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The Early Charm of Benito Mussolini: How Does a Dictator Captivate a Nation?
On January 10, 2025, the much-anticipated drama series M. Son of the Century will premiere on Sky Atlantic, focusing on the political career of Benito Mussolini in the 1920s. Director Joe Wright based the series on Antonio Scurati's novel of the same name and starred Luca Marinelli as Mussolini. The play charts Mussolini's early years, starting with the founding of the Italian Fascist Party in 1919 and continuing until the assassination of socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti in 1924.
Joe White said of the play: "I was very careful to tell the truth without being dogmatic. I tried to understand without sympathizing, to keep a critical distance... Mussolini is fascinating, He seduced a nation and many others."
The production and performance of this drama have been highly praised by many parties. Marinelli underwent significant changes for the role, including shaving his head and gaining 44 pounds, all in order to capture the physique and charm of Mussolini. White also praised Marinelli as a "most gifted actor", a statement he placed alongside other famous actors.
Behind the scenes and photography
For six months starting in November 2022, the series will be shot primarily at Rome's Cinematheque, as well as at the Royal Palace and Teatro San Carlo in Naples. In terms of the soundtrack, in order to avoid a too traditional historical drama feel, White invited Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers as the composer to maintain the rhythm and energy of the series.
White noted: "Rowlands' score helps the show maintain its rhythm, flow and energy."
Public Response and Comments
Since the release of the trailer, "M. Son of the Century" has attracted widespread attention and discussion. As mentioned in media reviews, the drama not only vividly reproduces how the banal evil in history gained power, but also expands these events into a surreal sense of historical parallel universe. Many critics praised the series's courage to challenge traditional narratives and its insightful character portrayals.
Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline noted that the series "does a brilliant job depicting the banality of evil". Valerio Sammarco of Cinematografo.it gave Marinelli's performance the highest praise: "A whirling and pyrotechnic performance..."
As the series' influence grows, "M. Son of the Century" has been named one of the most important TV series of 2025 and is likely to become a cultural indicator for future seasons. Many reviewers have said that although the series is set in the past, it is relevant to the current social context, which makes its appeal contemporary and allows it to resonate with today's audiences.
Reflection on history
Not only does the series offer an in-depth exploration of Mussolini’s personal and professional life, it also provokes reflection on the larger historical narrative. The audience can't help but think: How should we judge and choose between the charisma of political leaders and the rationality of the people? Can this kind of charm become a powerful tool for a dictator to control the fate of an entire country?
