Difficult Years_
Original: Anni difficili
"The GENIUS that went into making "To Live in Peace", "Open City", "Paisan", and "Death of a Salesman" has been combined to give you..."
Aldo Piscitello, a minor government clerk, is forced in 1934 to join the Fascist party. When the war comes, he finds himself able only to talk ineffectually in secret against Mussolini, even as his own son Giovanni is sent into battle. By the end of the war, Aldo has found the courage to stand up for his beliefs, but by then it is too late.
Starring
Umberto Spadaro, Ave Ninchi, Enzo Biliotti
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Prime Video
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
Difficult Years was released 78 years ago in 1948.
Overview
Aldo Piscitello, a minor government clerk, is forced in 1934 to join the Fascist party. When the war comes, he finds himself able only to talk ineffectually ...
Difficult Years is a Drama film with a runtime of 1h 50m.
CAST (20)
Umberto Spadaro
Aldo Piscitello
Ave Ninchi
Rosina Piscitello
Enzo Biliotti
Il podestà
Massimo Girotti
Giovanni Piscitello
Delia Scala
Elena Piscitello
Ernesto Almirante
Il nonnino
Aldo Silvani
Il farmacista
MZ
Miro Zonda
Il federale
Milly Vitale
Maria, the pharmacist's niece
Giovanni Grasso
Mascoli
Olinto Cristina
Sacchi
Agostino Salvietti
Fegarotta
RD
Raniero De Cenzo
Rapisarda
Carlo Sposito
Riccardo, the Baron's son
GN
Giuseppe Nicolosi
Cascarà
Loris Gizzi
Il Ministro
Ermanno Randi
Turi
Rosetta Calavetta
Elena (voice)
PM
Paolo Monelli
Sandro Ruffini
Narrator, Italian original version
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
110 min (1h 50m)
Original Title
Anni difficili
Language
Italian
Country
Rating
7.7/10 (24 votes)
Popularity
6
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Difficult Years about?
Aldo Piscitello, a minor government clerk, is forced in 1934 to join the Fascist party. When the war comes, he finds himself able only to talk ineffectually in secret against Mussolini, even as his own son Giovanni is sent into battle. By the end of the war, Aldo has found the courage to stand up for his beliefs, but by then it is too late.
How long is Difficult Years?
Difficult Years has a runtime of 110 minutes (1h 50m).
Who stars in Difficult Years?
The cast of Difficult Years includes Umberto Spadaro, Ave Ninchi, Enzo Biliotti, Massimo Girotti, Delia Scala.
What is the rating of Difficult Years?
Difficult Years has a rating of 7.7 out of 10 based on 24 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Drama