The Scarlet And The Black (1983)

Set in Rome during WWII, an Irish priest (Gregory Peck) working in the Vatican devotes his time and energy to hiding refugees and Allied POWs from the occupying Nazis. The local gestapo head (Christopher Plummer) suspects the priest of heading the network that has hundreds of people helping him with his efforts. Based on the non fiction book THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL OF THE VATICAN by J.P. Gallagher and directed by Jerry London (SHOGUN). Based on an incredible true story, the film takes artistic liberties when dealing with the facts. Notably, the whitewashing of Pope Pius XII (John Gielgud) who was criticized for not taking a stronger anti Nazi stance. For what it is, it's no SCHINDLER'S LIST but a solid effort and never less than interesting even if its execution is pedestrian. The suitable score is by Ennio Morricone. With Raf Vallone, Barbara Bouchet, Gabriele Ferzetti, Michael Byrne, Walter Gotell, T.P McKenna, Edmund Purdom, Vernon Dobtcheff and Olga Karlatos.