the day, flashbacks show how the woman's youngest son shot his captain, deserted the army, and came to die of fever while in his mother's care. The priest helped her as much as possible, yet he feels compelled to tell the authorities that her son was a deserter.

Who’s in it. Il disertore stars Isella Orchis, Irene Papas as Mariangela, Mattia Sbragia as Saverio and Omero Antonutti as Father Coi.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Il disertore page.

If you liked it. Fans of Il disertore tend to enjoy Die Verurteilten, Der Pate, Schindlers Liste and Der Pate - Teil II.