Vogliamo i colonnelli (1973) Movie Script

- MONDAY JUNE 2 -

The so-called

"Colonels ofJune" conspiracy..

..began on the holiday..

..of the Anniversary of the Republic.

But the first symptoms

weren't in Rome.

- MlLAN, SAME DAY, 9:30 PM -

The explosion, which damaged

a symbol of the faith..

..and a monument venerated by all,..

..arouses widespread indignation.

All Italy trembles

with horror and outrage.

Ah, we are through to Milan.

Hallo, Martano,

can you hear me?

Yes, Martano speaking from Milan.

You will see the damage

caused by the bomb..

..exploded by mysterious vandals.

Mysterious, really?

Surely the target for the outrage

offers a clue.

Yes, in spite of the discretion

of the investigators,..

..a number of clues..

..lead one to suspect....

....an extreme leftist plot.

Thank you, Martano.

- WEDNESDAYJUNE 4, 11 :30 AM -

Only the followers of an ideology..

..which negates religion,

fatherland and family..

..could commit such a crime.

It's a provocation..

..aimed at putting public opinion

against the Left!

Murderers!

Gentlemen!

Minister Li Masi,

conclude your speech!

We'll do everything possible..

..to make the criminals pay.

This violence

isn't a casual episode.

There's violence in the streets,

in the schools...

That isn't true!

You're the provokers! Bandits!

Violence of the two extremes:

Left and Right,..

..violence which saps the tranquillity

and energy of the country,..

..undermining our economy and reducing

our industry's profits to zero!

Really?

Ask the Swiss banks..

..whether Italian businessmen

are making profits or not!

What about the 6.000 billions

smuggled to Switzerland?

The Honourable Members,

be so good as to....

The Hon. Tritoni,

leave the chamber at once!

Alright, alright!

The officers are requested

to evict the Hon. Member!

Hands off!

[The Hon. Giuseppe Tritoni,

known as Beppe,..]

[..elected in the Pisa-Leghorn

-Quercianella constituency.]

[Professor of Physical Education

in 1939 at the Farnesina Academy..]

[..and Bersaglieri officer

during the war.]

[Since 1950 a member

of the schools committee,..]

[..and, above all, leading orator

of his parliamentary party.]

Ah, at last!

Are you out ofyour mind?

What? It wasn't a real one,

I did it with my mouth!

Not that! I mean the bomb

against the Virgin Mary!

These damned Reds!

The country's had enough!

If we don't move quickly....

The explosion had avictim,..

..a certain Rambaldo Schiro.

- No!

He lost an arm

while manoeuvring the bomb.

- Bloody fool!

- Almost screwed us all!

- THURSDAYJUNE 5, 10:30 AM -

Moron!

Moron three times over!

I'd break his other arm, I would!

How did it happen?

Camerata Tritoni,

you're too severe.

Even so, he lost an arm

while carrying out his duty!

Gregarious and loyal heroism!

But how did it happen?

The fuse was defective.

Our Greek friends

are overproducing these days!

Look at him!

Fortunatelywe were able

to recover the arm,..

..otherwise we'd have been

up the creek,..

..as he was wearing a bracelet..

..with his full name on it!

The arsehole!

Nearly dragged us all into the shit!

Camerata Tritoni,..

..badly looked after as I am here,..

..under the surgical care

of Camerata veterinarian Nerino,..

..l am suffering terribly,

but two thoughts assail me:

..1) if I will be paid

as agreed upon; 2)....

You won't get a cent!

Come.

Camerata,

you are complaining about us,..

..but the media

are attacking the Reds,..

..and that's what we were after!

Yes, but Mazzante

has been banging at me!

And what did you reply?

I told him: "Mazzante,

you don't know Italians!"

"Now's the moment to exploit.."

"..the cowardice

of these bleating sheep.."

"..who're terrified the Reds

will take all they've got,.."

"..even if they've got nothing!"

"They're boiling,

we mustn't let them cool down!"

Historical dialogue!

What did he say?

Foryears we've been

building up our image..

..as defenders of order through

freedom and freedom through order!

That's the party line,..

..and we count on it

to win votes.

- We will win power!

- With a little Vaseline to help!

Vaseline!

To slip in more easily!

Strong argument!

Then what?

I told him: "Fuck the party line!"

"Action is what counts!

A handful of determined men.."

"..and the others will follow,.."

"..for ideals, for convenience

or out of fear."

"There, that's my line!"

"And I'll follow it

to the very end!"

- MONDAYJUNE 9, 11 :15 AM -

There.

Colonel,

your brother-in-law's calling.

[Tritoni, now openly in dissent,

dedicates himself to the realization..]

[..of his long-cherished project.]

Tritoni! Service number 12 F/25.

- At your orders!

- Good man!

In great form!

Like old times, eh?

You don't forget them, obviously.

Forget?

How could l? We were

two roaring tigers then,..

..respected and feared

by everyone.

But now... Just look at me.

Ulysses! Hurry up!

Since the Article 121

deprived us of batmen..

..l have to go shopping

like a damn housewife!

- We've come to that!

- Dear Tritoni,..

..rock bottom!

Don't you agree?

That's just what brings me here.

You must introduce me

to General Bassi Lega.

Bassi Lega?

Why do you want to see him?

- He's been in trouble since

the '68 events! - I know.

Accused of convincing

a group of officers..

..to support De Vincenzo's

misfired coup d'etat.

Exactly. How do you know?

That was strictly Top Secret.

Exactly. I know there's a list,..

..but not the names on it.

- Ssh!

Ulysses, how about some vermouth?

He votes communist.

Why don't you kick him out?

He's my brother-in-law.

Mywife teaches at high school,

I'm alone here, so he helps me.

Kick him downstairs, I say!

It was hard on the General!

Early retirement

on reduced pension,..

..with his phone tapped,

parliamentary inquiry...

Me too. Because I was his aide-de-camp

in '64, they didn't forgive me.

Even when I went shopping!

Sold out to democracy!

But they'll pay for it!

Revenge is a dish best eaten cold!

Well done, Ulysses!

But you still haven't answered me.

You want to see Bassi Lega

to get that list?

Your heaIth!

- SATURDAYJUNE 14, 10:00 PM -

[Thanks to Colonel Ribaud,

five days later..]

[..Tritoni

called on General Bassi Lega.]

- Do come in!

- May l?

- Daddy will be in immediately.

- Good.

- Take a seat.

- Thank you.

- Anything to drink?

- Yes, please.

A brandy?

Your heaIth!

- Haven't we met?

- Of course.

Yes, at "Gold

for the Fatherland" day.

A glorious occasion!

Excuse us, my dear,

we'll go into my study.

This way.

Excuse me, may I phone?

- Please, do.

- Thank you.

I'm sorry.

Hallo, Ciccio?

Tomorrow at dawn,

departure for Grosseto.

Speak Italian, damn it,

I can't understand!

Yes, don't worry,

in the Alfa Spider.

Yes, tomorrow evening

I'll be back in Rome.

Keep your trap shut!

No questions!

And if someone's listening in..

..he should know

that while he's being a filthy spy..

..his wife's having it off

with all the lads in the street!

What are you doing?

You gorgeous creature!

I'm going to screw you blue!

What are you up to?

You must be mad!

- Yes! Stark raving!

- My father's in there!

- Yes! Yes!

- Stop squirming, you cow!

- Wait a second...

- Open your legs!

There, that's the way!

Who's there?

- Cow!

- That's it! Yes, please, yes!

Take your clothes off!

- You beast! How I love it!

- Marcella!

My dear sir!

How dare you?

Under my roof!

Your Excellency!

Forgive me!

- We are soldiers...

- No!

You're no soldier!

You're a swine!

To outrage my only daughter!

Give me back that list of names!

Excellency,

I offer my apologies...

- I'm terribly sorry.

- Give me the list!

That's an order!

It's a matter

of national importance!

Indeed! That's why I can't trust..

..a bastard like you!

Let's not mix countrywith cunt!

Obey!

Oh, gosh!

Daddy!

- TUESDAYJUNE 17, 10:30 AM -

[The General was given a funeral in

keeping with his illustrious past,..]

[..if not with his present.]

[Among those present: the Doyen

of Italian Generals Pariglia,..]

[..Admiral Fontina,..]

[..General Bosisio,..]

[..an imposing delegation

from the General Staff,..]

[..a flock of Colonels,

including Ribaud,..]

[..MP's included Mazzante,..]

[..Simonacchio,..]

[..Carotone,..]

[..Undersecretary of Defence

Botolo..]

[..and industrialists:

Irnerio Steiner,..]

[..Aleppi, Pacenza,

Schianta, Socamillo,..]

[..Masticoni, Arranfa,

Arronca e Scippa,..]

[..known as "tiburtini" after the area

where they have factories.]

[The first name on Bassi Lega's list

is Colonel Furas.]

[An exceptional

military temperament,..]

[..in 1942 he was

the only Sardinian..]

[..to attend courses at HitlerJugend

Militarische Akademie in Bittenburg,..]

[..where he distinguished himself..]

[..in the celebrated

"Scheidenwangs" duels,..]

[..which left him

honourably scarred.]

- Do you agree, yes or no?

- Yes, yes, yes!

Et benedictio

Dei omnipotenti..

..in nomine Patris

et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

My dear Tritoni,..

..maybe between one ofyour

important missions and another,..

..would you have a moment to console

this poorwoman abandoned..

..in a mansion of sublime

and infamous memories?

Watch out,..

..ayes would disturb me

and a no would destroy me.

- What should I say?

- Nothing.

What brings us together is

my favourite tune: "The last post".

Personally, I find "Reveille"

much more inspiring.

A cruel destiny

brings us together,..

..with eyes too proud

to weep tears,..

..but with the heart

beating with emotion.

[Number2 on the list, Aguzzo,..]

[..invented a new system

for winding gaiters on the shins.]

[The introduction

of long trousers, alas,..]

[..upset his theories.]

[Nonetheless, he was much appreciated

at the Ministry of Defence.]

....those who are

dear to the gods.

The General Staff!

Sold out to democracy! Caution!

....grant that your former

companion in arms..

..have the honour to throw

a handful of that same soil..

..which you loved so much,..

..Italian soil,

nourisher of heroes!

Oh, my God!

- THURSDAYJUNE 19, 10:30 AM -

[Turzilli, third on the list, former

lancer of the Republic of Salo,..]

[..in 1941 was a cadet at the

Spanish Riding School in Vienna.]

[His passion for horses..]

[..led him to name his sons

after two famous charioteers:]

[..Diomedes e Phaeton.]

The pot has been boiling

since 1968!

Italy is sick and needs

an urgent surgical operation.

And our scalpel will be an axe! So,

Colonel, do you agree or not? Answer!

Just a moment,

let me get my breath!

I offer the allegiance

of my forest guards,..

..200 valiant men

ready to defend our poor Italy!

We'll turn this country

upside down!

I knew I could count on you!

We will clean up this land

once and for all!

- SATURDAYJUNE 21, 8:30 AM -

We'll only leave intact

its boot shape!

Furas, Aguzzo, Turzilli, Ribaud

and Falloppa are on our side.

Are you with us, Barbacane?

Goddamn it!

You're asking me

if I'm with you?

- Vac victis!

- What did you say?

- Vae victis!

- What does that mean?

It's Latin:

woe to the vanquished!

Latin? You can't even speak Italian!

It's the language of Caesar!

Well, then,

let's render unto Caesar....

We must stop

this country from rotting!

- Rot, no! Rout, yes!

- That's the spirit!

- You're a Roman after my own heart!

- 30 seconds, get ready!

Ready!

Come on!

Count on us!

We're 250 flying barracudas

ready to hop!

To hop? What do you mean?

To hop the twig!

To the last tree!

Come on, boys, jump!

The last to open his parachute..

..will get a free screw

with Marisa tonight!

The first!

Jump!

Come on!

Jump!

Come on, jump!

Come on!

[Having obtained

Barbacane's support,..]

[..which, seeing the courage..]

[..and preparation of his men,..]

[..will undoubtedly

prove decisive,..]

[..Tritoni's objective

seems to have been reached.]

[Almost all the big shots

of the 1968 list have accepted.]

Hey! Where are you going!

Open it!

- SUNDAYJUNE 22, 8:00 AM -

[But Tritoni

has not finished his recruiting.]

Position...

Aim!

Fire!

Fall in! Fall in!

- Salute!

- To us!

The watchword is one

and one only. It's categorical..

..and binding for us all.

Already it is spreading..

..and kindling hearts from the Alps

to the Indian Ocean! Conquer!

Conquer! Conquer!

Viva Mussolini!

Those words from avoice

more worthy than mine..

..tell you what the country

expects from you!

Very soon the reins of this unfortunate

land will be entrusted to you.

For our land needs reins,..

..the whip and the bit!

Order, obedience, discipline!

Let's forget the myth of equality!

Why should an engineer

be equal to a mason?

All they have in common

is their balls!

Bravo!

Because if that's democracy, then...

Musketeers,

shoulder arms!

Gunners,

light your fuses!

Engineers,

sabotage the enemy ranks!

Crocodiles, daggers between your teeth

and put paid to this democracy!

Destroy this lurid monster!

Long live obedience!

Long live authority!

You speak as good as Cissero!

To us!

How's my boy getting along?

I've put him

on latrine duty for3 days.

Quite right,

if he's as badly disciplined..

..as I was.

But what did he do?

He funked out of exercises.

I bet he was with a girl.

Like father, like son!

He was found in the woods

playing a guitar.

Tritoni Costanzo,

report for duty! Tritoni Costanzo,..

..report to the tent!

Tritoni Costanzo,

report for duty!

- Hallo, dad!

- Costanzino!

- Is it true you play that?

- Just a bit.

Just a bit? Isn't the gym drill

good enough foryou?

- I'm not made out for that.

- You are not made out for that?

Karate, target shooting...

it just isn't my scene.

I prefer reading, studying

and, above all, music.

- So drill isn't your scene, eh?

- I did try, dad,..

..but it hurts my knees,..

..and then the others tease me.

- Tease you?

- My son?

- They call me a queer.

A queer?

Beppe Tritoni's son?!

And it's not true, really!

They're morons!

My God! What a disgrace!

Don't you react?

- Daddy....

- Don't call me "daddy"!

Don't! "Daddy" to me,

imagine that!

l, who've always collected

the heartiest nicknames!

Tiger, Cudgel, Piston, Bazooka!

To hear that my son

has been called a queer,..

..and on the eve

of taking over power!

- You sonovabitch! Come here!

- Oh, gosh!

I'll break your guitar

on your skull,..

..l will, you arsehole!

[Now all the members

for the coup are ready.]

[But Tritoni knows

that this isn't enough.]

[That evening, his car stops..]

[..in front of Bassi Lega's home.]

Mission accomplished!

How about a screw for the shrew?

What a poetic humorist I am!

It's so good to see you!

I've got..

..monsignor Sartorello

in the other room. - Oh, great!

His visits have been

a great comfort these days!

[Monsignor Sartorello,

Military Chaplain,..]

[..more military than chaplain,

had been from 1960 to 1963..]

[..apostolic-military attache

of the Holy See in Washington.]

Mission accomplished?

I know all about it.

- All?

- All.

And I say: vis et animus!

Has everyone agreed?

Everyone

except that creep Cagliotti.

Colonel Cagliotti?

Yet he was so fond of daddy!

Yes, but now he's a General.

I should have known.

He said quite bluntly:

"What you ask me is against.."

"..my honour as a soldier."

"l have sworn allegiance

to the Republic."

But you used to think differently

a few years ago.

Anyhow, you're on the list.

- I was foolish then.

- You think you're smart now?

And my fist

was whizzing through the air!

I'm expecting his seconds

at any moment!

But it's the financing

that's worrying me.

Ah, yes? I thought you had

big business behind you.

- Have they all become socialists?

- No danger of that.

It's that they give money

to the party..

..and that's useless.

They should give it to me.

Like Steiner, for example,

the TV set magnate.

God strike him down!

Excuse me.

Ah, yes, Irnerio Steiner.

I think I know away,..

..to convince him.

- That would be great.

Well, we'll see what we can do.

I should make an urgent call.

Where is the phone?

l, too, have

an urgent call to make..

..concerning the matter

we just mentioned.

- Please, afteryou.

- Follow me, Monsignor.

- WEDNESDAYJUNE 25, 10:30 PM -

[On June 25,

Steiner gives a party..]

[..for his birthday.]

[The guests are welcomed

by Countess Amelia di Amatrice,..]

[..a friend

of the industrialist's..]

[..and chairwoman

of the "Patriot Mothers Committee".]

[She arranges a meeting....]

We must increase our armaments.

Countries which are

historically our inferiors..

..have their own missiles:

ground-to-air,..

..air-to-air, air-to-ground.

- Do you mean..

..we have no missiles?

- Yes, we have earth-earth missiles.

- Oh, I see.

- What I mean is "down to earth".

The new crime wave is due..

..chiefly to the excessive

media freedom.

The less people know,

the less they think.

Equality is only acceptable

amongst equals.

Freedom, after all, means..

..leaving the rich to be rich

and the poor to be poor!

A Republic, yes...

but with a king!

My dear Tritoni, at last!

Your absence was noticed.

Byyou, above all, I hope.

Always on the offensive,

how incorrigible!

Steiner's expecting you

in the library in five minutes.

Come, my dear.

- What can I offer you?

- Nothing for now, thank you.

Beppe, Beppe darling. I was

all alone with this old song..

..echoing a past that is no more!

A past of virile adventures

in foreign lands...

- Why did you disappear

the other night? - Mary Magdalene!

- What do you mean?

- Whore!

But why?

You know why!

The other night,

with that priest...

Surely you don't think that I'd....

A priest!

- What should I think, then?

- You're hurting me!

Not enough, you'll see!

- Ouch! - You were paying him

for helping me, eh?

- I don't know what you mean!

- Really?

And the one who came to the gym?

Who was he?

- You know Monsignor Sartorello?

- Just about.

You're in the Church, too, eh?

You want to force Steiner

to give you money?

- Are you from the CIA?

- You'll find in your pocket..

..some interesting documents

for your dealings with Steiner...

Not bad your Monsignor!

What kind of documents?

No business ofyours, cunt!

Ouch!

- It's your fauIt!

- Really?

Since you've reawaken

my sensual longings that night,..

..now you are in every man

I set eyes on!

My burning desire for you

reduces me to cinders!

Quickly! A bed! A divan!

Or even standing up!

- Wait...

- Where can we go? - Come.

Honourable Tritoni!

- You spoke to Steiner?

- Not yet.

Marcella, I leave you in good hands.

Prof. Pubis teaches Philosophy.

He's one of our brightest minds.

- Won't you join us?

- Excuse me.

- What can I do for you?

- Give us 500 millions.

Thank you.

[Steiner is in big business,..]

[..he's intelligent and smart..]

[..and much appreciated

in high places.]

I'll give you the same reply

I gave a colleague of yours..

..this morning.

I'm really sorry,..

..ifyou'd come yesterday,

you'd have been satisfied.

Why? Was there a third person?

- I dreamed of Giovanni Roncalli.

- Who?

- Pope John.

- John XXlll? - That's right.

He appeared on one of my 100.000

colour TV sets, which..

..for politics' sake have been unused.

He looked at me and said:

.."Antonino, give up politics.

Don't take sides."

'Incitement is a sin.

Pax! Pax!".

- You see, I'm a great believer.

- You'll understand if I tell you..

..that I dreamed of a tribunal.

You were in the dock

with General Bosisio.

There! A Photostat

which proves that..

..the General and you had supplied

the Italian army..

..with second hand transmitters

from American surplus..

..marked Volcan,

passing them off as new..

..and pocketing 10 billion!

- Ssh! Someone could hear us!

- But nobody's here!

- I always tape..

..my important conversations.

I don't think

I'll keep this tape.

This year

no pilgrimage to Portugal.

His Majesty's disappointed..

..in the royalists joining forces

with the Extreme Right.

Excuse me.

- My good friend, what's wrong?

Feeling sick? - No, yes.

Some bicarbonate?

I've got stomach ache.

You poor darling!

I'm so sorry!

Come with me,

I've got something.

Do come in!

- How did it go with Steiner?

- Great.

We see eye to eye.

I even think we can count

on General Bosisio.

A fine man,

but with a difficuIt nut to crack!

I've got something

that'll break him.

- SATURDAYJULY 5, 10:30 AM -

[Tritoni was right:]

[..his documents

are a shock for Bosisio.]

[At the sight of them,

his heart stops beating.]

[Officially,

the General suffered a stroke..]

[..while at work in his office..]

[..ThursdayJuly3.]

....but with the heart

beating with emotion.

Mourning becomes Marcella.

May l? Second Lieutenant De Fonzi.

An adventurer seafarer.

Well trained at steering

through stormy waters, I imagine.

....grant that your former

companion in arms have the honour..

..to be the first to throw

a handful of that same soil..

..which you loved so much,

and which....

How about him

to conduct the MilitaryJunta?

- But he's a second fiddle!

- Yes, but a great second fiddle!

....nourisher of heroes.

- Hold me up!

- Forget about it.

[The premature death of Bosisio..]

[..didn't change

the conspirators' plans.]

[ In order to prepare citizens

for the "new order"..]

[..the squadrons of Ciccio Introna

and Franz Cavicchia..]

[..plaster the city walls

with slogans thought up by Tritoni.]

- Come on!

- Hurry up!

- WEDNESDAYJULY9, 10:45 AM -

[Four days later, the principal

conspirators met secretly..]

[..at a seaside villa

lent by Countess di Amatrice..]

[..forwhat will be

a crucial meeting.]

[Colonel Ribaud

keeps the minutes,..]

[..which will later prove..]

[..invaluable evidence

of that meeting.]

Camerati, this meeting,..

..will go down in history

as the "June 14 assembly",..

..during which

a handful of patriots..

..decided to overthrow

the shameful regime..

..which had disgraced an Italy,..

..so recently restored to grandeur,..

..reducing her to be slave

of international communism.

I have the honour to introduce..

..the Deputy-Chief

of the Secret Service,..

..of the young and alreadyworthy

Hellenic Republic..

..who brings us good wishes,

Colonel Andreas Automatikos.

- What did he say?

- It's all Greek to me.

That's a funny one!

We must thank Colonel Automatics..

..for his significant proposals.

Once again, Rome and Athens

are side by side.

The famous Graeco-Roman wrestling...

In the certainty that

if our plan..

..should fail,

the generous Hellenic Republic..

..will offer us asylum and comfort

and cover our retreat.

Retreat? He's already

thinking about retreating!

He's backing off! Kill him!

Thanks to the unselfish help

of Mr. Steiner,..

..a man with a capital M,

an Italian to the marrow,..

..we possess sufficient means..

..to carry through our plan.

- Does anybodywish to speak?

- Me!

Colonel Turzilli!

I think it's necessary

to open the windows..

..orwe will suffocate

or die of heat.

Turzilli's motion

approved unanimously.

Ventilation. Let's carry on. We must

designate someone to operate the plan.

The qualities required:

broadmindedness, astuteness,..

..capacity

for tactical-strategic synthesis.

I wouldn't want

to seem forward, but....

Aguzzo seems to me the ideal man!

- Aguzzo, as sharp as his name!

- That's a funny one!

Now let's find a code name

for our operation.

- I propose or-pow.

- Or-pow?

The first syllables

of "order" and "power",..

..the synthesis of our credo,

or-der and pow-er.

Something more aggressive,

like "Shake Italy"!

- Shake Italy?

- Sh-ake It-aly.

Sh-It.

Rather risky, no?

Camerati! Black is our colour,

isn't it?

We must be as cunning as the fox,

so why not "Black Fox"?

- Perfect!

- Brilliant idea!

Black Fox motion approved!

Hon. Tritoni suggests we illustrate

our political platform..

..forwhen we take over

with concrete proposals.

Reintroduce the death penaIty!

Abolish free prostitution..

..and reopen the brothels

under government licence.

Regulate the sale of guitars!

We must renovate youth,..

..through the restoration

of old familyvalues.

New slogan for students:

"Speak when you're spoken to!"

Re-education under observation

for homosexuals!

Prolong military service

to improve virility and character!

Order and discipline

in bureaucracy, cinema and the arts!

Control over restaurant prices!

They're soaring to the sky!

The other night,

with mywife, for two steaks....

We'll also think about the steaks.

But now we need a name!

The name of a chief official..

..of the MilitaryJunta,..

..a man who can speak

to the majority,..

..the silent majoritywho are not

deaf to the Fatherland's cry,..

..who can proclaim the end..

..of the parliamentary regime

and the suppression..

..of antinational party politics....

- To the guillotine!

....and of unions!

- To the guillotine!

The Chief of the MilitaryJunta

will also have to win for us..

..the approval of foreign nations,

above all the U.S.A.

I know who: Federico Fellini!

No! Fellini has insulted Rome

in his films!

- Roma caput mundi!

- I have a brilliant idea:

..Warrant Officer Eliseo Tallone.

Is he still alive?

He must have been born in 1887!

I saw him at the Spa

last October.

He drank four glasses

straight off,..

..a rock! Lucid, energetic...

A true man of destiny!

Aguzzo, make contact

with Tallone, fix a meeting.

- To Tallone, hip hip....

- Hooray!

#The soup's boiling,..#

#..come and get it!#

Operation momentarily suspended.

Hosts are Miss Bassi Lega..

..and Monsignor Sartorello.

- Nice!

- Ourvivandiere!

A simple little snack.

- Honourable Tritoni...

- How are you doing?

- You came to give us

your benediction? - A military one.

With spumante!

I'm usually abstemious,

but this occasion...!

Delicious!

Long live the Armed Forces!

- To us!

- To the King!

- To our Royal Family!

- Long live the Navy!

- Long live the Engineer Corps!

- Long live the Cavalry!

Long live all corps!

Pure Italic grapes!

Hip hip hooray!

#Our great day has arrived!#

#The dark hours are over!#

#We're the wolves, we're the lions,

which the cannon awakens!#

Colonel Automatikos

proposes Colonel Barbacane,..

..with the help of the Countess's

schoolgirl Ancient Greek,..

..a truly martial

exchange of tributes.

[But an indiscreet camera eye..]

[..is focused on the proceedings.

Who is the photographer?]

Stop thief!

- Quickly, run! - But who is it?

- Don't ask questions, run!

- Quick! Quick!

- Bastard! HaIt!

Stop, you arsehole!

Stop him, you morons!

- What's going on?

- Somebodywas taking pictures.

ldiots! It must be a spy!

What were you doing?

I'm afraid he's got us!

- Did you get the number plate?

- Yes, here it is!

- THURSDAYJULY 10, 17:30 PM -

[The photographer turns out

to be a reporter, Armando Caffe.]

[The next day

he is anxiouslywaiting..]

[..outside the house

of the MP Luigi Di Cori,..]

[..a member of the Opposition,..]

[..who is at home

suffering from boils.]

[lmpatient to be received,..]

[..Caffe sends a message.]

Dear Luigi, I realize

that receiving a letter..

..from a gutter press reporter

like me..

..may arouse in you

suspicion and disgust.

But in the name

of the glorious past we shared..

..fighting side by side

during the Resistance..

..not to forget tumuItuous..

..journalistic

election campaigns, me..

..under the nickname

of Guillotine..

..and you with that of Pugachov....

- Is it ajoke? - I don't know,

he's waiting outside.

- Stop it!

- You're such a baby!

Dear old comrade,

I beg you to see me,..

..for mywhole existence

is at this moment exposed..

..to extreme danger.

Underlined twice.

Give me a benevolent nod

and I'll explain my reasons.

Ave, spes uItima.

Armandino.

I know what his reasons are:

in his pocket!

But this time....

Ouch! Damn it!

Poor creature!

Such astonishing literary effort..

..deserves a benevolent nod.

Armandino! How much?

In any case,

don't count on more than 10.000!

There's going to be

a coup d'etat!

- Is that all you can invent?

- Me invent?

Just listen to this:

yesterday I was..

..on the beach at Santa Severa

with a person whose name..

..you'll understand

I prefer to keep out of it.

I had asked her to pose

for some professional portraits..

..for a cuItural magazine.

Just stretch out languidly.

What are you up to?

What are you doing?

- Armando!

- Ssh! No names!

Wait for me!

Unbelievable! Armando!

That face I glimpsed..

..was not new to me:

..Andreas Automatikos, Deputy-Chief

of the Secret Services..

..of the Greek General Staff.

That joIted you, didn't it?

- Anybody here?

- Yes.

Excuse me.

Hidden behind the tamarisks,..

..l watched the arrival

at the villa..

..of a series of arrogant characters

among whomIrecognised..

..Hon. Tritoni,

then Colonel Furas,..

..Captain Teofilo Branzino,

Colonel Barbacane,..

..Colonel Aguzzo and others

whose names I know well.

It's all here,

all photographed.

- All here.

- All right, I'll change my offer.

Armando Caffe, say

that you invented this casserole..

..of highfaluting names

and tamarisks,..

..and instead of 10.000

I'll give you 20.000 liras!

Just get out.

Rina! Myjacket!

Five millions!

You'll tell the party..

..I'll hand the package over

for five millions,..

..cash on the nail!

Icould sell them

to "I'Espresso",..

..but I'd prefer to give

a political boost to the party.

Look me in the eyes.

I'd give them for nothing,..

..but I can't.

I have creditors at my neck.

Listen, I have a fever.

And, anyway,

how can I believe you?

Leave me the evidence and....

- And then you can send me to hell!

- That I can do now!

Mind your language, eh?

You don't trust me,

nor do I you!

It's a long time

since I could trust you!

- Those times are over!

- You shit, what do you mean?

So, bad language

is now permitted? Right.

You arsehole of an MP!

You think you can make judgement

from on high..

..now you're installed

as a Member of Parliament,..

..editor of a party paper....

- You're awretched nobody!

You're up to your neck in shit..

..because you neverworked!

- I haven't time to work,..

..l have to earn a living.

In the shit, I agree, but now at last

I have a chance to serve my ideals..

..and my pocket!

And God knows

how needy my pocket is!

I've an inner self

which demands satisfaction.

And I want to make him happy!

- FRIDAY JULY 11, 2:15 AM -

[That evening,

Armando was dawdling..]

[..at his usual bar..]

[..where he'd drunk 5 cognacs

and 7 grappas seeking consolation..]

[..for failing to convince

his ex friend.]

[But what happened to him

that night, was more convincing..]

[..for Di Cori

than all that bla bla bla.]

Oh, Jesus!

Help! Save me!

Help!

- What are you doing?

- Call the police!

- Quick! Go!

- Bastards!

Look what they've done!

Call the police!

An aeroplane costs

as much as a hospital,..

- SAME DAY, 10:30 AM -

..a tank costs the same

as 30 council houses,..

..the Nation spends

2.000 billions for the army,..

..but what about

the HeaIth Service? Schools?

Armed forces and automobiles

are our country's major investment....

- Bartocci! - Who's that?

- Get me Di Cori. - Who?

Di Cori! They've taken

a friend of his to hospital.

- TWO HOURS LATER -

[While Di Cori

now realizes that Caffe..]

[..was not inventing

the story of the conspiracy..]

[..a delegation of conspirators

is visiting..]

[..Warrant Officer Tallone

for his approval of the speech..]

[..written by Tritoni, which

will proclaim to the Nation:]

....freed from the tentacles

of so-called democracy, wounded..

..and betrayed but still alive

and indomitable, our Nation awakens!

Italians ofyesterday, today

and tomorrow, be prepared!

Let us gather united

under the glorious national flag!

We are sailing

towards exciting new horizons!

Beppe, your speech..

..gives me the quivers!

Goddamn it!

Notice how I've avoided

the rhetorical platitudes.

- Concise! Concise!

- It gave me an orgasm!

There is a...

There's a great past.

- You feel it. - There's the aroma.

- Penetrating!

Yes, there's a great past

in our future.

- Not a bad slogan, eh?

- I like it.

Excellent!

I'd put it at the end

of the proclamation.

Will sound good on TV!

I'm Honourable Tritoni

and this is Colonel Aguzzo,..

..who phoned you....

- Sure.

His Excellency is expecting you.

I'll tell him you're here.

- Brought back from Abyssinia?

- What are you talking about?

He has a southern accent!

He just painted his face.

That's clever ofyou!

I'm Cristiana,

the Officer's daughter.

- Mrs? - Unmarried. How do you do?

Daddywill be ready in a minute.

Excuse me,

but that gentleman....

Yes, Alfonso.

Daddy had brought back from Africa

his faithful Ambalou,..

..who died last January.

So as to avoid upsetting His

Excellency, at the age of86,..

..we hid the truth from him.

So Alfonso took Ambalou's place.

He makes a perfect negro.

Astonishing!

Didn't His Excellency

notice the substitution?

He has a simple heart

and doesn't suspect deception!

- Cristiana!

- Yes! Just a minute.

- Please, make yourself at home.

- Cristiana!

Here I am, daddy!

- Cristiana!

- What is it, daddy?

Cristiana! These are not

"Servicemen's Noodles"!

You know I only eat "Servicemen's"!

- Don't shout... - They're no good!

I won't eat them!

- Come on, they're good.

- I demand "Serviceman's Noodles"!

Watch out,

you're spilling them.

Is that your "rock"?

- Just look at him!

- Who could expect it?

- He's gaga. - If we must have

a gaga, we've got Pariglia.

He's still a prominent person!

You're such an idiot!

- SATURDAYJULY 12, 10:40 AM -

[Meanwhile, Di Cori

has been trying to reach..]

[..the secretary of his party

and the Premier.]

[But the former is in Piedmont

and the latter in Brussels..]

[..at an EEC summit.]

[It's Saturday. Rome is deserted.]

[Di Cori can only find

the Home Office undersecretary,..]

[..Ferlingieri, and the Socialist

Party secretary, Bertoni.]

[The three go in search

of the Home Secretary,..]

[..who is taking

a mud bath cure near Naples.]

When you find socialists

and communists on your doorstep..

..it never means good news.

Especially

if they're in agreement,..

..and even worse if a Christian

Democrat's with them!

I assure you

that coup d'etat plots..

..are not exactly

new to our ears.

You, Ferlingieri,

are from my party,..

..but, speaking objectively,

am I wrong?

There's always one boiling somewhere.

Just look at the sea!

What small frywe are

and how insignificant it all is!

That's whywe presume

to turn molehills..

..into mountains.

- Did you already know..

..about the plot

by Tritoni and his crowd?

I'm an undersecretary

at your Ministry and I knew nothing!

Pardon!

You know what I think?

I suspect that you want..

..to drop a firecracker

with the revelation of this coup,..

..which seems such a farce,..

..to help your own political front.

If you want a minister..

..to become electoral agent

of the Opposition,..

..it's really too much.

You surprise me, Ferlingieri!

I wouldn't want

to let the Opposition..

..reap the benefits

of discovering the plot.

That's why I'm here.

I'll tell the Premier tonight,..

..as soon as he returns

from Brussels. - Meanwhile,..

..you take the measures

in your power.

Give us the guarantees we ask for,

otherwise on Monday..

..we'll tell the Chamber how you

tried to minimise the conspiracy.

In which case Parliament

will draw its own conclusions.

A demagogic assertion and an unfair

accusation. I don't deserve them.

But I will do as you request.

Give me time until Monday.

But, believe me,

the whole story is a farce.

So was the March on Rome,

but it ended badly..

..chiefly thanks

to people like you.

[ In spite of Li Masi's promises,..]

[..Di Cori, Ferlingieri

and Bertoni are far from tranquil.]

[If they only knew

that operation "Black Fox"..]

[..has already entered

its first stage..]

[..and will go into action

in two hours!]

- SAME DAY, 7:30 PM -

General...

Aguzzo! Sum up everything

for Colonel Automatikos!

Summing up: operation "Black Fox"

will begin at H-hour,..

..that's to say, one hour

and 55 minutes from now.

- 54 minutes!

- Thank you!

There are two phases. 1)..

..raids by small

specialised squadrons..

..to the TV headquarters, the

airports and the telecommunications.

The first raid will be known

by the code name of "Falcon".

Togetherwith a handful

of my barracudas,..

..coordinated with the clandestine

centre at Grottacelata,..

..I'll parachute into the sea

near the Tiber estuary.

Taking them by surprise,

within 14 minutes and 30 seconds..

..you will secure control

of the international airport..

..and send up ayellow flare

to signal: "mission accomplished".

Colonel says yellow indicates

"epidemic on board".

Make it black,

then nobodywill see it!

Don't translate.

Make it white! Let's go on.

All aboard for "Falcon".

I return to my battle post.

- And the fiesta begins!

- Bravo! - Viva!

After the white flare,

the "Electra" squadron,..

..under the command of Cavicchia,

already in position,..

..will detach the high tension

cable of Station No.2..

..to allow the saboteurs

to cut the telephone lines..

..and thus isolate the capital.

Estimated time: 1'50".

- What time is it?

- Dinner time.

Under the circumstances

we must make do with a sandwich.

I meant how long

has passed since H-hour!

Exactly 16 minutes and 20 seconds.

At that very moment,..

.."Pegasus"

arrives from Grosseto,..

..led by Colonel Furas,

who, with 30 motorised men,..

..will occupy

the premises of TV,..

..from where General Pariglia,

chief of the MilitaryJunta,....

- Present! - ....will launch

his appeal to the Nation.

Thank you!

- Turzilli!

- Yes!

One step backwards:

exactly... 10 minutes after....

A step forwards, then!

....Colonel Turzilli's

forest guards,..

..under the code name of "Hippogryph",

have left their base..

..to occupy the Flaminio stadium.

The Colonel asks if the stadium..

..is an essential centre.

- Certainly, it will be..

..the ideal camp for prisoners..

..who will have been rounded up

by ouryoung scouts....

....disguised as Carabinieri

and under my command.

This is the black list

of people to be arrested.

The most dangerous subjects:

politicians, union leaders,..

..Jews, journalists, foreigners

and queers. - Go ahead, camerata!

We'll break their skulls!

The last phase, the most delicate:

the attack from the sea.

- Over to you, Walrus!

- Walrus present!

At exactly 11 :45 pm,

you and your pigs....

Really, such language

in front of outsiders!

I can't stand you anymore! The "pigs"

are the special landing craft.

- Oh, right.

- We'll use rubber dinghies..

..because it's not deep enough

for pigs.

Taking advantage of the darkness,

we'll surprise the guards..

..and capture the President....

....at his summer residence.

- Take him dead or alive.

- Good luck!

- Follow me!

- That concludes phase 1.

Phase 2 involves

the intervention of our troops..

..according to the tactics

established by our colleague Falloppa.

As the proclamation is read

on TV, our forces will converge..

..on the capital entering it

from West, South, East and North,..

..occupying ministries, barracks

and other strategic points.

Time employed by both phases starting

from H-hour: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

- Hip hip hip....

- ....hooray!

- What's he gabbling?

- It's Greek. - Let's hurry up!

General, how's it going?

....freed from

the entwining tentacles..

..of so-called democracy,

wound --

- ....wounded and betrayed....

- ....our Nation awakens!

- ....with eyes too proud..

..to weep tears..

..but with the heart

beating with emotion!

General, but that's

your funeral oration!

[While the "Hippogryph" detachment

arrives at the city gates,..]

[..near the

"osteria del Frascataro",..]

[..General Pariglia is rehearsing

the last lines of his speech..]

[..and getting ready

to leave for the TV studios,..]

[..where he will await action.]

....under the glorious..

..national flag, Italians,

there's a great future..

..in our past!

- No, General!

There's a great past

in our future.

- Isn't it the same thing?

- No! - Yes!

There's some interference, Colonel.

There must be a factory

or a power station nearby.

- It's H-hour! Move on!

- 5, 4, 3, 2....

- 9:30 pm! - One second early!

- To hell with that!

- Call Grottacelata!

- Yes, sir!

Wavelength: 415, kilocycles: 122,4.

Can you hear me?

415.

Kilocycles: 122,4. Over.

- "Black Fox" speaking. Who are you?

- Grottaferrata speaking,..

..I'm ready, are you ready?

- Aguzzo, it should be..

..Grottacelata, not Grottaferrata.

- Trivialities! Everything's fine.

Anyway, it's Grottacelata

and not Ferrata. Wake up!

It's 9:31 pm,

give us the connections!

- Okay, but keep calm!

- Calm?

- With my foot in your arse!

- You're getting nervy!

You're not Fischer playing chess!

DD3 in G3. I repeat: DD3 in G3.

Over and hold. Say "okay".

Okay. DD3 in G3.

Here "Black Fox" to "Falcon".

- "Falcon", answer!

- Here "Falcon". I'm listening.

Launch DD3 in G3.

I repeat: in G3.

Okay, "Black Fox",

received. Over and out.

DD3 in G3, get ready!

All right, my dirty ducks,

ready for a good bath?

A nice swim and we'll reach

our objective!

DD3 in G3. We're already

overhead! Slow down!

Slow down, for God's sake!

Out with you! Come on! Out!

But that's not the sea!

- Lieutenant, where have we landed?

- In a chicken pen!

But where did they launch us?

Where's the bloody airport?

Fall-in! Fall-in!

Let's get out!

Keep together! Lieutenant,

keep us covered behind!

Hey, it bites!

FiIthy beast,

it'll spoil everything!

Shoot! Go on, shoot! Shoot!

You bloody idiot!

That's the flare to signal..

..that we've occupied the airport..

..and that the saboteurs

go into action!

But that's the only pistol

I've got!

Here Pl A3, call "Electra".

Can you hear me? Signal white flare,..

..say "okay".

- Here "Electric", okay for okay.

How did you manage so quickly?

My action planned for 11 :00 pm.

- Why this anticipation? Over.

- We're not sitting on our laurels.

- Say "okay"! Over and out.

- Okay for okay!

[Meanwhile, Furas's column

is entering the city.]

- What have you done?

- It just stopped!

What happened?

Are you blind?

- Quick, a phone!

- Get off!

I must call the Command,

immediately!

- MEANWHlLE.... -

[Keeping to the established plan,..]

[..the saboteurs Delle Chiaviche

and Bortolin..]

[..are climbing up the pylons

of Station No. 2..]

[..to cut the high tension cables

and thus interrupt..]

[..the electric supply to the phone

system and cut communications..]

[..with the rest of the country.]

Mum, I won't be home

before three.

Work is work, after all!

Let me talk to the kid.

- Have you given him

his suppository? - No, nothing doing.

- Here, talk to him.

- Mummy's darling!

- It hurts! - It's good foryou.

- No, it hurts!

- Then grandmawill buyyou

a lollipop. - You'd better tell her.

Yes, I'll tell her.

Now sing me that song, come on!

#A little white doggy

was wagging its tail..#

#..towards the....#

Towards what?

- #....towards the sun....#

- Official duty!

Okay, honey. Let me speak to grandma.

Don't forget the suppository.

- Wish me good luck.

- Good luck!

- I'll let you go now, there's

official duty. - What? - No idea.

Colonel, some cappuccino?

Another cappuccino!

- Hallo, Aguzzo? It's me, Furas.

- No names!

I'm "Black Fox", you're "Pegasus".

Use passwords,..

..and discretion!

- We're in a cafe,..

..passwords unusable.

Anticipated blackout..

..causing serious upset.

Our driver is in a bad way.

Numerous injured people. Vehicles

out of action. Operation suspended.

Are you mad? We'll investigate

reasons for blackout anticipation.

But, while waiting. carry on!

General Pariglia is waiting

at TV headquarters.

Everything depends on broadcasting

the proclamation to the Nation.

Obeyyour orders immediately!

Requisition other cars,..

..by force, if necessary!

Sardinia is watching you!

Get me "Electra".

- Damn it! Let me hear!

- Here "Electric", over and out.

- I'm just starting! Who are you?

- "Electric"! - Your name!

- I'm supposed to be anonymous.

Over. - Get me Cavicchia.

Where is he?

Get him!

Justified absence: acute

appendicitis and a high fever.

- I'll replace him. Over.

- Schiro! I recognized you,..

..you idiot! Why did you

shut it down ahead of schedule?

I received orders

through the white flare. Over.

Just wait till I break

your other arm. Switch on!

- I give you my okay.

- You give me what? - My okay.

[The sudden return

of electric power provokes..]

[..disastrous consequences

among which the unexpected..]

[..illumination of the stadium.]

There's the watchman!

- Do you have a permit?

Who are you? - We're looking for....

- Are you shooting a film?

- More or less. - A war film?

- War and love!

- Who's the star?

- Lollobrigida.

- I remember her! Not bad.

- Where is she?

- Look, he won't leave us alone.

- We'd better shut him up!

- I don't get it. What kind of....

The General will be on TV

any moment now.

Wait for it!

New York. Today at 4:30 pm....

Keep calm.

Everything will be fine.

- Relax!

- ....Mrs Indira Gandhi said....

[At the same moment,

Branzino's "marines" were landing..]

[..on the beach of the President's

summer residence.]

Everything according to plan.

In ten minutes, while Falloppa

is moving in by land,..

..we'll have

encircled the President!

Forward, and in silence!

There's a great tentacle

in our future.

- Is that right?

- Yes, well, almost.

- Your Excellency! - Colonel,

I've been waiting a long time!

An unforeseen event,

but the situation's under control.

- Who's paying?

- Italy! - What do you mean?

- I want my money!

- What about a requisition permit?

- I want my money!

- Why should I pay?

I've already paid

for two cappuccino!

That ends our programmes for today.

They resume tomorrow at 11 :00 am..

..with the Holy Mass.

Ladies and Gentlemen, good night!

What do you mean "good night"?

You cow!

- Rip out the wires!

- Cameras! Quickly!

General Pariglia

has to speak to the Nation!

- But the whole network is closed!

- Open it up again!

This is a coup d'etat!

- Are you ready, General?

- Let us gather around..

..the future tentacles!

- So? - If you wish,..

..but every TV set in Italy

is turned off!

- When do the programmes begin again?

- Tomorrow at 11 :00 with the Holy Mass.

Watch out! Let's get out!

We're buggered!

Everything's buggered!

Forwant of a nail

the shoe was lost.

If you're a true soldier,

you know what to do.

- What?

- Shoot your brains out!

- Me? But the plan was his!

- Wait a minute.

- Both ofyou, then.

- My plan was strategically..

..impeccable. It's the execution

of it that didn't work out.

- Who's that? - Police!

We're betrayed! The bastards!

Save the maps!

They're not joking!

Nobody move! Hands up!

Military police!

- Where's the Honourable Tritoni?

- Not here, look for him!

- Perrotti, have you looked

in there? - There's nobody.

- Go and get the others!

- Come on!

- Quickly!

- Me, I'm just a pensioner.

[ In spite of everything,

inexplicably, the three MP's..]

[..who had revealed the plot

are stopped by the police..]

[..on a trivial pretext.]

Has the supplementary

licence fee been paid?

Look, officer,

the gentleman is an MP,..

..a colleague. I am Home Office....

- I see...

We're just checking.

We're doing our duty,..

..and nobody's exempt.

- I didn't ask you..

..to ignore your duty,

but, please, hurry up!

- Your lD, please.

- Bywhat right?

Don't aggravate him.

We've alreadywasted time!

This is sheer madness!

Watch your language.

Nobody's mad here.

Certainly. But we've

urgent matters in Rome.

One thing at a time.

You MP's should know that.

Spare us your comments,

which could get you in trouble.

Threats, eh? Remember

I'm a policeman on duty.

And an insolent one!

You're making us

waste precious time!

Gentlemen, follow me, please.

- What for?

- Offending public officials!

- MEANWHlLE AT THE PRESlDENT'S.... -

Who's there? HaIt!

[But nothing could stop

Commander Branzino,..]

[..who has reached

his destination,..]

[..the President's residence.]

- We must see the President!

- The President?

- Show us the way!

- He's not receiving!

He's convalescing

from bronchitis....

Mister President,

this is a coup d'etat.

Who are you?

General Alceo Pariglia

has just announced it on TV.

A MilitaryJunta

has taken power.

Pariglia? On TV?

When?

We've occupied

the city's strategic points.

What's going on?

Must be Falloppa's detachment.

You are deposed.

Come with us, please.

Our cannons..

..are aimed at this objective.

- But, Mr Urbini...

- Remember..

..a certain Dollfuss. Follow us

oryou'll end up like him.

HaIt, everybody!

Mister President,

we've arrived in time!

We've arrested

the leaders of the insurrection.

The interruption of communications..

..prevented us

from consulting the Premier..

..in Brussels,

but the State is now safe,..

..thanks to the strategic

positioning of the armed forces..

..who have occupied the capital.

Who's responsible

for these follies?

He will not escape us,

Mister President.

We'll bring him to you here.

- SUNDAY JULY 13, 4:00 AM -

- 4:25 AM -

- Goddamn it!

- Who's there?

- I'm hunted like awild animal!

- What's going on?

- You're wet through. What happened?

- Forget it.

A cruel destiny

has overtaken me.

- Everyone arrested!

- Don't say that! Courage, darling!

- Marcella! - Beppe! - Onlyyou

can save me from adversity!

You, adorable creature.

Come, let's flee together!

- Theywon't get me!

- No, theywon't get you!

The hour of revenge will come!

The lion will roar again!

Quickly! A haversack, a sleeping bag,

a false passport! To Athens!

- Yes! To Athens! - Even

if it means highjacking ajet!

- To Athens! - To Athens, yes!

- There they are!

What's going on?

Come out and follow us!

As an MP I claim

parliamentary immunity.

As a man I resent

your lack of tact.

I swear that I spent

the night in this bed,..

..with this lady, didn't l?

- Yes, he did. - See?

Who's that?

Cavicchia? So that's what

your appendicitis was! You shit!

- Take them all away!

- Bitch!

- 5:10 AM -

Where are you taking me?

If I'm to be shot,

I demand a priest,..

..as long as it's not

Monsignor Sartorello. - Quiet!

- Last cigarette? - No, there are

three more. - Go to hell!

I leave them to you.

Come in.

There he is!

....let us gather

around the national tentacles.

Colonels,

was this your chief?

- Yes or no?

- Yes!

- This sonovabitch! - He was

the brains of the operation!

Don't try to save your skins

at my expenses!

If we're up to our necks in shit,

you're in it with me!

This illuminating exchange

ofviews is enough to justify..

..the measures taken:

the intervention of the troops..

..and the timely blocking..

..of Di Cori,

Ferlingieri and Bertoni,..

..who were more than determined

to profit from this attack..

..on our institutions to increase

chaos and ferment uprisings.

No! I insist

that you have gone too far!

They're only a handful

of mediocre subversives who tried..

..a coup d'etat but by such ridiculous

means that it could only end..

..in a farce. - No!

- It is also true that....

But Mr President! The March on Rome

also began as a farce..

..and ended badly.

What won't be farcical..

..is the Left's reaction

during the next 24 hours.

One moment!

The tape recorder.

I want all this taped!

Such is the wretched outcome

of the policy of two extremisms!

Mr President, that silent majority,

now implacably martyred..

..has reached the end of its tether

and demands social peace.

Exceptional measures have to be taken

and the present government..

..is incapable of action.

It should resign immediately!

Parliament should be dissolved..

..and a government

of experts appointed..

..while waiting for less troubled

times. - You're out ofyour mind!

You want to abolish

constitutional practice!

First of all I must consuIt

the Speakers,..

..and summon the State

and Defence Councils..

..to examine

the urgent measures to be taken..

..against this... riff-raff.

Fortunately they are not

representative of the Armed Forces..

..ofwhich you, General,..

..are both the emblem

and the caricature.

Otherwise, my dear Minister,

to avoid one coup d'etat,..

..or two as you say,

we will get a third!

Oh no, don't say such things!

We are deeply upset!

Our greatest hope is in legality.

Mr President!

Once the measures we ask for

have been taken..

..there will be a slow but significant

political transformation.

- Infinitely durable.

- Durable and beneficial.

Quite painless.

And to think that I'd have put

bridles to the country in 24 hours!

Stop this! I forbid you to say

such disgraceful things!

I'd rather resign,..

..than permit the dissolution

of Parliament. Never!

But that's the end of democracy!

Nobody move

orwe'll all blow up!

You think you've buggered me, eh?

If you'd listened to me,..

..by now the President'd be out..

..and we'd have a MilitaryJunta

for government. It's the President..

..who has buggered you,

leaving your arses bare!

Tritoni, don't make your situation

worse. Hand over that object!

Shut up

oryou'll get it in the balls!

My God!

Dismayed though we may be

by this tragedy..

..we can't help recognising

the catharsis it has produced in us.

The obstacle has removed itself.

The Nation has learned..

..of its President's death

with unanimous distress.

It was sudden..

..but serene. In memory

of the Head of State..

..there will be

three days of mourning.

The provisional President

has authorised..

..a caretaker government

with former Minister Li Masi..

..as Premierwho has promised

emergency measures..

..to keep public order

which of late was disturbed..

..by the behaviour of extremist

and antinational groups.

Members of subversive organizations

have been arrested..

..in accordance with the new police law.

According to a spokesman

for the Home Office, new elections..

..will be held as soon

as the situation is normal.

The secretary of the Rightist Union,

deputy Mazzante,..

..has given his party's

unqualified support..

..to the caretaker government. At

the first meeting of the new Cabinet..

..approval was given to a bill..

..of the new Employment Minister

Antonino Irnerio Steiner,..

..which will regulate

the right to strike..

..and propose penaIties for offenders

against the country's economy.

- ONE YEAR LATER -

Here's the news: The celebration

of the 1st anniversary..

..of the advent of the new regime

in our country took place..

..with a parade in the lmperial

Forum, where the garrisons..

..stationed in the capital, symbol

of the restored order and discipline..

..received the grateful and

affectionate applause of the crowd.

Vogliamo i colonnelli (1973) - full transcript