George C. Scott delivers a commanding effort as Il Duce in this acclaimed, epic-length miniseries, tracking the life of Benito Mussolini through his assumption of power in early-‘20s Italy, his establishment of a fascist state, his ultimately disastrous choice to ally with Hitler’s Germany, and his fall and final fate at the hands of the Italian communists. Sweeping adaptation of son Vittorio Mussolini’s memoirs also stars Lee Grant, Virginia Madsen, Gabriel Byrne, Robert Downey, Jr., Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Raul Julia. 5 1/2 hrs. on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English.