Rocco and His Brothers (re-release) 2002

As the somber reality of their father’s passing settles over them, Rocco Parondi (along with his mother Rosaria and three brothers: Simone, Ciro, and Luca) embarks on a journey from their humble rural Italian home in Lucania to the bustling metropolis of Milan. Initially seeking refuge with eldest brother Vincenzo in the suburb of Lambrate, they are instead relegated to an uninviting basement, the consequences of Ginetta’s family disapproving of the unschooled and jobless southerners. With Ginetta soon becoming pregnant by Vincenzo and their marriage ensuing, the Parondi clan is left to fend for themselves.

Simone, the second eldest, finds himself struggling to adapt to urban life, his attempts at self-improvement marked by an ill-fated infatuation with Nadia, a prostitute who goads him into pursuing a career in boxing, a path encouraged by his mother as well. Though he falls deeply for Nadia and demands more from their relationship than mere casual encounters, she ultimately rejects him after discovering the stolen goods he had pilfered on behalf of Rocco’s boss.

Rocco, meanwhile, is summoned to military service, only to reencounter Nadia upon nearing the end of his enlistment. Her recent release from prison for prostitution notwithstanding, her renewed sense of purpose stems from the innocence and purity of heart emanating from Rocco, inspiring her to renounce her former life and commit to an exclusive relationship with him. However, Simone’s discovery of this development sparks a brutal backlash as he assaults Rocco and Nadia with his cohorts, rendering Nadia the victim of a horrific act of violence intended to “teach Rocco a lesson”. The subsequent break-up between Rocco and Nadia serves only to hasten her eventual return to Simone, though it is clear she does so solely to accelerate his downfall.

In contrast, Ciro, the second-youngest brother, finds solace in night school and secures steady employment at Alfa Romeo. His unwavering dedication to supporting his family’s endeavors in their new surroundings is matched only by his engagement to a local woman from a respected family.

Rocco’s inherent selflessness often comes at the expense of his own contentment, as he consistently prioritizes the well-being of his family members above his own desires. This is exemplified by his repeated cover-ups for Simone, including the time he returned the stolen jewelry to avoid causing trouble for his brother or when he signed a ten-year boxing contract to settle Simone’s debts, which had been incurred in questionable circumstances, such as the instance where Simone robbed a homosexual man under compromising conditions.

As Rocco prepares to face off in a championship bout, Simone visits Nadia, who has returned to her old profession of prostitution, near the picturesque Ponte della Ghisolfa. In a fit of rage, Simone kills Nadia after she reveals how much she despises him. Meanwhile, Rocco emerges victorious from his fight and during the celebratory gathering with his family, he expresses a deep longing to return to their ancestral home in Lucania. His mother echoes this sentiment, stating that she misses having all her sons together under one roof.

Just as the festivities are reaching a fever pitch, Simone appears, drenched in blood, and confesses to Nadia’s murder. Rocco is torn between his anguish over Simone’s actions and his unwavering desire to protect him. However, Ciro refuses to go along with this decision and leaves to alert the authorities.

The youngest sibling, Luca, has been quietly observing the events unfold around him. When he visits Ciro at work to share the news that Simone has been apprehended and to extend an invitation for dinner, he expresses a desire to return south with Rocco. Ciro responds by cautioning that he doubts Rocco will ever make it back, and that even if Luca does manage to return, he will not find things as they once were, due to the inevitable march of progress. While many people fear the consequences of change, Ciro remains optimistic, believing that Luca will lead a more fulfilling life because of these changes.

As Luca walks away from their conversation, he stumbles upon a newspaper stand and is struck by Rocco’s image in an article highlighting his upcoming fights in cities far-flung from their homeland.