The Assisi Underground (film)

The Assisi Underground is a 1985 American historical drama film directed by Alexander Ramati and starring Ben Cross, James Mason, and Irene Papas. The film is based on the book of the same name, also by Ramati, which recounts the true story of Father Rufino Niccacci, a Franciscan priest who, along with Bishop Giuseppe Placido Nicolini, sheltered and saved hundreds of Jewish refugees in Assisi, Italy, during World War II.

The film portrays Niccacci's efforts to conceal Jewish families in monasteries, convents, and private homes throughout Assisi, using forged documents and elaborate schemes to protect them from the Nazis. It highlights the courage and compassion of the local population who risked their lives to aid those persecuted by the Nazi regime. The film explores the moral dilemmas faced by Niccacci and his collaborators as they navigated the dangers of wartime Italy while striving to uphold their humanitarian ideals.

While generally praised for its portrayal of courage and compassion, the film has also received some criticism regarding its historical accuracy and dramatic license.