Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella) Scene 21 Summary

  • They're sent to the sleeping quarters, and even Guido's stunned at the conditions in the barracks. People are filthy and starving. He quickly gathers his composure and pretends it's exactly what he planned for the game.
  • Joshua complains about the lack of food and crowded barracks, but Guido lies that they have to be tough because everyone wants to win that tank.
  • Joshua asks when it'll be over. Guido thinks fast and says it's over when someone gets to 1,000 points.
  • A German guard walks in and shouts something in German.
  • Guido asks Bartolomeo, a fellow prisoner, what he said. Bartolomeo says he's asking for someone who can speak German. Guido volunteers, and no, he doesn't speak German.
  • The solider starts shouting the camp rules at the prisoners. Guido "translates" the rules of the game for Joshua. Don't worry too much about it; we're sure Bartolomeo will fill everyone in later.