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The Pigeon That Took Rome

Play trailer The Pigeon That Took Rome Released Jun 20, 1962 1h 41m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tasked with transmitting reports to Allied soldiers elsewhere in Europe, spies Capt. Paul MacDougall (Charlton Heston) and Sgt. Joseph Contini (Harry Guardino) go to Italy during World War II. The men send their reports with carrier pigeons, and this efficient system allows them time to woo sisters Antonella (Elsa Martinelli) and Rosalba Massimo (Gabriella Pallotta). But when the girls' father cooks most of the birds for dinner, the Americans' airborne delivery system is jeopardized.

Audience Reviews

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steve d Unfunny film that offers absolutely no fun for the viewer. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Slight but enjoyable bit of nonsense could have used a trim here and there but is overall a nice little time passer. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A surprsingly good enjoyable movie in the WW2 settings. Charlton Heston is a captain who prefers to fight it out in the open dirty zone. One day he got tasked to head to Italy to collect information. Pairing with him is a Sergeant Harry Guardino who can speak italian. Over in Italy, there's an old man Baccaloni who will provide them coverage. The duo first visit to his house wasn't welcome by his daughter Elsa Martinelli (a real beauty) who complains of poverty and hunger and the never ending war and fake promise by the allies. She calls the duo pigs who eats alot of their food. The 2nd daughter Gabriella Pallotta came home with news of been pregnant to an american soldier. Elsa make use of this chance to sort of trying to make the duo likes her. Gradually Harry falls in love with her. Their radio signal was intercepted by the germans and its hard for them to send out any info back to USA hq. So the use of carrier pigeons was implement. The pigeons were kept in the rooftop. Harry decides to marry Gabriella and the sisters wish for a nice feast since its Easter soon but its hard to get meat. Secretly Elsa stole the pigeons and cooks them for the feast. Baccaloni almost couldn't make it after hearing the news. The youngest son Marietto went to the germans site and stole their pigeons. When the duo were sending out the message, those pigeons flew back to the original place and the germans found out about allies within the country. And the colonel orders to catch anyone with pigeons. The next time, the duo sent fake and misleading messages about their internal upstage and time to move in, one of the pigeons flew back to USA. Baccaloni got caught soon and they decides to save him. At the checkpoint, Charlton pretends to be a doctor and coincidentally a lady is about to give birth and they have to stay. When the german colonel receive the fake message, he thought it was by another officer who wants to take over his position. He immediately cancel the order and have Baccaloni release. Just a few hours later, the allies began the attack on the germans and drove them out of Italy. Harry & Gabriella wedding ceremony at the church was quick to end because she is about to give birth. Charlton is going back to his original posting. The pigeon was going to get a medal from the president himself ! Guess the fake message was a blessing in disguise. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pigeon That Took Rome

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Tasked with transmitting reports to Allied soldiers elsewhere in Europe, spies Capt. Paul MacDougall (Charlton Heston) and Sgt. Joseph Contini (Harry Guardino) go to Italy during World War II. The men send their reports with carrier pigeons, and this efficient system allows them time to woo sisters Antonella (Elsa Martinelli) and Rosalba Massimo (Gabriella Pallotta). But when the girls' father cooks most of the birds for dinner, the Americans' airborne delivery system is jeopardized.
Director
Melville Shavelson
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 20, 1962, Original
Runtime
1h 41m