This scene from Bernardo Bertolucci's Novecento- 1900 aka twentieth century (1976) has always fascinated me. In 1945, after decades of struggle, the workers have succeeded in defeating the Fascists in Italy. Alfredo Berlinghieri aka padrone (local landlord) (played by Robert De Niro), the local landlord is now captured and brought among workers and a people's trial is held. The padrone considers himself a good man, as he was not a fascist, but the workers always knew that he was the reason the fascists rose to power and he never stood up against them.
The workers's leader Olmo, makes the workers realise that as the revolution comes the post of padrone is gone, his wealth is gone, but the man himself is a living proof of all that and he must live. Without his wealth and social status, he is a poor man, a man like them, and therefore he must be given a chance.
Towards the end of the film, alone with Olmo, Alfredo declares "The padrone is alive", indicating the struggle between the working and ruling classes will continue.
