The Roof

The Roof

Year: 1956

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Drama

Under an old provincial Italian ordinance, a building cannot be evicted once its roof is in place. The comedy centers on a frantic family race against time, trying to raise a roof on a house overnight so a newlywed couple can finally claim their own home, leading to a cascade of humorous mishaps and inventive solutions.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Roof (1956)

Trace every key event in The Roof (1956) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Marriage and crowded Rome life

Natale, a bricklayer's apprentice, marries Luisa and they move into a crowded apartment with Natale's parents and several relatives. The cramped space reflects the harsh realities of postwar poverty in the early 1950s. Their daily life is defined by shared rooms, constant noise, and the struggle for privacy.

early 1950s Rome, inside a crowded family apartment
2

A quarrel forces them to leave

A quarrel drives Natale and Luisa to depart the family home with little more than hope and few belongings. They step into an uncertain urban landscape, unsure where they will sleep that night. The moment launches the central quest for a place to live.

early 1950s Rome
3

Search for housing begins

The couple commits to finding shelter, and the film follows their relentless search through Rome's housing market and informal options. They confront scarcity, bureaucracy, and the constant threat of eviction. Their determination to secure a roof over their heads becomes the through-line of the story.

early 1950s Rome
4

Plan to build a makeshift home overnight

Natale organizes his co-workers to help build a one-room brick dwelling on unused railway land on the outskirts of Rome. The project is carried out largely at night to avoid attention and eviction. The act turns labor into a temporary lifeline for the couple.

overnight Unused railway land on the outskirts of Rome
5

Relying on a legal loophole

The plan leans on the rule that a dwelling with a door and a roof cannot be evicted, giving them guarded hope despite the illegality. The optimism is tempered by the risk that the shelter could be dismantled at any moment. The couple prepares to persevere under precarious circumstances.

night Railway land outskirts of Rome
6

Dawn eviction attempt

At dawn, police arrive to remove the squat. The structure is nearly finished, with only part of the roof incomplete. The moment tests their resolve and the authorities' willingness to enforce the law.

dawn Railway land outskirts of Rome
7

Humane policeman intervenes

A compassionate policeman looks the other way, granting them a temporary reprieve. This act buys them time to continue work on their shelter and to hope for a more stable future. The scene underscores the film's humane neorealist tone.

immediately after dawn Railway land outskirts of Rome
8

Luisa's pregnancy adds urgency

Luisa discovers she is pregnant, which heightens the couple's urgency and stakes. The new life inside her makes the dream of a home feel more tangible and more urgent. They press on despite the legal and financial risks.

shortly after dawn On the makeshift dwelling on the railway land
9

The shelter stands as a symbol of resilience

The completed dwelling, though not fully sealed, stands as a symbol of resilience and communal effort. The film shows how ordinary people pull together to create a space that offers hope in a harsh world. The scene marks a turning point in their fight for basic security.

morning following construction Railway land outskirts of Rome
10

Reality catches up: financial risk and possible imprisonment

Even with a roof, the couple remains in financial straits and faces the possibility of imprisonment later if circumstances worsen. The ending maintains a note of realism, acknowledging ongoing challenges ahead. The 'happy ending' is tempered by future uncertainty.

unspecified future Rome outskirts

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:44

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The Roof Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Roof

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