Original subtitles

Vultures over the City.

- Hello. - Hi.

Good to see you've tidied things up like I told you.

Somebody shot Niarchos, the oil tychoon?

Weird. With all that money, he seemed near untouchable.

Yeah, well, so much for that.

- When will you hire that secretary? - Are you crazy?

- I can barely afford the cleaning lady. - Of course.

I'm familiar with that myth of the writer or journalist, always after the big story...

- ...and without a penny to his name. - You think this is a joke?

By the way, I need a certain rich biologist to give me another loan.

- We should be business partners. - No, please, don't waste your salary.

Otherwise, whom would I borrow from?

Hello? Yes, this is he.

Alright. Goodbye.

- Strange. - Who was it?

A woman. Very good-looking, too. She wants to meet me right away.

I'll come with you, then.

I thought you said you were not the jealous type.

Well, you always say I'm bluffing all the time.

- No, thanks. I don't smoke. - My husband used to smoke these.

"Used to"? You said your husband was missing.

Or do you already know that he's dead?

- Brandy? - Yes, please.

I don't know anything, Mr. Spensieri.

All I know is that Joseph has disappeared.

He left for his office, like he did every morning, two days ago.

But he never made it.

- Why haven't you notified the police? - No. I don't want them in this.

You knew my husband. His habits, his friends.

I'd like you to investigate. A journalist knows how to get around.

And you're known as quite the meddler.

- Why, thank you. - You're welcome.

Still, this is a matter for the police.

What makes you think I'll accept the job?

You write in the amount.

But do try to find out where my husband is.

Well, that's that.

- No signs of a virus. - And yet, children keep dying.

Children die because the medical system is inadequate and medieval.

Absolutely. Everyone knows that, except for the politicians.

- By the way, are the samples here yet? - No. The airlines are on strike.

- A police car is bringing them. - That's good.

It seems like an irony of nature that innocent creatures should die...

- ...in such a decaying society. - Doctor, someone's on the phone for you.

Hello?.. Yes, this is she.

But can't you put the prosecution off?

But...

I understand.

That medication has already killed three people, attorney!

No, they can't just get away with it!

Yes, alright.

Okay, see you at the trial.

Goodbye.

Let them prosecute the multinationals! We'll all end up convicted of libel.

I know just what to say to the judges if the DA is not convincing.

No, I better do it myself.

Getting locked up because of your impulsiveness is the last thing we need.

- I'm all done here. - Thanks.

"Thanks" my ass!

Wait.

- Two months, right? - Three!

Three.

You could pay me next month in advance. Just in case.

Alright.

- Happy? - Thank you!

Hello?

Oh, it's you, Theo. Where have you been?

Where? I'll be right over.

- Mark! - What?

That guy they just fished out... I think he may help your investigation.

- A friend of yours, Spensieri? - Never seen him before.

This city smells terrible. There's far too many dead bodies.

The economic boom is over even for the underworld.

The fight keeps getting tougher.

It's like there are too many rats on one pie.

Oh, Theo, I'd like to ask you for something.

I want to see the pictures that were taken during the refinery opening.

As many as you can find.

Most of them were mine.

- Bottled water, huh? - Wine is fattening.

But you don't have that problem. Your figure looks better every day.

Back when my father was alive, we only drank wine on special days.

Your father must have been a very classy man.

That Niarchos man... I read he's not your average celebrity.

He's had brushes with the law, but the police never got their hands on him.

The history of top-level mafia is full of guys like Niarchos.

They're just too smart to get caught by the law.

Until the day that a bullet shot by God-knows-who...

takes them from the smart crowd to the dead crowd.

There's always a smarter guy somewhere.

By the way, how's your research going?

Bad, thank you.

Okay, I'm going to get changed. I'm going to the office.

- Ciao. - Ciao.

- Do you know who the other people are? - Jacques Trillat.

Owns several shipyards on the Mediterranean.

Often linked, though without proof, to the Marseilles mafia.

Mike Haddon. A big bug. Maltese. Has a Liberian passport.

Oh, attorney Bender! Who doesn't know him?

The one on the left is the president of a multinational. The name's Forkas.

- And this is Joseph Marciano. - That's right.

Doesn't he remind you of anyone?

Come on. I'll show you.

- Look at his hair. - I think you're right.

It would be the greatest move by a journalist ever.

- Winning $20,000 in just three days. - So you think Marciano killed Niarchos?

It's too soon to assert that. According to the forensic's brief...

the shot was fired from a great distance.

With a sniper rifle. From a nearby roof.

- What's on your mind? - This is a matter for the police.

I'm going to pay a visit to the fascinating widow.

Who may not be so widowed after all.

- This man is not my husband. - Are you certain?

You heard me. My husband is in France, on a business trip.

He... He phoned me only last night. He said he was doing fine.

- I'm sorry about this, madam. - Thank you.

- You made me look like a fool. - Something here doesn't quite fit.

You're the one who doesn't fit, Spensieri. Of all the places in the world...

I'll never know why you had to come here to play journalist.

You always get mixed up in the strangest things.

Wait here.

Hey, Mr. Journalist! Come in!

I'm glad to see you, but I don't think you came just to visit me.

- Always after some story, right? - Well, I was in the neighborhood...

and I thought "Hey, old sly Mike is just two blocks away".

- "Maybe he'll treat me to some whisky". - And right you were.

Good taste of you to prefer my whisky over that of the bar downstairs.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

It's great!

- What brings you here, Mark? - Some very nasty business.

Perhaps you've heard about the murder of that oil billionaire.

Niarchos?

That's nasty business alright. Terrorism is taking over this city.

Right. It's like there's no respect for the laws anymore.

All it takes is a sniper rifle and... Boom!

For a journalist, you're not good at imagining things.

The police were already here. You're late.

Nah, I just came here for a whisky, or maybe a chat with your partner, Marciano...

in case any of you knew anything about this dreadful business.

The office is closed. There's no-one there, and Joseph Marciano is abroad.

- You knew that already. - Hey, your word is good enough.

If I can help you with any other piece of news...

- ...for that book you're writing. - Thanks. Great whisky.

I'll come again once your partner has returned from his trip.

Be my guest. You know there's always a drink waiting for you here.

- Thanks. Ciao. - Goodbye.

- I wonder what they were after. - Your wallet, maybe.

They must have heard that you won all that money.

Let's go.

I love you, Mark.

How much do you love me, Isela? As much a year ago, when we first met?

So much more.

This was a wonderful anniversary.

Yeah, but it would have been even better if you stayed out of trouble.

You know I have to do this story for my American paper.

- And after that, I'll use it in my book. - Of all the plots a novel could have...

- ...you had to pick the most dangerous. - Why do you say that?

I don't think I'm in any more danger than a biologist...

fighting viruses.

- Mr. Spensieri, I already told you-- - Mrs. Marciano...

Why did you deny identifying your husband's body?

And why have you refused to see me? What are you afraid of?

Let's make this short: I already told you, my husband is abroad.

You're lying. And that's a very dangerous game.

Isela!

Well, after all, the judge has the final say.

Let's just wait and see the outcome of the prosecution. Goodbye.

Good day.

- And? How's that coming along? - Couldn't be worse.

Pharmaceutical multinationals are really powerful.

- There's no point in fighting them. - Are you surprised?

My, look who's there!

Doctor, my regards. Good morning, Spensieri. How do you do?

- Good morning. How are you? - I just spoke with attorney Bender.

He confirmed that Mr. Marciano is, in fact, abroad.

He insists that you should leave his client alone.

And he chose the foremost authority to tell me this.

My dear Spensieri, our Sheriff is not thrilled about your activities.

He's always more likely to bump into you than to avoid you.

You may be on my good side, Spensieri, but you are not on the Sheriff's.

- Understand? - Oh, yes, of course.

- Anyway, just be cautious. Right, Doctor? - Yes, sir.

Good day. My regards.

- Goodbye, sir. - Good day.

We're here.

- That's our table. - You made a reservation?

- Do you like it? - It's a very nice place.

- Fine wine. - You didn't miss a thing!

Wonderful!

- How is it? - Terrific.

I actually didn't expect all this from you.

That widow... It's amazing.

She gives you a job, she writes you a check... and then she vanishes.

If she has vanished, I suspect it's against her will.

Someone's very keen on keeping her quiet.

Attorney Bender, for example. And I should look for her...

- ...to learn more about Marciano's death. - Okay.

I believe Marciano's death is directly linked to Niarchos'...

- ...and therefore. - Mark, please.

Stop talking about that horrible affair.

- Tonight was supposed to be fun. - You're right, I'm sorry.

It's just that this case is getting so complicated...

Yeah, and our relationship will get complicated too, if you keep this up.

- Is that clear? - As you wish.

- They're still in there. - You keep your eyes open.

I'm going to get some rest.

We'll call from a payphone. Our telephone may be tapped.

- What about Mrs. Marciano? - She just won't answer.

I don't suppose you have fire insurance.

We'll take the bus.

- Can I help you? - This is none of your business.

Step aside.

Have you no manners?!

Cut the crap, Haddon. Do you want us to bring you flowers?

Please, gentlemen. We're civilized people.

Mr. Haddon, my client wishes to settle this matter in a friendly way.

You mean the lawsuit? Are you kidding me?

My partner's just been fished out of a river, and you know who killed him!

Accidents happen. Just like poor old Niarchos, with a bullet...

in his forehead, which we all know who shot.

The score's 1-1. It was a friendly match.

And we want to settle this unpleasant deal in an equally friendly way.

- We hold 50% of Marciano's stocks. - As a token of good will, Mr. Haddon...

- ...you should give the rest to my client. - What?!

Easy. Easy.

Mr. Haddon, drugs and cigarettes and prostitution and kidnapping...

provide enough for all the big and small fish in your organization.

Now, oil...

Oil becomes taboo since it was decided that all competition...

on the Mediterranean must be wiped out.

My client, Mr. Trillat, has full authority to discuss and settle this business.

You don't scare me, Trillat! And neither do these people!

If you're up for a dance...

then I'll see you around, Haddon. Let's go.

Hello?

I hope that jackass reaches a settlement.

I don't think so. Check our tail.

Faster, you idiot! Shake off those bastards.

Step on it!

Faster, come on!

Step on it!

Watch out!

Watch out for that truck!

I think it's about time we get rid of those mobsters.

We're supposed to watch our steps. You seem to have forgotten that, Trillat.

So should I let them kill me, like Niarchos?

We need to be calm and relaxed, my friend.

Bastards! They'll pay for this.

It's no use. Mr. Haddon's answering machine says he's away...

and that his office will remain indefinitely closed.

I don't understand.

But I do.

- Haddon is afraid. He's hiding. - Can you blame him?

They killed his partner and four of his men.

And they blew up six trucks and a factory.

If I could talk to him, I'd find something else.

But how do I get to him? He and Denise are in danger.

I admit you're a journalistic genius, but how do you plan to find them?

Oh, that's easy!

This city, like every big city in the world, has eyes and ears.

It can hear and see.

All you need is to find the right person.

Hello?

Who?

Just a second. Mark.

It's for you. Someone named Cullen.

Yeah? Tell me.

That's great. You'll find the money in the usual place. Bye.

The city's eyes and ears?

Hold it.

How did you know I was here?

A little bird told me.

- You're lucky I wasn't the cops. - What do you want with me?

Just a chat. I want to know why Niarchos, Marciano and the others died.

Easy, boys! He's a friend. Journalist.

- And you shouldn't lie to a friend, right? - Want a drink?

No, thanks.

You want to know too many things, journalist.

Who began hostilities?

Who was it?

Trillat!

Spensieri.

- Good morning. - Take a seat, Spensieri.

Thanks.

It seems you've mistaken our city by Chicago's slums.

Actually, your Excellency, you're not the first one to give me that.

This is no joke. Bear in mind, your stay in this country is fragile as it is.

Why were you in that cabaret? Why the shootout?

I think there's something very big behind all this.

Thanks, but we don't need you to tell us there's a war between the Mafia...

- ...and the Marseillese. - Let him talk.

Go on. Go on, Spensieri. Tell me...

What have you found that's big enough to justify your being in the shootout?

The war between the Mafia and the Marseillese is just a front.

- What do you mean? - The motive, your Excellency.

The reason for all this fighting.

Everybody wants a cut. From drugs to prostitution. That's the motive.

And, just like in Marseille, it happens in Genoa, Naples... and now here.

- Those are just meaningless details. - Mr. Spensieri, if you know anything...

you must tell us. A journalist must co-operate with the police. Don't forget.

I was so close to finding the truth.

It's a shame Haddon died before he could talk.

Are you sure he didn't tell you anything?

But Sheriff! Do you doubt my good faith in this?

That means he didn't confess whether the body in the river was Marciano's either.

I always knew that was Joseph Marciano.

Even while the Sheriff here thought I was crazy.

You may go.

But be careful, Spensieri. Be careful.

You're one step away from deportation as an undesirable.

- You already are an undesirable. - Come now, Sheriff.

Their killing each other off actually benefits you guys, doesn't it?

Your Excellency. Sheriff.

Excuse me.

I heard you were here.

- How did that go? - I expected worse.

I suspect the Chief of Police doesn't mind me meddling in all this.

- Oh, and this goes to the paper. - You're putting too much on the line.

- You started with Denise. - Who gave me the biggest check ever.

- Speaking of Denise, she called. - Denise Marciano? What did she say?

She sounded disturbed. She wants you meet her at the old station.

Okay. See you later. Get a cab, come on.

Be careful. This deal is getting hot.

- Why did you call me? - I can't keep on like this.

- I'm desperate, Mr. Spensieri. - You can trust me.

I mean, that's what you pay me for.

- I lied to you about my husband. - Trillat killed him, didn't he?

Joseph and I had gone out to the theater.

We were on our way home when three men with machine guns...

- ...shoved him into their car. - And you didn't notify the police.

I thought it was the usual kidnapping.

I waited for the kidnappers to contact me, and then Haddon...

my husband's partner, told me I'd better keep quiet for my own good.

That's when I decided to ask for your help.

But then began Trillat's threats, and now they've killed Haddon as well.

Trillat wants it all. The refineries, the oil companies...

control over oil transit to eastern Europe...

But if I give in, he'll kill me!

I'd become useless, and would know too much.

That's why I'm here. To ask for your help.

The Marseillese can't just gain enough power to...

wipe out the Mafia without consequences.

- Who's behind Trillat? - Joseph never told me about that stuff.

Though I once overheard him talking to Haddon about multinationals...

something about an honorable...

Does Mr. Spensieri know that nosing about is a rude habit...

and that it should be punished?

You won't be able to bang your girl for a long while, you shit journalist.

She won't be in the mood either, after our boys are done with her.

Run and save her, if you can.

No.

This was just a polite warning.

Please, don't turn on the light!

Don't look at me.

- Isela! What have they done to you? - Bastards!

Why, Mark? Why?

"Green room: Conference".

- The social tissue is being torn away... - "Crisis in Society and Criminality".

- ...by forces old and new, such as... - "By the honorable Valery Bonardis".

unemployment or the energy crisis, and which lead to...

a chain of events which disintegrates the moral and Christian values.

Criminality has spread frighteningly like a gangrene of society itself.

Consider the lower zones of suburbia, where men and women with children...

are humiliated by society and driven desperate by hunger.

In them, the underworld finds pawns for theft and crime.

Clearly, until the government or the institutions face the delinquency issue...

eliminating its causes by means of social and moral restructuring...

and until those cut off of their human dignity are taken care of...

it will be impossible, my friends, to stop the managers of crime...

from feeding off these victims, filled with frustration and misery...

and from enforcing in this country that foulest and saddest of games.

Blackmail.

That'll be all, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Honorable. That was a very brave presentation.

- Are you pleased? - Yes.

- Mr. Bonardis. - Good morning.

- Gentlemen. - Honorable.

- Sit down. Make yourselves at home. - Thank you.

Mr. Trillat has done a wonderful job.

But in doing so, he irresponsibly jeopardized our plans...

through some stocks which required greater discretion.

- It won't happen again. - France, Italy and Spain...

are integral as pawns in our projects. By controlling these ports...

along with other countries', tomorrow the whole western world will be ours.

Many national economies already depend on the price of oil...

and so it is imperative that said price be controlled and manipulated...

in the benefit of the monopolies which support our actions.

Excuse me, Honorable. While it may be easy to gain control of traffic...

in ports and refineries, it doesn't assure us control over the price.

Dear Lawrence, it's the governments who decide the price of gasoline...

As long as the ministers are men, we know how many of them can be controlled.

Your function has been clear from the very beginning.

You're supposed to eliminate the competition by buying...

from private parties that which is not yet ours.

Mr. Bonardis, my clients here wish to know...

whether certain stipulations have been met in their Swiss banks.

And have also benefited from a remarkable currency change.

Attorney Bender will inform you about the date of our next meeting.

Regarding Mr. Trillat...

Are we done dealing with that Italian-American, Mark Spensieri?

He won't be bothering us anymore.

Isela!

I'm sorry. I can't help it.

- I need revenge. - I see. You're just like them!

Mark, a civilized society can't include violence or crime...

least of all, personal vendettas or showdowns!

- You once believed the same. - And you?

What did you believe in when those guys were all over you?!

This is about your pride. They raped your girl, so you want to kill them?

What about me, then? What should have I thought about?

Castration?

No. That doesn't solve anything. Society must punish them.

Not you.

Don't worry.

I'll be right back.

When this is all over, we'll get married.

- She's in your hands, Miguel. - Don't worry, sir.

You're smarter than your husband, honey. You can be reasoned with.

You must be feeling very lonely right now.

Let's sign that cession, sweetheart, and then...

Denise... What did you give me?

Denise, what did you give me?!

Denise, don't go! Call a doctor!

You whore!

Trillat would be more useful alive. But we need proof to arrest him.

Proof we'll never find.

- Hello? Who is this? - Mr. Spensieri! Meet me right away.

- Where? - In the park. I'll be waiting.

I'll be right there.

- Alright, let's go. - Hold on. There's a police car.

You take my car and I'll take yours. Go.

Please, help me.

I beg you. I'm so scared.

- What happened? - I've avenged my husband.

I've killed Jacques Trillat.

I had him come to my house to grant him the stocks...

and then...

Please, help me. I beg you. I beg you, Mr. Spensieri.

Come on.

- What have you got? - A fourth man for poker.

- Trillat has filled that place. - What place did he fill?

- Niarchos, Haddon and Marciano. - Did you kill them?

- No. - Then who?

That kind of information has to be worth at least $500.

I could get it from you right now and without spending a dollar.

But I'm in a hurry here.

Tell me. Who killed Trillat?

Cullen. Cullen! It's Spensieri!

Cullen, I need someplace safe for a few hours.

Spensieri... You're crazy.

- This is all a mixup! Let me go! - I want those names. All of them!

What names? What are you talking about?

Trillat wanted control of all oil activity on this side on the Mediterranean.

Then Marciano who foresaw his plans...

and decided to kill Niarchos. Trillat responded to this...

by killing Marciano and Haddon. And it was then...

that hostilities between the two clans started.

- Everybody knows that. - I don't know anything. I swear!

Who's behind Trillat? He can't be controlling everything.

- Who's the boss? - I'll have you deported.

I will report you!

Who raped Isela?

I didn't want... I didn't want them to do it.

But Trillat said it was the only way to get you off his back.

- Give me the names! - I don't know. I don't know!

No! Stop it!

The names. Speak.

Spagliari, Carlos... and Salicetti.

Be sure to say that to the police.

Mark! They got Isela.

Spagliari wants Bender in exchange.

Wait. Take this.

Mark!

See you around, you journalist bastard. You'll remember me.

No running, honey.

- There's been a shooting. - I know. We got a call.

Could you call an ambulance?

This is unit 514. Send an ambulance over immediately.

So... What will you do now?

He'll stay put and keep out of this whole business.

I'm warning you, Spensieri.

There's going to be an official investigation about what you did...

and you passport will be withheld.

I'm very sorry about Isela.

She was a great woman.

You can't go on like this, Mark.

Theo, please...

I want to be alone.

Hey, journalist. Take a seat.

What? What more do you want from me?

I want those men, Cullen.

You have to find them.

What? You want to get killed too?

I'm asking you to help me, Cullen.

The police are looking for you. That complicates matters.

I want Spagliari.

Spagliari has vanished.

Either he's good at hiding or he already left the country.

No. With both Trillat and Bender dead...

the oil mafia has to deal directly with him.

Help me find him, Cullen. Only you can get him.

Help me again.

I don't think that would be helping you, Mark.

I know you're blinded by hatred right now.

But only when you've killed him will you be at peace.

I will find that man.

Cigarettes! Get your cigarettes!

Cigarettes!

Get your cigarettes!

Winstons.

Spagliari just went through that door.

Cigarettes!

Mark?

Freeze!

Now!

Get their guns and take them away.

Come on.

Mark?

- Thank you, Captain. - "Captain"?

Give that to Theo. He'll see that it gets published.

My friend and partner... a captain?

- A policeman? - That's right. Isela didn't know either.

I was told by the Chief, just as I was about to arrest him.

He's a brave man.

He carried out his duty to the bitter end.

And for that, he had to pay the highest of prices.