Italian movies about Italian history are the best! The cast of this movie was chosen from throughout Europe, from France to Russia, many of them actors and directors in their own name. Viewers who adore films where soldiers are drugged and immune to their actions, those are the viewers who will be shocked by how war was conducted only a few hundred years ago. No doubt they will interpret passionate emotions as over- acting. Killing another man requires a powerful will in men who wish for peace. Desiring freedom is a part of human nature in most cultures and gives meaning to life for men, women and children. This is a movie for rebels, who value life and liberty. The horrors of war on those who are on the receiving end of preemptive attacks are eloquently shown. Iraqi, Arabian, Greek, Turk, Spanish, Afghani, or in the Americas -change the nationality of the Milanese to any nationality and the pathos (suffering) of human beings is the same. The best version is in Italian, so for those who cannot understand Italian or find a version with English subtitles - the English dubbed version is the presentation of less quality; but well worth a watch.