- This article is about the film. For the novel, see A Bell for Adano (novel).
A Bell for Adano is a 1945 film directed by Henry King starring John Hodiak and Gene Tierney. It is 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.
