Mussolini: Son of the Century

The first half of the 20^th century was a period of drastic change in Europe, as fascism began to rise to prominence. In Italy, the first fascist movements emerged during World War I, when the conflict saw changes to society, governance and military status. When the war drew to a close in 1918, millions of civilians who had been drafted into the military were left with little to do. Enter Benito Mussolini and the National Fascist Party, an anti-class conflict group that wanted to bring revolutionary nationalism to Italy, by any means necessary. The rest, they say, is history and one that is documented in Antonio Scurati’s award-winning novel M: Son of the Century, now adapted for television by director Joe Wright.

The series follows Benito Mussolini’s (Luca Marinelli) early career from his founding of the Fasci Italiani in 1919 up to the assassination of socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti in 1924, while indulging in several affairs along the way. From the opening scene, it becomes immediately apparent that rather than tell the story through a realist lens, Wright chooses to have his characters break the fourth wall, to devastating effect. Instantly the viewer is sucked into this world of violence, sex and corruption, almost as if a character present in every room.

This proves to be a masterful idea and gives each cast member a chance to show the camera what they are made of, while also building a connection with us amidst the cut and thrust of the drama. Marinelli gives the performance of a lifetime, shaving his head and gaining a considerable amount of weight for the role and proving almost as, if not more, charismatic than Mussolini himself. He becomes the viewer’s closest friend and confidant through the meteoric rise of the monstrous dictator, from lowly living to the grandest tables of Rome, and the actor carries the series so high above his head, it may as well take flight.

Not a phrase to be taken lightly; every element of this series takes your breath away, from the writing to the editing. Of course, it helps to have an extraordinary story to work off, and the story of Benito Mussolini and the rise of fascism in Italy delivers nuggets of gold in droves. Wright has history in bringing such tales to life, directing the multiple award-winning movie Winston Churchill movie Darkest Hour, and it is clear he has once again applied his skills and experience to this historical Italian venture. A score from Chemical Brothers member Tom Rowland gives the series a grungy feel, similar to the style that made Peaky Blinders such a success, keeping the pace and rhythm bursting with vibrant energy.

One thing is for certain in this factual rollercoaster ride of a series: evil finds a way and it found it in Benito Mussolini.

Guy Lambert

Mussolini: Son of the Century is released on Sky on 4^th February 2025.

Watch the trailer for Mussolini: Son of the Century here: