Harlem (1943) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1943, Harlem is a drame film directed by Carmine Gallone, running about 113 minutes.

What it’s about. This propaganda film was partly inspired by the story of the first Italian heavyweight champion Primo Carnera who, after winning the title with Al Capone’s help in 1933, was beaten the following year by the Jewish Max Bear and then again by the ‘Brown Bomber’ Detroit Joe Lewis in June 1935, on the eve of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This match provoked numerous racial skirmishes on the streets of Harlem between the Black community and pro-Fascist Italian-Americans. The film overturns historical facts and here, obviously, it is the white boxer who wins in order to demonstrate the superiority of the “Aryan Italians” over the “sinister Jewish entrepreneurs” and the “savage Afro-American fans in Yankee Stadium”. In the film, these were played by South African prisoners-of-war interred in a work camp, which the German and Italian propaganda ministries had set up near Cinecittà “for cinematic purposes”.

Who’s in it. Harlem stars Massimo Girotti as Tommaso Rossi, Amedeo Nazzari as Amedeo Rossi, Vivi Gioi as Muriel and Elisa Cegani as Gangster woman, among others.

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

If you liked it. Fans of Harlem tend to enjoy Les Évadés, Le Parrain, La Liste de Schindler and Le Parrain, 2e partie.