Once More Unto the Breach (2019)

Once More Unto the Breach (2019) is an emotionally charged journey through time, war, and the haunting power of memory. Romano Ismani, a once ruthless soldier, finds himself caught in the throes of past and present, with the chilling specters of the 1935-1936 Ethiopian War that propelled his rise in the fascist ranks incessantly haunting him. Born of Russian heritage, Romano's ascent was a battle against both enemies and suspicions regarding his origins. 1941 marks a significant turn in Romano's life as Italy, following Nazi Germany, declares war on his maternal homeland, the Soviet Union. His linguistic prowess in Russian becomes an asset, making him one of the few who could communicate with enemy prisoners and locals. Romano embarks on a journey to the Soviet Union, initially imbued with the illusion of victory. However, the vast plains of the Ukraine and the intensifying warfare shatter his certainty, leaving him grappling with the gruesome memories of the Ethiopian massacre and the once comforting Russian fairy-tales his mother narrated. As Romano's role transitions from soldier to interpreter, the grim realities of war and the whisperings of locals and prisoners extinguish his last flicker of hope. The chilling realization of an impending winter and the absence of an "easy" victory weigh heavily on him. In a desperate bid to escape his fate, Romano chooses desertion, ultimately disappearing like countless others into the frosty embrace of the Ukrainian winter. Fast forward seventy years, the same plains of Ukraine bear witness to conflict once again, unearthing old wounds and echoing past horrors. Once More Unto the Breach weaves a poignant tale of war and its lingering echoes, a haunting dance between past and present, and the indomitable spirit of humanity caught amidst the cruelties of fate.

Once More Unto the Breach is a drama movie featuring Italo Balbo and directed by Federico Ferrone.

Once More Unto the Breach is currently streaming on DocAlliance Films and History Vault.

It is also possible to rent Once More Unto the Breach on DocAlliance Films.