Everybody Go Home!

Set in the immediate aftermath of the Cassibile Armistice (September 8, 1943), the film follows soldiers and civilians as Italy spirals into chaos. The narrative spans the peninsula—from the countryside to Naples—amid German rearguard actions, Allied advances, and growing partisan activity. The period is defined by occupation, reprisals, and shifting loyalties as people try to go home.

The story unfolds along the Italian boot, beginning on the Venetian coast and moving south through towns scarred by the German occupation. It crosses Cassibile, where the armistice is announced, and tracks the journey toward Littoria (Latina) and Naples, capturing a country torn between surrender, resistance, and survival. The settings range from rural homes to roadblocks and conflict zones under occupation.

⚔️ War and Survival

The film portrays how ordinary soldiers and civilians adapt to total upheaval after Italy’s armistice. Hunger, danger, and constant threat force quick moral compromises and pragmatic decisions to stay alive. The harsh realism of daily life under occupation underscores how the line between duty and self-preservation blurs in wartime Italy.

🤝 Loyalty and Friendship

Innocenzi and Ceccarelli must rely on each other, and even when competing realities tempt them to abandon companions, their bond endures. Fornaciari's family also offers shelter and protection, highlighting the personal dimension of loyalty. The journey tests who they trust and what they’re willing to sacrifice for the group.

🕯️ Moral Dilemma

Characters face temptations that test their integrity: aiding a smuggler, hiding or exploiting a POW, and deciding whether to help a friend at risk. Fear and desperation shape choices, revealing the fragility of ideals in war. The film questions whether survival justifies questionable acts, or if steadfast ethics can still guide action.