The Scarlet and the Black is a 1983 made for TV movie starring Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer. This production should not be confused with the 1993 British television mini series Scarlet and Black, which starred Ewan McGregor and Rachel Weisz. Based on J. P. Gallagher's book The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican , this movie tells the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a real life Irish Catholic priest who saved thousands of Jews and Allied POWs in Nazi-occupied Rome. In 1943, Nazi Germany completely occupies Rome. The Pope is approached by Lieutenant General Max Helm and SS Head of... Police for Rome Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler . The Colonel expresses concern that escaped Allied prisoners may attempt to seek refuge in the Vatican, and requests permission to paint a white line across St. Peter's Square in order to mark the extent of Vatican sovereignty. The Pope grants his permission, but upon the departure of the SS officers looks out the window to see the white line had already begun being painted.
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| Release date: | February 2, 1983 |
| Directed by: | Jerry London |
| Runtime: | 143 Minutes |
| Producer: | Bill McCutchen, Howard Alston, Alfio Sugaroni |
| Editor: | Benjamin A. Weissman |
| Music by: | Ennio Morricone |
| Cinematography: | Giuseppe Rotunno |
| Screenplay by: | J.P. Gallagher, David Butler |
| Genre: | Biography |