The Fifth Day of Peace

The 1970 movie, The Fifth Day of Peace is a captivating, enigmatic, and thought-provoking war-drama directed by Giuliano Montaldo with a star-studded cast including the likes of Bud Spencer, Franco Nero, and Richard Johnson. Set in the backdrop of the concluding days of World War II, this movie stimulates an intense exploration of human evils and virtues under the challenges brought by the circumstances of war.

The film delves into the investigations of an uncomfortable truth set in a POW camp in Holland, post the end of the war. While the victorious party celebrates their spoils, the prisoners-of-war are confined to a camp, awaiting their fate. Franco Nero, an Italian actor recognized globally for his compelling performances, steps into the role of a scorned Lieutenant who is in charge of these prisoners. The talented Nero delivers a riveting portrayal of a man burdened with power, guilt, and unanswered moral questions. Bud Spencer, often remembered for his roles in action-comedy Spaghetti Westerns, takes a turn to showcasing his prowess in a serious role. He dons the cap of an arrested German general, executed brilliantly with nuanced range and depths.

Unveiling a microcosmic canvas of the aftermath of World War II, the narrative revolves around these two characters, skillfully painting a complex battle of morals versus duties. The film begins when these disparate men are thrown into confrontations catalyzed by their predicament: a dejected group of Nazi soldiers awaiting their impending fate. You might be engaged and entranced by the clever writing that continuously examines the morality of their decisions, the principles that guide them, and the questionable humanity which lurks beneath the surface.

Richard Johnson, a British actor known for his dignified, powerful performances, is introduced as a morally upright doctor working under Nero’s command. He becomes the voice of reason, raising ethical and moral questions that gnaw at the hearts of our key characters throughout the film. He adds a unique perspective, expertly spinning the film into a moral gyre that challenges perceptions about right and wrong.

Montaldo plays brilliantly with light and shadows to create a dramatic visual story fused with a stirring narrative. This is complemented by Ennio Morricone's intense music, which invokes a deeper understanding of the characters' internal strife amidst the brutality of their external world. The Fifth Day of Peace also boasts of a well-executed screenplay that weaves several narrative strands together without losing coherence.

This film offers richly layered characters who are not merely agents propelling the plot, but individuals battling their inner conflicts. Here, no character is black or white; they are fluid and display vulnerabilities, making them more human and more identifiable.

As the 'peace' of wartime concludes, the film examines the chaos that ensues. The title itself, The Fifth Day of Peace, symbolically represents the aftermath of war. Is the end of war really the beginning of peace? Or is it just the dawn of another consequential war – a war within one's mind, struggling with guilt, morality, and forgiveness?

The film is a nuanced exploration of the human spirit struggling to restore peace and order from the ashes of war. It is a far-reaching rumination on the prices paid, both in triumph and defeat, and the lives that are irrevocably altered in the process. The Fifth Day of Peace is not just a movie; it is a cinematic poem that displays the emotional toll and moral dilemmas confronted by mortals amid humanity's darkest hour.

In conclusion, The Fifth Day of Peace from 1970 is a meticulously woven tale of struggle, survival, and redemption featuring riveting performances by Bud Spencer, Franco Nero, and Richard Johnson. If you're a fan of war dramas that delve deeper into human psychology rather than the battlefield, this timeless classic that speaks volumes about the aftermath of wars will surely leave a lasting impression.