Winner of the Cannes Grand Prize Winner in 1946, Roberto Rossellini's seminal Rome, Open City was filmed in the aftermath of World War II on the ravaged streets of Italy. Due to the scarcities of War, scraps of film from photographers were added to hand held camerawork, natural lighting and a cast of non-actors to create this frank and gritty tale of war torn Italy in a perfect example of a neo-realist film. Rossellini himself had been hiding from the Nazis in the Rome prior to Italy's surrender, and brings all of his person experience to the screen in this classic piece of cinema.

Described by Martin Scorsese as 'the most precious moment of film history', Rome, Open City is based on real events that took place in Nazi-occupied Italy in 1944, and examines the difficult choices that people were forced to make during WW II. Centring on the Italian Resistance movement and its members, this is a tragic tale of the effects of war on the human spirit.

Rome, Open City: Special Edition will be released on UK DVD on 15th March 2010 by Arrow Films at the RRP of £15.99. The following extra features will be included:

• A special commentary by Academic Peter Bonadellas;
• The Children of Rome Open City Documentary – a real insight into the hardships of living in Rome after WW2;
• A never-before-seen documentary about the life and work of Rome Open City Director Roberto Rosellini;
• Archive footage of some original WW2 Theatre Broadcasts.