I went to Revolution Books on 26th Street on the West Side in the middle of the snow storm last week compelled, as if in a trance, to see a movie about Italian anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti. I had begun reading about the two men when I still lived in Italy and was fascinated by their tale.

I apparently am not alone. While the crowd was small and self selected, the movement to try to save these two men from their execution went on for seven years, arousing huge demonstrations throughout the United States and Europe.

Sacco and Vanzetti were convicted of murder not anarchism but there was scant proof that they actually did the crime they were accused of in 1920. A paymaster and his aide were murdered and money was stolen in Massachusetts. Sacco and Vanzetti were rounded up and placed in jail. Their saga went on and on as they became the darlings of the communist party in the United States and therefore enemies of the state in the eyes of many.

The movie, by Director Peter Miller, is interspersed with numerous interviews. Miller spoke with historians, writers, and people directly impacted by the events, such as the paymaster's daughter. It was extremely well done and poignant. John Turturro and Tony Shalub read letters from the two condemned men doing a great imitation of an Italian accent. Miller also traveled to Apulia to visit Sacco's niece. Some of the historians in the movie were so moved that tears actually came to their eyes as they spoke about the execution. I have seldom seen people so taken with the story they are telling.

Miller's light touch was fabulous and presented you with many facts without drawing a hard and fast conclusion. Clearly you are left with the feeling that two innocent men died that August day of 1927. Innocent of the crime for which they were accused that is. The men were anarchists and had an association with some dangerous folk but nothing that either of them did or intended to do would have landed them in jail had it not been for the awful witch hunt that went on and the political posturing of the left and the right. The two men were essentially sacrificed. 

Much talk went on after movie about whether they had a fair trial, consensus of course was that they did not.Miller pointed out that it was because of their anarchism and accusations that they weren't American and therefore patriotic that they got into trouble. The context of the times is also important to keep in mind. World War II had just ended and patriotism was alive and well in America. I tend to think the fact that they were foreigners, Italians and not part of the prevailing culture is a large part of why they were signalled out.

In the end, I guess the motivations are important historically and as an admonition to future generations to not repeat the same mistakes but to the families of these men, they are not. Sacco left behind a wife and a son.

The film left me with a profound sadness but I would highly recommend it to all those who are interested in the ideals of justice. Howard Zinn, that wonderful man, professor and historian who recently died, is a main character in the film and adds his gravitas to it. 

Hats off to Peter Miller for a beautiful movie. It came out in major theaters a few years ago but I believe it can still be seen in some places and certainly purchased at Revolution books.