Mussolini: The Untold Story
Mussolini: The Untold Story is a television biographical miniseries drama that aired in November 1985. The series followed the rise, rule, and downfall of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini played by US actor George C. Scott. Similar to Hitler: The Rise of Evil, the miniseries is spoken in English instead of the titular character's native language.
| Mussolini: The Untold Story | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | William A. Graham |
| Starring | George C. Scott Lee Grant Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Gabriel Byrne Raul Julia Virginia Madsen Robert Downey Jr. |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom / US |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Bernard Sofronski |
| Running time | 6 h 50 m |
| Release | |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 24 November 1985 |
Mussolini's private life features prominently in the series, including his long-term romance with his mistress Clara Petacci (played by Virginia Madsen).
The series begins in 1922, as Mussolini gathers his power through the use of his Black Shirt militia. Promoting himself as Julius Caesar reincarnate, Il Duce gains a national fervor that peaks after the Italian invasion of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935. In 1938, Mussolini attempted to promote peace at the Munich Conference. Nonetheless, he aligned himself with Adolf Hitler. Mussolini drew Italy into World War II, which led to his country's decline, Mussolini's fall from power, and eventual roadside execution of Mussolini and Petacci.
The Series was Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.