A Bell for Adano

Infobox Film
name = A Bell for Adano


image_size =
caption = Theatrical poster for "A Bell for Adano" (1945)
director = Henry King
producer = Louis D. Lighton
Lamar Trotti
writer = John Hersey (novel)
Norman Reilly Raine
Lamar Trotti
narrator =
starring = Gene Tierney
John Hodiak
music = Alfred Newman
cinematography = Joseph LaShelle
editing = Barbara McLean
distributor = Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
released = June 21, 1945
runtime = 103 minutes
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:84738
imdb_id = 0037534

"A Bell for Adano" (1945) is a film directed by Henry King starring John Hodiak and Gene Tierney. The film was adapted from the novel "A Bell for Adano" by John Hersey, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945.

The story concerns Italian-American U.S. Army Major Joppolo, who is placed in charge of the town of Adano during the invasion of Sicily. The title refers to Major Joppolo's attempts to replace the 700 year old bell that was taken from the town by the Fascists at the start of the war to be melted down for ammunition. Through his actions, Joppolo also wins the trust and love of the people.

Some of the changes Joppolo brings in to the town include:
*Democracy
*Free fishing privilege
*The freedom of mule carts
*A bell from the American Navy to replace the town bell

The short-tempered American commander, General Marvin, fires Major Joppolo from his position when Joppolo disobeys an order to prohibit mule cart traffic in Adano, which has been disrupting Allied supply trucks, because the mule carts are vital to the survival of the town.

The character of Joppolo was based on the real life experiences of Frank Toscani, who was military governor of the town of Licato, Sicily after the Allied invasion.

External links

*amg title|id=1:84738|title=A Bell for Adano
*imdb title|id=0037534|title=A Bell for Adano