"Although this film was inspired by real events which occurredin Rome in 1922, the characters portrayed are fictitious." "This film begins in 1935." "Look, Gaetano, it's still letting in water, we'll have to build the wall again." "We'll have to increase the shifts, and no overtime." "Go ahead, then." " No, you'll have to take care of it." "Do as you like." "OK, I'll take care of it, someone has to." "What are you doing?" "Get some sleep." " Don't you need.." "No, I'll be here till late." " It's after nine!" "Send everyone home." "They can't continue in this weather." "I'm going now." " Thanks." "By the way, you gave me this hanky to remind you of something." "I didn't forget this time, look.." "It's for my daughter, she's five today." "Five!" "Very nice!" "Kids!" "We're getting old." "I get it, the usual fee." "Here.." "No, take two." " Well, in an hour.." " One for later, right?" "Goodnight." "Just call if you need me." " I don't need anything, thank you." "Goodnight." "Hello." "Is that you, dear?" "Ah!" "At last, you called." "I have a lot on, I don't know when.." "No, of course.." "I thought so." "It's perfectly normal." " Who is it?" "It's Pietro." "OK, it means we'll stay at home and play 'duck, duck, goose'.." "It's a pity there are only three of us." " Why three?" "Salvi's there!" "Dear God!" "what is he doing there?" "He came to talk to you, he's been waiting almost an hour." "Yes, OK, but I don't understand why?" " Is it daddy?" " Here, honey." "Daddy, it's me, Luisa." " Luisina!" "Come home soon." " I don't know if I can.." "But you go to bed." " It's my birthday, I want to see you." "And I have a beautiful doll here." " I don't want a doll, I want you." "And then I want the doll!" "Bye, Luisina." "Bye." "Go to sleep, and be good." "Give it to me, Louisa." " Bye, bye!" "Papa!" "Bye!" "Yes, OK, Pietro." "I just have to finish something and I'll be with you." "See you soon." "Yes, I know, it seems like he's ignoring me, leaving me alone like this.." "But it's his job." " Right.." "And your life gets more monotonous every day stuck at home, alone." "A beautiful woman like you." " Why won't you stop thinking about me?" "Why?" "You know perfectly well, and I've told you a thousand times." "I love you, Clara." "More than anything in the world." "Why won't you make up your mind?" "I can offer you happiness, but only if you want it." "And I'm ready to run away, with you, of course." "I forgive you, because you've had too much to drink." "Yes, maybe I'm drunk.." "But you.." " Stop it, I may not forgive you again." "But I don't want your compassion, I want your love!" " Salvi, stop!" "Or I'll be forced to tell my husband." "Hey, friend!" "Are you still upset with me, or have you forgiven me?" "Forget it." " You want to treat me bad?" " Forget it, Salvi" "No!" "That's why I'm here." " We'll discuss it tomorrow with clear heads." "No, no!" "I want to hear you say I'm still your friend." "I need your respect." " You need a good night's rest." "Shall I take you home?" " Not until I've toasted you and Clara." "Where's Clara?" " Inside with Luisa." " Excuse me." "Quiet." "I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier." " It doesn't matter, Pietro." "Is she asleep?" " Yes, she was waiting until now." "You also waited a long time." " It doesn't matter, you're here now." "How is work?" " It's fine." "Something wrong?" " No, everything's fine." "You look so tired, but it's Sunday tomorrow, and you can rest." "I'm not so sure." "What a beautiful doll!" " You like it?" "She wanted it so much." " I told her about it on the phone." "Listen.." " Yes." "Shall we put it on her bed?" " Quietly, she's only just fallen asleep." "Don't worry, I'll just give her a kiss." " Yes, but don't wake her." "No." "She's so beautiful." "You're awake." "Didn't you bring me anything?" "Sure I did, look.." "Look, how pretty!" " How pretty!" "It's yours." "Your little doll." "You'll always keep it with you, and you'll always take it to bed with you." "Now get some sleep." "Blow." "Blow!" "What is Salvi still doing here?" " I couldn't kick him out." "You're the one who encouraged him to turn up at any hour." "Has he been any trouble?" " No." "This has to stop, I won't stand for it." " He drank a lot tonight." "I noticed." "Come on, I'll deal with him." " You won't cause a scene?" "Don't worry." "I'll take him home, I won't be long." "Hey, Salvi!" "Shall we go?" "Let's see if this champagne can help make the peace between us." "What are you doing?" "What are you doing!" "Get some alcohol." " Some champagne will be enough!" "'Scuse me, I'm making.." "It burns!" " It's nothing." "Let me do it." "Hold it tight." "Stay still." " Tie it there." "It burns!" " Does it?" "Here we go." "Be good now!" "Here's the alcohol." " Put it down there." "We should call a doctor?" " Doctor?" "I'm not dead yet!" "I'll take you home, you're not capable of doing anything alone." "I knew I could count on you!" " I'm taking you home." "Just a little drop!" " No!" " Just a tiny one.." " I said no!" "I'll take him home, then I'll come straight back." "Let's go!" "Come on Salvi!" "Let's go!" "You can do it!" "Just let me drive." "I thought men like you could handle their drink." "Stupid men like me, you mean." " Via Calamata?" "No." " No?" "No, I've got a place outside Rome now." "Take the Flaminia." "What's this?" " What are you doing?" "A revolver!" " Don't touch it, it's loaded." "Don't touch it!" " Let's kill the moon!" "Idiot!" "What will they think now?" "Oh, good." "I'm glad you're awake.." "You said ten kilometres down, but there's a turning here." "You need to take a right." "500 metres and we're there." "Hey, guard." "Come on, Luigi!" "Be good!" "It should be here, the bell rang a while ago." "Is he OK?" " He's a friend, he's fine." "He had too much to drink." "Need a hand?" " No, thanks." "Goodnight." "Come on, we've arrived." "I'm nothing but trouble." " Don't worry about it." "I'll try to find someone." "No!" "Let me just gather myself.." "I might frighten them if they see me like this." "Does it still hurt?" " It's nothing." "Thanks." "Goodnight." "Goodnight." " See you tomorrow." "Hey Guido!" "Here, around the corner!" "What do you want?" " I found a wallet!" "A wallet?" "On my way." "Where did you find it?" " By the riverbank, with our dredger." "Salvi, Renato, did you call his home?" " Yes, he didn't come home last night." "I'm afraid he won't be back, for the moment." "Suicide or Murder?" "The Tiber Murder:" "Is Vanzelli The Culprit?" "Has Renato Salvi Been Murdered?" "Someone Knows" "Is Pietro Vanzelli The Culprit?" "You were the last person to see him!" "Why do you insist on lying!" "Admit you hated him." "You're questioning me like I have something to hide." "I have nothing to confess, I'm not the culprit." "And you can't treat me like one." " Just answer the question." "I never said I hated him." "All I mentioned was contempt.." "There's a big difference, hate, perhaps can drive someone to murder.." "But contempt?" "Never." "Salvi was.." " Why do you say 'was'?" "Then you know he's dead?" "Well really.." "everyone here talks as though he were dead and so do I." "Renato Salvi disappeared in mysterious circumstances on the 10th of April.." "His body was never found, and all eyes are on you." "You'd do well to tell the truth." " Why should I hide it?" "But you, you seem to be inventing your own truth!" "Watch what you're saying!" "This is a court of law, remember that." "Calm down!" "We're sorry, your honour." "What was your relationship like with him?" "Normal.." "Although we had clashed a few times lately." "But nothing serious had happened between you." "I told you about my relationship with Salvi, it was correct." "He stole some money from the firm, he had signed some bad cheques." "Why didn't you report him?" " He promised me he'd fix it." "You worked late that night." " Sure." "You were going to stay the night." " Yes, that was my intention." "He was strange that night, nervous, like he was worried about something." "Yes, indeed." "If I may, your honour?" "Go ahead." " I had good reason to be nervous.." "Gaetano, do you remember that work was proceeding badly.." "That we had a water leak that day, and we needed more workers.." "You remember, don't you?" " Yes, I remember." "This has no relevance." " I object.." "Each and every detail is of the utmost importance." "I object!" "Try to understand my question.." "What was your impression?" "Was he upset about something else.." "Or because of the accident?" " I don't know.." "I don't understand these things, I just said he was nervous." "I'm sorry, but they're confusing me.." "Instead of helping you I'm making it worse!" " Varesti!" "We want the truth, not charity for the accused.." "Remember you're under oath!" "Continue with your testimony." "Here it is." "So he sent me straight to bed, saying he had work to do.." "I was just nodding off when I heard footsteps." "So I looked out the door and I saw him tiptoeing out.." "but he had left the light on in the office." "If I hadn't seen him leave, I'd have sworn he was still there." "Why did you leave like that?" " So as not to wake him." "I knew he was very tired." " Why so delicately?" "It isn't about delicacy, I've always respected my workers.." "Especially him, he's been with me for years." " Why did you leave the light on?" "I don't know, I guess I forgot.." "I often did." " Yes, it's true!" " Enough!" "Gaetano Varesti may step down." "The prosecution can continue." "So why did you go home?" "I'm forgetting, it wasn't to create a precious alibi.." "but to take the doll to your daughter." "Gentemen of the court, these insinuations are worthy of the Inquisition!" "I won't repeat them again for the Counselor's sake." "So you put Salvi in your car with a wounded hand that was dripping blood." "Yes, that's right." "Why should I deny it?" "But it wasn't dripping blood, the wound was of no importance.." "I had given him my handkerchief to pad it." "Why do you keep asking me the same questions?" "Why?" "Silence!" "Who threw the handkerchief from the car?" "It must have been Salvi." " And you didn't notice." "I was exasperated because of the revolver." "Salvi was behaving like an idiot." "The shots Salvi fired to kill the moon, right?" "It's all very clear, you're a smart man, Vanzelli." "But let's continue." "What happened after?" "Salvi calmed down, in fact, at the turning, he told me the way." "You spoke to him normally." " Yes." "How far is the turning from the level crossing?" "This has no relevance." " It does, everything I say is relevant!" "Answer." "I don't remember exactly.." "About 200 metres." "It would have taken you twenty seconds, at the most, to reach it." "Also taking into account that it was raining that night." "Exactly, and?" " I want to question the night guard." "He was on his back." "He told me he was drunk.." "But he looked dead to me." "It gave me such a fright!" "Excuse me." "You approached my car, right?" "With the baby in your arms, who was crying." "Luigino, I believe." " Yes, Luigino, my nephew.." "He wouldn't sleep that night." " Yes." "You spoke to me.." "Did I look like someone who had just committed a murder?" "Well?" "You were in a hurry, you were looking at your watch." "Note that down in the minutes." "You may step down." "I was looking at my watch, because I was in a hurry to get back to my wife." "I already told you a hundred times." "But that's all, nothing more." "But.." "it's incredible.." "incredible how the same words, the same facts, the same gestures.." "Can mean something so different to me, and to you." " No, Vanzelli!" "There's only one meaning, and I think we've all understood it." "You're a very intelligent man, Vanzelli.." "You don't deny the facts, you merely reinterpret them in your favour." "Enough!" "That's why you want to make us believe.." "That you weren't carrying a dead body in your car, but just a drunkard." "May I ask my colleague to save these insinuations for his closing speech.." "Not this interrogation!" "Let's say Salvi was only drunk.." "A strange drunkard." "Who knew the way home perfectly, in the rain, and in total darkness.." "and moments later seemed dead." "And where did you take him?" "To his new home." "You were certain that was his home." " Yes, he told me himself." "He said he'd only been there a few days." "You want us to believe you had no idea the house didn't belong to Salvi.." "or that it was abandoned?" " Abandoned?" "You mean to say you left Salvi outside an abandoned house and left." "That's right." "So, the footprints that start where you left him and lead to the river.." "remain unexplained." " It must have been Salvi." "Right, Salvi, always back to Salvi.." "That poor drunk who passes out, wakes up, talks, doesn't talk." "And plays dead to please the accused!" "There's no other explanation." "But there is.." "and it'll be part of my closing speech." "But for now I'll limit myself to the examination at hand." "That doesn't prove anything, and it certainly doesn't prove he's a murderer." "A man like him, with a family and an enviable position.." "He doesn't kill over business." " Perhaps." "But this isn't just about business.." "Another decisive motive connects the accused with the victim." "My husband worked late that night." "Your husband was very absorbed with his work?" " Yes, he was." "So you felt ignored." " No, I didn't say that." "You say you love your husband." " Yes." "I understand." "Now tell me.." "Your relationship with Salvi, you were just friends, weren't you?" "I understand your discomfort, but a man has been killed and his death cannot go unpunished." "Do you understand my question?" "What was there between you and Salvi?" "How dare you ask such a question?" "Your honour!" "Is it possible to offend a woman's most intimate feelings like that?" "The prosecutions words are an insult!" "An insult!" "An insult I tell you!" "Don't behave like that, you'll ruin everything!" "It's an insult!" "It's a pity you don't want to tell us the truth.." "No one here is doubting your honour." "But you just said your relationship with Salvi was perfectly normal." "Yes, of course, and I'm ready to swear it." "This means Salvi never courted you." "He never declared feelings that went beyond simple friendship.." "Wasn't Salvi in love with you?" "Answer!" "I don't know.." "I don't know." "I don't like the way you're speaking to me." "I can't think straight." " Answer the question." "Was he in love with you?" "Perhaps, but I always refused his advances.." "Even that day." " That day?" "He was crazy, he said he wanted to run away with me." "And you ignored the fact that Salvi was courting your wife." "Ignored?" "It never crossed my mind." "Did you usually read any mail addressed to you?" "Vanzelli, I'm talking to you." " Yes, of course." "Sometimes my secretary would deal with it, but I always.." "Just answer the question." "And mail addressed to your wife?" "No, never!" "I had no reason to." "What a pitiful lie!" "This letter was found in the accused's car on the night of the murder." ""Clara, my Clara,"" ""I call you like that, even if everything still divides us."" ""But soon this cruel barrier will be erased by my will, my desperate love."" ""Thank you for agreeing to run away with me."" ""It will mean freedom, happiness." Signed Renato Salvi." "It's a disgrace." "It's a disgrace!" "I've never seen that letter before!" "And I rule out any possibility that my wife ever received it." "It isn't possible!" "It isn't possible!" "You're unbelievable." "A letter addressed to your wife turns up in your car, already opened.." "And you deny any knowledge of it." "What do you have to say about that letter your husband received before the crime?" "I never received that letter." "I've never thought of anything so horrible!" "I love my husband, and I know he's innocent!" "Sadly, whatever you have to say in your husband's defence has no value here." "No further questions." "Do you have anything to add?" "What more can I say?" "The facts, the evidence, it's all against me." "But I'll tell you again, I haven't killed anyone." "I haven't killed anyone." "These hands aren't stained with blood." "They're the hands of a working man." "A father, a husband who has always fought for his family." "And that is why, for my family.." "I'm still desperately trying to convince you that I'm innocent." "For my wife, who I love.." "and my daughter, whose life will be haunted by this tragedy forever.." "and who waits faithfully, anxiously, for a caress from these hands." "Gentlemen of the court, I don't appeal for clemency.." "I only appeal for justice." "And there is your motive." "Vanzelli hates Salvi for business reasons, but that isn't enough." "We also have a husband upset at his wife's betrayal." "He suspected for some time, but at last he has proof." "A letter from Salvi addressed to his wife." "It sends him into a rage!" "This is Salvi's death sentence." "On the night of the 10th of April, Vanzelli knows Salvi is at his home." "Perhaps whispering sweet nothings to his wife as they plan their escape." "So Vanzelli sets about creating an alibi to cover his crime." "He sends the guard to bed, telling him he'll spend the night there." "But as soon as the guard has gone to sleep he leaves quietly." "Because he wants the guard to believe he's still there." "He returns home thinking no one has seen him." "He behaves indifferently in front of his wife and Salvi." "He offers Salvi drinks until he's blind drunk." "Giving him an excuse to take him home." "As soon as Salvi is in his car, the itinerary changes." "In the rainy night he heads towards the distant suburbs." "When Salvi notices he's going the wrong way, he asks for an explanation." "He realises what's going on and puts up a fierce struggle." "Perhaps Salvi wants to jump from the car but Vanzelli fires two rounds into him!" "On the outskirts of the city, he pulls up at the abandoned house." "The river flows thick in the darkness." "And Vanzelli knows the area is deserted, he knows there will be no witnesses." "At the riverbank, in one fell swoop he frees himself of Salvi's body." "I ask this court to hand down the maximum penalty." "A life sentence!" "In the name of His Majesty, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy." "In accordance with Articles 575 and 577 of the Penal Code, having considered all the evidence, this court sentences the accused, Pietro Vanzelli.." "to fourteen years and eight months incarceration." "What's your name?" "What do you want?" "I'm Pietro Vanzelli." "This was my house fifteen years ago." "Pietro Vanzelli, the one who.." "Come in." "I arrived much later." "Your furniture has been stored next door, in the last room." "You were lucky to find such good natured people.." "Some thieves even take the walls with them!" "We're from Velletri." " Who was here before you?" "A doctor, his name was Bianchini." " Bianchini?" "And before him?" " Your wife and daughter." "Then you.." " No, I never met them." "Mr. Vanzelli, your things are next door, in the last room.." "I had it all kept in order." "I'll show you." "Come in, come!" "There's nothing missing." "You can check it.." "I have a list, I tidied it all myself." "That teddy bear!" "It was quite a battle to save it from the children.." "I always kept it hidden." "Bianchini, you said?" " 14, Via Degli Artisti." "It's a side street off Francesco Cristi." "Thank you, this is for you." " You're too kind." "I believe they moved to Livorno." " Livorno?" "The lady was very upset." " My daughter.." "She has blonde hair and dark eyes, was she with her?" "Yes, she was." "They left in quite a hurry." "I had to store all the furniture in the back room." "I'm sorry, but didn't they leave an address?" "No, I'm sorry.." "I'm sorry I can't help, but all I know is they went to Livorno." "Do you have a match?" "You!" "You're going to pay for what you've done." "At least let me explain." "Go on!" "Talk!" "Tell me everything!" "I was ruined, I would've gone to prison.." "I lost my mind, I wanted to kill myself but I didn't have the courage." "You bastard, you had the courage to destroy my life!" "But I've found you, and it's my turn now!" "What are you going to do?" " What I'm entitled to do.." "I paid in advance, I want my merchandise!" "Your life!" " You're out of your mind!" "It's lunacy!" "Our lives are ruined enough." "My life, you mean?" "Go on." "I want to know everything." "Go on!" "I was madly in love with Clara, but she always rejected me." "I wanted to get back at her, and you, who she loved." "I was ruined, you were going to turn me in over those cheques." "So I thought about disappearing, to get back at you, her, everyone!" "I set it up so everyone would blame you." "The broken bottle, the handkerchief, the blood, the abandoned house." "I sent that letter to Clara, which she never received." "And I hid it in your car, that night." "I thought of everything, and it all went my way." "But I didn't achieve my goal." "Clara left the city immediately." "And I never saw her again." "I was scared she'd turn me in." "Where is she now?" "She's dead." " I know." "I know." "What about my daughter, where is she?" "She was in Livorno when her mother died." "She went to work as a governess for an industrialist." "Soldani, I think." "She doesn't know anything, her mother kept it secret." "She said her father had gone away." "Now she must know the truth." " What truth?" "It would be real blow for your daughter, if she finds out you're an ex-con." "I was innocent, you bastard!" "You know I was innocent." "And it was all your fault." "But I'm going to kill you.." "before we reach the station." " You won't do it." "If you kill me, Luisa will know her father is a murderer." "She'll never believe you again." "Even if you tell her it isn't true, she'll never believe a murderer!" "Go!" "Go or I'll kill you!" "We're ready!" "Very good, OK." "And you?" "That's better." "Let's go, or we'll be late." "Stefano." "What are you doing?" "You're still not ready!" "The train leaves in a few minutes." "Sixty minutes!" "Enough time for a game of cards!" "Stop it, and hurry up." "I'll wait downstairs." " OK, don't worry." "Stefano!" "I thought you weren't coming." " I've been thinking of you all day." "It's almost like my father knew, he had fifty appointments, as if I was leaving for Korea and not coming back!" "Is that why you were so late?" "You're wet." " I got drenched." "I had to say goodbye to an aunt I haven't seen since I was five." "I counted every minute." "Aren't you glad you're leaving?" "Everyone says London is a great city.." "So many people, so many women!" " I know, but I don't care." "They'll be looking for you." " Let them." "Your parents might notice." " They have to find out some time." "And that will be the end." " Why?" "I've made up my mind, I'll talk to my father when I come back.." "And everything will be resolved, you won't need to worry, and we'll be happy." "We'll come back to this greenhouse sometimes, our first accomplice." "It seems impossible." " We'll get married and move out." "Stop it, Stefano." "I'm so happy!" "Let me dream about our new home for a while.." "We'll have a big lounge, and a sofa next to the radio.." "And there will be a window, with a view of the sea.." "And I'll wait outside on the street for you every day." "Like today." "No, Stefano, it's too beautiful.." "It will never be real, like a dream that must end." "Don't talk like that." " I'm only fooling myself.." "I know what your parents want." " What about what I want?" "But let's not talk about that now, only time will tell." "Look, I almost forgot.." "This will remind you of me." "You shouldn't have, it's too pretty." "Go, now." " Why?" "We can't stay here any longer." " Then you must promise me something.." "We'll meet here again, in exactly two months, at the same time." "It will be a lover's promise!" "In two months, agreed?" "I don't know where to start." "It's a delicate matter and I don't wish to offend you." "But it's about our son, Stefano." "I don't understand." "You see, my husband.." " Right, "My husband!", you as well!" "Please, have a seat." "Yes, I think the same, I do, too." "We've been aware of Stefano's feelings for you for quite some time." "And that's why we've sent him to England." "We have nothing against you." "In fact, we admire your intelligence and your skills." "I think you know what we're trying to say." "We have other plans for our son." " Of course." "Only you're making a mistake." " You think we're wrong to.." "No, I mean you're making a mistake, thinking I would've dared to.." "I knew my place, I know it now as well." "You don't need to remind me." " Then you make my task easier." "Besides, we're sure it's just a passing infatuation." "Certainly not for me." " I meant for our son, Stefano." "However, you must leave as soon as possible." "I can leave today, if you like." " No, certainly not.." "But do as you please, no one wants to chase you away." "Does Stefano know?" " That doesn't matter.." "I'm relying on your discretion, more than anything else." "Stefano is still just a boy, easily impressed, foolhardy." "I'm sure he'll understand when he returns." "As I'm sure you won't go back on your decision." "You mean your decision?" "But don't worry, I won't see your son again." "Do you have somewhere to go?" " It won't be hard for me.." "One city or another, one job or another.." "But I don't see why that should interest you?" "Why?" "You think we don't realise how much inconvenience this will cause you?" "But we'd like to make amends, perhaps financially?" "You don't have the right to offend me." "Excuse me." "The Soldani house?" "Turn right at the end of this road, that's the Soldani house." "Can I help you?" " Does Luisa Vanzelli live here?" "Not anymore, she just left." " Where did she go?" "I don't know, are you a relative?" " No, just an acquaintance." "Are you sure she left?" " Yes, I'm quite sure." "Thank you." "Some Time Later" "Do you know shorthand, at least?" " I've just started." "Still here?" "Please help me, I've been looking for a job for three months!" "Any job!" "If that's the case, we can come to an agreement." "Given that you're still here." "You know better than me.." "You just need to come to an agreement!" "Out!" "Harlot!" "Well, how did it go?" " The usual." "Then you'll have to leave, you can't stay here for free!" "Give me a few more days, I'll find something." "No, this has to stop, you've been looking for three months." "It's goodwill you're missing, not work." "Once it was because he put his hands on you.." "Another one, the boss was a pervert.." "Then that kid who wanted a date, like a date's the end of the world.." "There are people who live off dates." "You can't go on like this." " Stop, stop!" "Cry all you like, but not in my house!" "A beautiful girl like you.." "You can't even find the money for a bed and a piece of bread." "If I was your age, with that face, and those legs!" "If you can't find the money tonight, then don't come back!" "You like trouble?" "Your identity papers." "Hurry up." " It's in my wallet." "Stop wasting time." " I just had it in my hand." "Anyway, they know me in there." " Keep looking." "I could look for it at home." "Look for my.. papers." "Perhaps this is what you're looking for?" "It's mine." "I must have dropped it." "That's quite a bit of money!" "What about your identity papers?" "Where do you live?" "If you like, I can take him home." "I live close by." "OK, but you be careful." "If you like?" "Come on, let's go." "Please, come in!" "Make yourself at home." "This way." "Let me close the window." "What's wrong?" "Please don't do that." "Come on, sit up." "That's better." "Thanks." "I should be going." " If you want to rest a little longer?" "Of course, rest, just like you would at home." "Get some water." "Actually, there should be some coffee in the kitchen." "And get changed." "Look at the state of you!" "Shall I take your coat?" "Thanks." "Pretty, isn't she?" "You chose well." "She's a good girl." "She can be a bit fussy at times." "Really?" "You just have to know how to handle them." "Trust me, he's a real gentleman." "Where did you find him?" "By a restaurant, he was in a bad way." " You did great!" "I'm going, bring him his coffee." "How much for the coffee?" " Nothing, of course." "You're very kind.." "And you're also very beautiful." "I've been very lucky." " Why do you treat me like this?" "Let go!" "What's got into you?" "Are you pretending to be ashamed?" "Look at me." " I said let go.." "Who do you think I am?" " What do I think?" "Taking me here, to a place like this." "In the company of a woman like that." "Do you realise how false your behaviour is in here?" "It's all false, your chicory coffee.." "Your fake nylon tights.." "Your housekeeper's hypocritical kindness.." "Your air of innocence!" "These trinkets, these holy cards, this doll." "Give me that doll!" "Leave me this, at least." "You don't know what it means to me." "That doll?" "It isn't hard to imagine." " You'll never understand." "Sure, your life story must be very moving." "No, it's piteous." "It's the story of many women trying to survive, to find honest work." "But no one believes them." "Just like you don't believe me." " Why should I?" "Because I'm drunk?" " No, because it's true." "I'll tell you what you are:" "You're a miserable wretch." "Yes.." "Earlier this evening, you saw me in that condition and you thought.." "I might provide a solution for you." "Yes, a solution.." "And you played your part well, very well.." "To think that for a moment.." "For a moment I thought it was a gesture of kindness." "I don't know, maybe it was your eyes, your voice, I don't know." "I don't know." "But it doesn't matter because, you know what?" "You're scared I'll go without leaving my wallet on the table!" "No, it's isn't true!" " Yes it is, and let go of that doll!" "Why did you do that?" "Why?" "My poor little doll!" "What has he done to you?" "He hurt you, didn't he?" "Forgive me, but it wasn't my fault." "He broke your arm, you poor thing!" "My poor little doll." "Forgive me, I didn't realise it was so important." "And don't cry!" "Nothing happened." "Sure, her arm fell off, but I can fix that quite easily." "Look, there's a shoe missing." " She never had it." "Who gave you this doll?" " My father, when I was little." "What's your name?" " Luisa." "Go on." " Vanzelli." "Luisa!" "Luisa!" "I'm your father.." "Your father, don't you see?" "I've found you again at last!" "I spent months looking for you." "I had given up all hope." " I knew I'd find you.." "It was only that which made me bear it." " Luisa.." "Luisa, forgive me for thinking that you.." "I understand now, I understand everything.." "And I'll never leave you again." "Never again!" "Don't worry, daddy, I'll never leave you again." "I'll always be close to you." "Look, the little shoe I found in our old house.." "The shoe from your doll." "In the house I saw you as a child, with your mother." "Did she ever talk about me?" " Yes, always.." "She said you had gone away." "Yes, away." "Far away." "So much time lost." "But it wasn't my fault." "You have to believe me, it wasn't my fault." "I believe you, daddy." "We'll start again, Luisa." "We'll start over again." "We'll start over again." "Just think.." "mum would be so happy if she could see us." "She can see us." "Mum can see us.." "She helped us tonight." "Let's go." "We can't stay here." "Let's go." "Wait, my doll." "Let's put her shoe on, after all, if hadn't been for her.." "It's true, without her.." "I feel like a delinquent." " Me too." "Can you explain to me why Stefano couldn't marry that girl?" "She was good girl, wasn't she?" " Yes." "Well?" "It was the fact that our son would be marrying a servant." "That seemed enough." " Does that seem fair?" "Frankly, no, but there's something else that torments me.." "Stefano arrives tomorrow and.." " You think that.." "I don't think it, I know he'll never forgive us." "Is he really so in love with her?" "Like you were in love with me." "Then we must find her, and tell her to come back.." "We'll tell her something, we'll apologise, we'll explain.." "Until she comes back." " And agrees to marry our son!" "Go and find her." " I'll take care of it." "So many presents, are you happy?" " Very!" "Let's see.." "Here's the letter." "The Honourable Guido Soldani and his wife have the honour of" "The honour of participating in the marriage of their son, Stefano.." "to Luisa Vanzelli." "He had to put all his titles on the invitations." "He wouldn't have missed an opportunity like that." "I feel so happy, and I owe it all to you." "No, Luisa, it's you, you've given my life meaning." "Dear!" " Hi." " Hi!" " Hi, Stefano." "Good day." "Let me see her." "You look beautiful." " I agree." "That's what I always said." "You must be glad to be back after fifteen years away." "Let's talk about them." " It's all taken care of.." "The wedding is at eight tomorrow morning in the church of Livorno." "Breakfast at twelve." "The happy couple leave at two, for Genoa, Milan, Lugano, Geneva." "A stop over in France, and perhaps a weekend in London." "And a snack in the Balearics, or the Philippines!" "I like you, you're always so cheerful!" "You know it still doesn't feel real." "You always said it felt like a dream, remember?" "But it's real, so real it seems impossible!" "You must have suffered so much, I'll never forgive myself." "Let's not talk about it, it's all in the past." "No, I want to." "I felt such anguish when I was in England." "The anguish was so strong that I couldn't wait to return." "As though you were calling me." " I was calling you, desperately." "Please, that's enough now." "I'd love to talk but we'll miss the train." "That's right, Dad." "We must hurry." " I'm ready." "Your suitcase?" " Don't worry, it won't take long." "We'll go on ahead, get the tickets, and wait for you at the station." "Can you take us to the piazza?" " Have you forgotten your car?" "It's already in Livorno!" "OK, I'll take you." "I've finished, may I go?" " Come back and dust sometimes.." "My father will call you when he returns." "OK." " Leave it, I'll go." "Good morning." "You must be Vanzelli's daughter." " Yes, but.." "You're doing well." "Such beautiful flowers." "I recognised you immediately." " But I don't know you." "Of course, you were this tall the last time I saw you." "They were bad times for your mother and father." "What do you want?" " Nothing.." "I'm a friend, a friend who hasn't shown himself for many years.." "That life has separated from your father.." "And, on hearing little Luisa is getting married, has come to congratulate her." "Never thinking he'd scare the lady he used to make laugh so much as a child." "Well, what can you do?" " Thank you, but father isn't here." "I know, I saw him leave, I wanted to speak to you first." "I don't think we have anything to say." " Nonsense." "I'm a romantic." "A man who lives on memories." "I wanted to talk to you, that's all.." "About your mother." " You knew her as well?" "Did I know her?" "We were great friends." "I remember one day we played a joke on your father.." "Didn't he tell you?" "It was very well done." "Very amusing." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Of course, it was between adults, and you were a little girl.." "With a few quirks." "So no one told you anything." "Listen, if you want to wait for my father, make yourself at home." "But I'm in a hurry, I leave today." " There's no hurry." "I like it here." "Just like old times." "The same armchair." "Everything as it was." "How strange, that night your mother was standing exactly where you are now." "Don't worry, there's no hurry, your train doesn't leave for two hours." "How do you know?" " The newspapers!" "Full of gossip, always curious, always ready to report everything.." "Weddings, murders.." "They usually give preference to murders." "They say you're getting married in Livorno." "That Soldani is quite a rich man, isn't he?" "Very rich, I heard." "Are you marvelling at my ability to find spirits?" "It isn't about ability, it's about instinct.." "I have a sixth sense for liquor, a spiritual affinity for alcohol." "We're kindred spirits!" "It might be down to a certain bottle I broke in honour of your father.." "That was a fun night!" "I'm sure you'd be amazed if I told you." "Please, I'm not interested." " I'll tell you anyway.." "Dadi!" "Have a look at the car, I'll be leaving in half an hour." "Yes, Sir." " Thanks." "I had just opened the first bottle, when.." "Hi, Vanzelli!" " Dad." " Luisa." "Has this gentleman been here long?" " About fifteen minutes." "I didn't want to let him in, but he said he knew you." "He knew mother, and me, when I was a child." "Go and get changed, I'll call you in five minutes." "You're leaving with us, aren't you?" " Yes, of course!" "And hurry, they're coming for the suitcases soon." "Should I wear that coat you like?" " Sure." "You had the nerve to come back?" " I came to congratulate the bride." "What do you want?" "I wanted to tell the groom's parents all about the bride's parents.." "Things they won't like, not the future groom or the bride." "Well?" " I think we understand each other." "How much?" " Let's say, 600,000, not much." "OK, come back tonight." " You're not leaving?" "No, I'm not leaving, come back tonight at eight." "Cash, no cheques." " You'll have it." "Dad." "Has something happened?" " No." "Was it that man?" " No, it's nothing." "But something's come up." "You know this coat really suits you." "What is this delay?" "I can't leave with you now." " Why?" "It's nothing serious, something's come up." "Can't you put it off?" " No, but I'll get the night train." "There isn't one." " Then I'll drive, don't worry." "You can apologise to Stefano and Soldani for me, OK?" "Yes, but it isn't about them, it's about me." "I'll do everything I can, I'll come tomorrow morning." "Is it so important?" "Yes, it's very important." "Remember, eight o'clock." "And if I'm late for any reason, please don't worry." "OK." "My suitcase is still open, if you want to add something?" "My little girl, always thinking of me." "Thank you, Luisa." "It's a frighteningly cold winter this year." "Exactly like it was fifteen years ago." "You have an exceptional memory." "Indeed, I've spent the night reflecting on memories." "Old memories." "There's no one here." "You can go in." "If I'm not being indiscreet, what was it you were thinking of?" "A trial, that caused quite a stir at the time." "A certain Vanzelli.." " I'm not here to discuss the past." "I've given you so much of my time, you can spare some for me tonight." "Listen, Vanzelli, I like irony when I'm doing it." "I've been in hiding for years, I changed my name." "I'm a shadow of myself and this isn't funny anymore." "Well?" " What?" "Relax." " I told you my intentions." "I need money, not idle chatter!" "You see, Salvi, don't you realise the tables have turned now." "I'm the one who can gamble with your freedom and your life." "Yes, also with your life!" "Because you don't exist anymore." "You're a shadow I can erase when and how I want!" "And no one would look for you, no one would investigate." "All I'd have to do is get rid of your body, like last time." "But this time my impunity is assured." "I could kill you like a dog if I wanted to." "You're scared." " Then why don't you do it?" "Why don't you kill me?" "I'll tell you why.." "You see we're all born with our own destiny.." "Like a label attached to us.." "A businessman, an aviator, a banker, a poet.." "Or a rogue, like me!" "You weren't born a murderer." "Do you think I would have been foolish enough to come, otherwise?" "You know very well that killing me wouldn't be the last of it." "I would still bear down on your conscience." "You wouldn't be able to look at your daughter again." "Every moment of your life, you'd feel like a murderer!" "So just do what you've always done and pay up!" "If you think I'm going lose my temper, you're mistaken." "Then pay me!" "Did I say I wouldn't?" "Now you're starting to see sense." "Who are you calling?" "You have to ask?" "The police." "I wouldn't do that." " You listen here.." "Until today I didn't have proof of my innocence.." "I didn't have the proofs that they would've needed to restore my life." "In other words, I was missing you, alive!" "I was a fool to let you go on the train, but you came back and I won't let you go." "I won't let you go this time." "Stay here." "Hello?" "Police?" "IS VANZELLI GUILTY?" "Good evening." "Hold on, there's another train coming." "You're Luigino." " Yes!" "How did you know?" "We met a long time ago, but you wouldn't remember." "Here's the train." "Every moment of your life, you'll feel like a murderer." "Murderer!" "You won't be able to look at your daughter!" "You won't be able to look at your daughter!" "You won't be able to look at your daughter!" "Murderer!" "Do you, Stefano Soldani, take Luisa Vanzelli.." "to be your lawfully wedded wife?" "I do." "Luisa Vanzelli, do you take Stefano Soldani.." "to be your lawfully wedded husband?" "I do." "Then I pronounce you married." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" "Yes, I understand." "But you'll have to come to the station." "You won't come?" "What can I do, then?" "You'll have to come in person." "Hold on.." "I'm here to turn myself in." " Why?" "I killed a man." "This man seated here.." "Pietro Vanzelli didn't have faith in the law, he wanted justice for himself." "It's clear that being innocent, all he had to do was wait." "And he is as guilty as the worst kind of murderer." "But I ask you, ladies and gentlemen of the court, was it his blind will to commit murder, or was it fate?" "A tragic fate that none of us could have endured." "This man was found guilty by this very same court." "Yet he was completely innocent." "This man didn't strike out to kill, but in defence of his life!" "Already compromised and once again put in danger by a terrible blackmail." "Ladies and gentlemen of the court, in my capacity as a public minister," "I ask that you recognise Vanzelli killed in self defence." "In the name of the Italian people." "In view of Articles 575 and 52 of the Penal Code and 472 of the Procedural Penal Code, this court sentences the accused Pietro Vanzelli." "But it declares him non-punishable, by legitimate defence." "Therefore, we order his immediate release."