M

A solid recommendation from me. I really enjoyed the flow, acting, action, and storytelling. I always find it fascinating how such a destructive force can rise to power-what forces support it, oppose it, and which ones get swayed, and why. The quality of the series is excellent. For me, it belongs in the same league as Der Untergang and Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter.

What makes this series particularly compelling is its exploration of the political landscape in Italy at the time. The power struggles between the socialists, the monarchy, and other factions add layers of intrigue, showing how different forces either resisted or enabled the rise of authoritarianism. The shifting allegiances and moral dilemmas make for gripping storytelling.

On top of that, the action sequences are intense and well-executed. The battles, street clashes, and political confrontations feel raw and realistic, adding weight to the historical events. The choreography, cinematography, and pacing of these scenes keep the tension high, making it a visually and emotionally engaging experience.

I mainly focus on the film aspects. Without getting too deep into it, I try to gauge how much truth versus mystification is presented. I don't align with either the right or the left.

This series is one of the most beautiful I have seen in recent times. Mussolini's dialogue with the camera is pure gold. The way he conveys his thoughts, mocks the viewer, and shares his confessions keeps you glued to the screen and makes you feel involved in the story. Marinelli is fantastic! Those who criticize him likely do so for reasons unrelated to his performance. Francesco Russo is superb, and Barbara Chichiarelli is perfect!

By now it is evident that in the Post-network era and when from the zenith the third Golden Age of Television began its inevitable downward parabola no one, including myself, would have expected such a product... especially an Italian one.

M the son of the century is the classic turn of the century, the breaktrough event or, if you like a film allegory better: it is the hero we need but do not deserve. The future of Our television, it is clear, blatant and unashamed that it will be defined by the 'Before M' and the 'After M'.

Beautiful, beautiful series. Monumental every performance. Ficcanti every dialogue. Generative storytelling from history and brought up to date, without ever becoming exhibitionist. A series one step away from hybris without ever crossing the thin line and, because of this, incredibly verisimilitude in its (deliberate) staging between the theatrical and magical realism.

A possible event, because there is a thick book behind it, not only of volume but also of historical research... but also (oh my God, finally!!!) an adequate budget. It matters little that some images are realistically dated in the staging. It doesn't matter. You want the real date? There's the book but in this instalment it was perfectly there.

A futurist Zang Tumb Tumb series like we've needed for a long time. Because, just like futurism, the last true and pure current of thought and artistic movement that since the publication of its manifesto in 1909 has not found to date a worthy new cultural vision that can be described as truly original and not a rinsing of dishes from other shores. This is M. The first of something else in the making that, los peri pernos, will be even more surprising and innovative.

Zang Tumb Tumb.

The english subtitles are a disaster. They look like automated translations not reviewed by someone who understand italian. For example "Margarita" (the name of a woman) is translated as "margarita pizza". Or "No, no" is translated "ninth", because in italian "nono" means "ninth".

Sometimes these bugs don't help comprehension. They mix up pronouns: "They kick it out" instead of "They kick him out". They don't take into account the formal you that in italian is she. For some complex sentences there is no analysis done by a human : "his husband".

An amateur job done by incompetents.

Such a magnificent work deserves better.

The film presents the beginnings of Benito Musollini's political career. But to a greater extent it is a study of the creation of a dictatorship. And this is a universal and timeless phenomenon.

What is unusual is the form, which may put off some viewers. The main character often speaks directly to the audience, presents his thoughts and comments on the events taking place, sometimes these allusions are current, e.g. In episode four when he says the slogan MIGA (you will understand when you see it). It is a really great scene.

The film is also quite baroque, at times surreal.

The acting makes a great impression. Luca Marinelli (Musollini) behaves on screen like his prototype. If you know the history and have seen Mussolini's grotesque speeches, you can imagine that this required great skills. Other roles, although episodic, are also worth attention. For example, Benedetta Cimatti is great as the suppressed wife of the Duce.

Due to the specific form of the film, some viewers may be put off by it.

But it's a very good movie.