Eternal

Marco listens to Mussolini declare war on England and France at Palazzo Venezia. A senior officer asks him to retrieve a telegraph, and Marco flirts with the female worker who hands him it. Later, he heads to his father’s bar, who advises Marco against celebrating war.

As the war rages on and food grows scarce, Elisabetta and Nonna hold meetings with merchants in Trastevere. Beppe shows up at the meeting. Another merchant shares signs prohibiting Jewish customers, which horrifies Nonna; only she and Beppe don’t take signs. Later, Elisabetta types the meeting notes. Nonna asks when Elisabetta will date or write again.

Sandro and Rosa walk to buy bread from their black-market contact. They discuss their parents and the toll the war has taken on them. Rosa asks about Sandro and Elisabetta, and he dismisses their past relationship. She tells him that they can make their relationship work, regardless of the laws.

Beppe serves Massimo food at a table in the back after Bar GiroSport closes. Now routine, the men discuss the war and how the Simones cope with their reduced circumstances. After Massimo leaves, one of the secret police threatens Beppe, who responds defiantly.

Nonna and Elisabetta share glasses of anisette liqueur, and Nonna asks about Elisabetta’s novel. Elisabetta promises to share it with her, and in her room, finally types her name on her manuscript. She adds a dedication to Nonna and takes the novel to Nonna’s room. Nonna has died in the meantime, and Elisabetta starts to read the novel to her.

Marco celebrates Easter with his family. Emedio mentions Aldo, and he and Marco argue about his death, with Marco blaming Aldo for threatening his job. Emedio discusses the trajectory of the war and Italy’s lack of progress. Marco cites the German forces and their help, and Emedio critiques his praise. Marco wants Beppe to stop helping the Simones. As the brothers argue, Marco rushes at Emedio, pinning him against a wall, until Beppe pulls him off.

As Elisabetta deals with the aftermath of Nonna’s death, Nonna’s distant relations arrive in Rome, forcing themselves into the house. They argue with Elisabetta, and she avoids them. As these relatives discuss selling Nonna’s beloved China collection, Elisabetta finds a cache of soup tureens, which she carries into her room and onto the roof, which can only be accessed through her locked room. She and Rico remain in these spaces, where she grows herbs and vegetables in the tureens.

Having heard that Levi-Civita died, Sandro goes to pay his respect. As he walks, he considers his clothing, and how he looks more “Jewish.” He places a stone on the gate outside the house where Levi-Civita died. Sandro considers how many potential scholars will not learn from Levi-Civita and others like him.

Elisabetta checks receipts from Casa Servano, grateful she covered expenses for another night. She talks to Sofia, Nonna’s daughter-in-law, about Nonna’s son Paolo and his letters from the war. The letters grow infrequent, and the news more dire. A man enters, begging for food for his hungry children. He offers to show his children as proof, and Elisabetta notes she already knows what they look like.

Marco walks through Rome with his German friend Rolf, and they discuss the war, the relentless bombing of Sicily and Southern Italy by the Allies. He observes the change in atmosphere in Palazzo Venezia, as doubts spread about Italy’s ability to win. The men walk by the Tiber, and Marco notices a group of laborers shoveling dirt. One wears a newspaper to shield himself from the sun, and Marco recognizes him as Sandro.

Elisabetta walks to San Lorenzo, planning to contact a new source for black market goods. Allied planes appear in the sky, and their bombs drop around her. Knocked unconscious, she wakes with cuts on her arms and legs, and she sees a gravely wounded baby. Elisabetta picks him up and tries to get to a hospital. He dies in her arms before she can help him. She sees King Vittorio Emmanuele get out of a limo with his wife, who both try to give people money during the carnage. The citizens heckle the king.

Marco notices the commotion at Palazzo Venezia, seeing the adoration for Mussolini replaced by anti-war criticism. He realizes his error, supporting a war that has killed half a million Italian citizens. He remembers Aldo, riding his bicycle to his father’s bar and admitting his mistake.

Sandro notices the optimism among the Jewish residents of the Ghetto, as Mussolini’s power weakens and the Allies press Italy for an armistice. Badoglio, who leads the government, seems to hesitate in his negotiation with the Allied Powers. Sandro thinks about Marco, wondering if they’ll ever repair their relationship, before longing for Elisabetta.

Marco walks through Rome, having left Palazzo Venezia. He considers his life and unhappiness. Seeing his father closing Bar GiroSport, he and Beppe discuss the end of the war, which seems far away. Beppe acknowledges the Nazis won’t let go of Rome without a struggle and invites Marco to join a group of freedom fighters. They then toast to Aldo.

Marco and Beppe meet with freedom fighters as they prepare to defend Rome. Beppe demands that Marco follow his commands, and he reluctantly does. They fight Nazis throughout the city, shooting at German forces from rooftops. Without reinforcements or replenishments of ammunition, the Italian forces lose the city.

During Nazi occupation, Elisabetta continues to cook at Casa Servano. Sofia quits, and Elisabetta opens without her help. She prepares ravioli with tomato sauce, and manages to find ingredients for 12 supplì. She takes them to Sandro’s apartment, leaving them outside his door. Moments later, hungry rats emerge and eat all the supplì.

Talking to a German officer, Marco serves him coffee at his father’s bar. The soldier refuses to pay, and Marco swallows his anger. Beppe tells him there are two governments, with Mussolini returned to power in the north. Marco agrees to continue fighting the Fascist Party.

Sandro attends a meeting with leaders of the Italian Jewish community, called by Chief Rabbi Zolli. The rabbi discusses the danger to the Ghetto under Nazi control. He demands they shut down the local synagogue and destroy personal information related to Jewish citizens. The other leaders deny his requests, and next Saturday, Sandro and his father discover that the rabbi left.

Marco and his father discuss strategies to stop the Nazis, including a makeshift construction of two nails. Gemma forbids Beppe from returning home if Marco dies. Beppe and Marco discuss marriage, and Beppe confirms Fascist men destroyed Ludovico’s hands after he painted over a Fascist emblem. He remains opposed to Marco’s love for Elisabetta, but Marco disagrees with him.

Massimo and other Jewish leaders go to Villa Wolkonsky, summoned to meet Kappler, the head of the SS (Schutzstaffel) in Rome. Kappler demands 50 kilograms of gold in 36 hours, or he will deport 200 Jewish people. Stricken with fear, the other leaders grow despondent while Massimo plans.