Original subtitles

THE STAR WITNESS

You see? It's open

Hey!

Leave me alone. Get undressed.

Go on, come to bed.

I can't, I'm on duty.

Police.

It see it in your face.

So, what did I do?

Nothing. The captain wants to ask you a few simple questions.

At this hour?

He's a morning person. Come on, move it!

Do me a favor. Don't talk to me like that.

I meant no offence, I talk this way to my own father.

Is this you? Are you an actor?

Not at all. I'm a "mannequin."

I'm a model. A model for shoes.

They call me "Golden Feet".

Or Moccasin.

To what do I owe this honour? - You live alone?

I live with my girlfriend.

Tiziana Meloni? - Yes.

Blimey, what are you? A millipede?

Look, if Tiziana works the street, that has nothing to do with me.

I'm even against it, on principle.

I've always said, "Why do you work?

I give you everything you need. Stay home."

But no, she insisted. She said being a housewife is boring,

that she wanted to express her personality.

So, I let her work.

Did she get a ticket? - The captain will tell you.

Yes, I'm Tiziana's fiancé.

We live together but we each live our own life.

She does her job, I do mine.

My job?

I'm in charge of placing women in service.

No, it's better to say upfront that with the job Tiziana does,

it's easy to cast aspersions on me.

I didn't even know Tiziana was a prostitute.

She told me…

she told me she was the hat check girl in a nightclub.

When I learned the truth, it came as a real blow.

I said to her, "Tiziana, why?" She said, "Society is to blame."

So, it was society's fault not mine.

When she didn't come home, weren't you worried?

No, that happened quite a bit. She'd stay with a friend

or sometimes a client.

For example, she had been seeing a dwarf recently.

He'd take her home and dress her up as Snow White.

Why? Has anything happened?

Hey, has anything happened to Tiziana? Tell me.

Tiziana!

It's not true! It's not true!

No…Tiziana!

Get off me! I want…

Will you knock it off?

Did you think it was a liqueur? Try to calm down.

But why?

Why?

She was a good girl: always at home or at work.

Yes, I know her work was a little questionable but…

not all of us have what it takes to be social workers.

Though they're no saints, as you know.

Who did it? I want to know who did it!

That's what we'd like to know.

May I?

Hey, I just want to remove an ink stain.

The one called Marino Bottechia, I don't know.

They call him Moccasin, because of his mania for shoes.

One day, poor Tiziana had a client who paid in shoes instead of money.

Those with elastic because Moccasin didn't have any.

No, he's nice. A good Christian.

He never hit her.

Oh, God!

One day, he stabbed her with her fork, excuse me, in the boob,

but he apologised.

No, Moccasin, he's no thug,

nor a habitual criminal.

He's always classy:

his clothes ironed, his shoes polished.

He's not a knife guy. Not even a revolver.

Sometimes he's broke and other times he's loaded,

but he never robbed anyone.

Two weeks ago, we were talking about a girl who had overdosed.

Tiziana said,"She's lucky. If only I had the courage."

That's why I think that Tiziana committed suicide.

No, it's not true! They killed her!

Tiziana!

She was mine! Only mine!

No, the clients didn't count!

Captain, you must find the killer!

I want to know who did this!

Go on. Go on!

Faster, kids!

It's late. - Hey! Come back here!

Give him back his cap!

Annibale! Say sorry!

Forgive them, they're children. - Tie their hands not their stomachs!

There we go! Upsy-daisy! There we go! Good job!

You've been having fun. Good! Excuse me, take this.

Just for a moment. - To be honest…

I must speak urgently to the captain.

You're at the citizens' service, so here.

They're well behaved and will give you no trouble.

Oh, right: wash their hands, they're dirty.

That too? - Yes.

What are you doing now? Be good! Behave!

Be good!

It's him. He's the killer.

That's up to us to decide. - But it's him.

We'll play it by the book. - Sure.

Do you… do you know this man?

No.

I don't know him.

I've only seen him the once,

but it was at the right time.

Right time?

I mean he was at the scene of the crime,

Friday night at 11:40. - You saw him?

Of course I saw him. I saw him with my car's lights.

Lights? - My high beams, Captain.

Look,

he was cleaning his shoes with a yellow spotted hankie when bam…!

I shone them right in his face! A face one couldn't forget.

He had a sneaky look.

When I got home, I said to myself,

"He has the face of a killer."

And I wasn't wrong, Captain, he was indeed a killer.

All this at night? Doesn't that seem a bit much?

Do you smoke? - No.

I'm a bit warm, excuse me.

A bit much?

But you're forgetting, excuse me,

once, with my half-beams,

I found a pearl I had lost in Piazza Venezia.

So, you have a children's nursery, right?

Yes, a sort of crèche. Private.

I also have a boarding school for girls.

Good. Tell me what happened on Friday night.

Gladly.

I was returning from a dear friend's marriage,

and since I had some spare time, I decided to go to the cinema: the Rex.

As I was saying, Your Honour, Friday night,

I was in Ostia with my pal Pasquale.

But you left the restaurant at 11 pm.

What did you do afterwards?

We went down to the beach to see the dead fish.

Yes, word went around that an oil tanker that foundered

had brought to the beach a load of dead fish.

So we said, let's have a look.

And were they there? - What?

The dead fish. - No.

We walked for about an hour, until we got to Torveglianico.

Not one body of a dead fish.

Did you speak to anyone?

With the owner of the Corsair Restaurant,

where we went indeed to eat fish. It was delicious.

I see but that was after 11. And afterwards?

Afterwards?

Afterwards, we came back. But we didn't see anything special.

There were some groups of people at a distance.

A couple were making love in a car.

Being gentlemen, we didn't stop to look.

Name of the restaurant? - The Corsair.

Do you have to do the typing, Sir?

This court has only three typists, what do you expect me to do?

Well, if you like, I can help you. I'll be faster than you.

Name of the restaurant owner?

I confirm what I have said and sign it, Captain Sir.

Good, where were we?

Ah, on the day, let's see, on the day of April 12th in the year of…

That's him!

Him who? - The person I saw Friday night

at the scene of the crime at 11:40!

What scene of the crime?

Your Honour, I think we've done enough writing.

On Friday, I ate fish at Ostia!

You weren't in Ostia, but on Via Manfredini.

You were shining your shoes on the edge of the sidewalk!

What is this lady saying? Is she mad?

Sidewalk? Shining my shoes? What does she mean?

Let us beware of a miscarriage of justice!

His shoes, Your Honour!

Black and white. With all those little holes!

But… I have ten pairs like this.

Made in England, two-tone with holes.

I'm not the only one who has them.

You can't fool me.

Show the judge the yellow spotted handkerchief in your pocket!

My pocket? Which one?

Here's the proof: He had this on the night of the crime.

But not the tie!

Anything else?

Take it. I'm sorry.

So, write: "Confronted by Bottecchia,

the witness confirmed her deposition

and recognised the aforementioned from the scene of the crime."

The President of the Republic

has sent a telegram of condolence to the families of the victims.

Isolina Panto', the star witness

in the trial against Marino Bottecchia,

declared herself a victim of an anonymous plot against her person.

This is what she said in an interview.

I am Isolina Panto'.

I run a small kindergarten.

As you can see, modest but efficient.

Four days ago, mothers stopped bringing their children.

Perhaps there's an epidemic?

Not true. I don't believe it.

I'm certain they've been threatened.

These mothers are being stopped by unknown forces.

They're trying to get at me, because I denounced Marino Bottecchia.

I ask these mothers to have the courage to send me their children.

Or what will I do?

And remember, I only acted out of my duty as a citizen.

At my own risk and…

and without malice.

Because out of love for justice, I won't let myself be…

intimidated by any threats!

It's already 4:30…

You come back at this hour? You could have been killed!

Hey, Rodolfo!

Rodolfo!

Without a doubt, Sir, I swear it and I swear it again!

He is a vulgar man, Your Honour, vulgar!

Yes, who has lived off the backs of poor provincial girls like me!

The papers say, every day, at least 3 women are cruelly murdered by men.

They're mothers, sisters, daughters… Think about it, Your Honour.

No, Your Honour!

She's an ex-nun! Expelled from the Servants of Mary Convent!

She even failed as a Servant! Oh, I feel ill…

Not true! I swear it's false!

Yes, I went into a convent

but I left with a man who seemed to me beautiful in body and soul!

Ooh, careful, Your Honour!

Ah, a con artist!

This lady is a worse troublemaker than me!

Better than being a murderer! - Me, a murderer? Oh, God, I faint…

A false faint, Your Honour. He's trying to move you!

I know he's acting! I feel ill too but I won't faint.

What's going on?

Every day it becomes more dangerous.

Tomorrow, I'll wear a helmet.

Instead, you know what I say? I'll call in sick.

Who the hell sent this? This damn…

Shut up, you were even in love with Robert Kennedy!

Yes, that's true, but I've never spoken to him.

It was platonic love!

And I curse the assassins of the Kennedy brothers!

Pay close attention: this Marino Bottecchia may be a lead.

Let's ask him about it, Your Honour! - Me?

I curse all men, Your Honour.

All those assassins! All those who kill!

Down with goody two-shoes! Down with the Salvation Army!

And long live whores!

In the name of the Italian people,

the accused Marino Bottecchia

is found guilty of voluntary homicide. - Did you see that, Your Honour?

He is sentenced to 20 years,

6 months and 12 days imprisonment.

20 years. Convicted for "serious indications."

No proof. "Serious indications," understand? 20 years.

I had witnesses and an alibi. Nothing doing, they were prejudiced!

They chose to listen to the testimony of that hypocritical Servant of Mary.

Damn her… - Will you let me sleep? Damn!

Nice that you can sleep. I gotta do 20 years, let me speak, alright?

Look, if you don't sleep, 20 years will feel even longer!

Who the hell sent him here? - Fine.

"I saw him! I recognise him by his shoes."

Shoes? Am I the only one who has shoes with holes?

God damn her! Damn that bitch!

If someone doesn't knock her on the head right away,

she's going to be a danger to society.

Dirty schizophrenic cow!

I'll shoot her in the mouth! - God is revenge and forgiveness.

If you don't go to sleep, I'll rip your ears off!

You better know that to get some sleep, I killed my wife!

20 years… - Bottecchia!

If you don't stop, I'll put you in solitary.

We wish. - Go sell your ass…

May I?

Which floor?

Me? Really, I don't know.

The… third. I think.

Isolina!

I have lots of things to tell you and there's a gift too.

You look scared, what is it?

Something terrible happened to me.

A man in the lift was staring at me.

Do you know that in Milan, they rape women in the lifts?

All have such luck? - Yes.

I felt his breath here. I felt hot flashes. - Please!

The more I moved away, the closer he got.

He had a creepy air. I know that sort of man.

They undress you with their eyes.

He was going to the floor above? - Yes.

A young man with brown hair, about 35, rather tall?

I really don't know. I didn't even look at him.

I only know he had a black sweater, a belt, a change purse,

a zit here, a finger ring, a gold chain…

with the Scorpion sign.

My girl, even those guys scare you?

The building calls him "Miss Mary."

Come, I'll get you something to drink.

Miss Mary?

Your mind would even paint milk black.

By the way, what's the story about all that in the papers?

The star witness and all that jazz.

What happened? - Nothing.

I sent some brute to prison.

From the photos, he seemed an interesting sort.

He had those eyes… - Who?

Well, him, the killer.

I didn't notice.

That's the difference between us.

I wouldn't have accused him. - I would.

Before the truth, I look nobody in the face.

I would even say to you…

that when a man lives like him…

In short, if he's ugly on the inside,

he's ugly too on the outside.

I'm not convinced.

Upstanding people are boring.

But him on the other hand… What's his name?

Marino Bottecchia.

Listen. For me, this Bottechia…

Not right now, because I just got married but…

While you, you get him condemned.

But how did you ever cross paths with him?

By chance. It was destiny.

Actually, it was the same evening as your wedding. That Friday.

No, I was really married on Thursday.

See? Even you don't remember. It was Friday.

Oh no, Thursday.

As if Carlo, superstitious as he is, would marry on a Friday!

Wait here. Excuse me.

There, look.

April 12th. And April 12th was a Thursday.

Oh no! It isn't possible!

Think again, please!

It's quite obvious:

If you married on a Thursday, then Bottecchia must be innocent, no?

You think the court made a mistake?

Why else was he found guilty? Why…?

You have a glass of water?

What have I done?

Good grief!

And what can I do now?

Ask his forgiveness?

How can I ask forgiveness for the 20 years?

What sort of justice would that be?

What are you doing? Can't you see? You were in the wrong, no?

But I had right of way. - Right of way? Look what you've done!

This lady saw everything! - I saw nothing at all. I wasn't there.

Nothing at all! - She saw it all!

You came in through the right! - What right?

Would you do something for me?

I need to speak urgently to a detainee.

At this hour? To tell him what? - To tell him… that he's innocent.

He must already know that, right? - But I never knew it.

Now you both know it.

Say, couldn't we find a way?

I must talk to him, just for a minute. I must. You understand?

Look, I'm sorry. - Help me.

Look, you can call him.

Are you pulling my leg? - No, I'm serious.

And how? - From the Wall of Gianicolo.

Aldo! I'm thinking of you all the time!

Tomorrow, I'll come to the visiting room!

Marcello, watch your back!

She says she loves you!

Flavio, the baby is fine!

Mario!

Don't worry!

The boy is yours!

The punishment wasn't valid!

Tagliano Del Cipresso!

I love you!

The lawyer…

has run off with all the cash!

Don't worry, you'll get amnesty!

Marino!

Take a look at Article 452!

Marino!

Bottecchia!

Who are you looking for?

I'm… I'm looking for…

Marino Bottecchia.

Block No. 3, Cell No. 15.

Hey, Gigi!

Cell 15, third block!

Cell 15, third block!

Bottecchia!

You hear me?

What's your name?

Isolina. I have to tell him something very important.

Isolina is here!

She has to tell you something very important!

I have proof of your innocence.

What should I do?

She has proof of your innocence!

What should she do?

Go fuck yourself!

Answer! But without the insults!

He answered.

You're leaving and giving me nothing?

To go where he told me to, I have to pay you too?

Your accomplice won't rat you out!

Please, come in. - No, thank you.

I really need to speak a moment to Dr Bonotti.

But I don't want to disturb him.

But it's very urgent.

Would you be so kind…

Look, that gentleman there eating lasagne at the table.

Gnocchi Roman style. - Really?

You see, he's that one next to the lady in the red dress.

Okay, I'll call him.

Here you go, garçon… - No, thank you. I'm the owner.

The owner?

Sorry. - You told him?

Yes, he doesn't want to.

Your Honour?

Your Honour! You remember me?

Listen, I don't and have no intention in straining my memory.

But it's of the greatest importance. Remember the Bottecchia trial?

Miss, I don't remember anything in the evening.

If you want to discuss it, come see me tomorrow in my office.

Goodbye, Miss…?

Panto'. Isolina Panto'.

Star witness in the Bottecchia trial. May I?

Sir, did you remember when I said,

"It's him, it's him, it's him. I swear it's him?"

Well, it wasn't him.

At least, it was him, but not on Friday.

It was Thursday, like today as you eat gnocchi.

And I'd be allowed to…

How can you possibly continue to eat, when an innocent is in prison?

You must do something.

Sir, help me. - Listen, Miss.

If he's innocent, as you say, you can prove it on appeal, right?

When is the appeal? - I don't know.

Come to the office tomorrow and we'll see what we can do.

And now, Miss,

join us or be so kind as to withdraw.

So we are saying:

acquitted of the offence of voluntary homicide for lack of evidence.

Even so he's guilty of lesser offences, isn't he?

That's to say:

complicity in prostitution,

by allowing intimate encounters in his home.

Instigation of prostitution,

by having persuaded girls,

including a minor, into sordid activities.

Thirdly: exploitation of prostitution,

to have taken and demanded money

from some girls, whom he protects.

Therefore, for the first offence, Bottecchia is sentenced

exactly to a year and a half in prison and a 100,000 lire fine,

minus the extenuating circumstances to 1/3 third of his sentence.

Continuing, for the second offence,

he is condemned for 2 years and 2 months for corrupting a minor,

minus the extenuating circumstances.

For the third, 3 years and 5 months minus the extenuating circumstances.

So, let's add it all up and let's strive to be precise.

It's a slightly tricky calculation.

Hey, Cavelozzi, this isn't primary school, is it?

Cavelozzi, no copying.

Commendatore, rest assured, I've spoken of you higher up.

You'll be out soon.

It's unjust, Mayor.

You should benefit from immunity like the criminals.

Commissioner, I weep in my heart to see you in such an environment.

I am victim of a plot.

But I'm hopeful. Don't worry.

Where's all this going to end?

It was all a frame-up. And the kids are great.

They're treating them well. - Yes, Sir.

I found out… that they sent you far from Rome.

And so…

And so?

You still hate me? - No, for heaven's sake.

Thanks to you, I got 4 years. I risked being in prison my whole life.

Why should I hate you?

Look, whenever I see you, it's like I have sawdust in my underwear.

They gave you 4 years?

Three! You've already served one.

Compared to 20.

3 might pass quickly.

Maybe on the Riviera but not here.

The Riviera water is polluted.

Listen, prison's a pain in the ass enough without you. Leave me be.

No, please wait.

Just a few words.

Forgive me.

Is it really bad in here?

No, how can you say that? This place is fantastic!

You're better without the moustache. - Really?

Yes, it's a look that's more…

more respectable.

No, I beg you, please,

I am here to help you.

I want nothing from you.

Strange: I thought accepting gifts from women was your speciality.

What did you get me?

Books.

I left them at the desk. They'll bring them soon.

Mathematics, trigonometry,

and construction.

And the dialogues of Plato.

Did you know that an illiterate Sardinian shepherd

after 20 years in prison, had them all memorized?

How could he've read them if he never went to jail?

Never!

So then, while you're here…

studying,

the time will pass like that.

And in 3 years, you'll have your diploma in geometry.

So when you're released,

you can start a new life.

Of course, 3 years is not that long for a diploma.

They usually take 5.

As long as you put a good word in, have no worries.

Maybe you would prefer accounting?

No. There are too many accountants.

There are 4 just in here. There are also 2 engineers, 1 lawyer,

1 dentist. - People like that here?

There are also other sorts. In my cell, I have an illiterate

who set fire to his wife and sister-in-law.

A match and poof: 30 years. - How horrific!

What did you think? They'd put me in with the governors's daughter?

Not with your background.

Thank goodness.

Alright, tell me what I can do for you.

I beg you. Please.

If you want to do something, bring me 2 shoe-brushes. - Yes.

Solitex brand. Soft-haired. - Alright.

2 tins of shoe polish, a yellow and a black.

Lord brand. English.

Write it down. - No, I have a great memory

It would be better. - No, I'll remember.

A tube of Argentine hair gel.

Yes, agreed.

How will I get these to you if you're being transferred?

Good point. - Where are they sending you?

To Porto Felice.

Porto Felice?

A pretty name.

Then I'll go there very willingly.

Look, forgive me.

If you forgive me, I'll even come to see you in Porto Felice.

With the brushes and polish? - Brushes and polish.

Two cotton sweaters. - Two cotton sweaters.

And candied fruit. - A small box?

A large box.

Very good.

Then we're friends?

Of course.

Shall we call each other by name? - Why not?

Since we're friends now, get me two cartons of filtered Americans.

The soft kind. - Thank you.

It's nothing. If one can be of service to a friend…

Goodbye.

Who do you have in the penitentiary? Your husband?

An acquaintance.

I'm sure he's innocent.

You know what I think?

In prison, all the men are innocent.

My son is the most innocent of them all. As pure as water.

The guilty are those who take advantage and are lazing around somewhere.

It's they who smell of gunpowder.

How long is your son in for? - 12 years.

They profited from his passion for cars.

He sees a car and he gets an impulse to drive it.

To take it for a spin.

The others around him took advantage of this impulse, you see,

and sold the cars.

How many times did this impulse come over him?

Well… 150 times.

I'm not saying that's little but we all have our impulses, right?

For example, when I was pregnant, I ate cream puffs all day long.

Fortunately,

in prison, he has made a friend.

So, he is feeling more relaxed, like he was at home.

But you know, true friends.

Terribly good friends.

So much so that at Christmas, this other one made him a pullover.

He has golden hands for these feminine tasks.

Can you spare a lemon?

Yes.

Here.

It's clean! I just took a little nibble out of it.

Suck it, you'll feel better. Suck it.

Mama, here I am!

Hi, Marina!

Hi!

My God, you look sickly!

T-shirts,

hair oil,

fruit candies,

the polish,

macaroons,

deodorant…

That's the lot.

And the shoe-brushes?

The brushes…

My God, I forgot.

I kept asking for it like a saint, how could you have forgotten it?

I'll go in town to buy one.

In town? You think they have brushes like Solitex?

And I have a good memory! - Eh, yes.

The one thing you need to improve is your memory. Well, never mind.

I didn't come here to be insulted.

Right, I'm going. - Where are you going? Wait.

You're irritable too?

Besides, dogs that bark don't bite.

Look: my nails are getting longer.

Well, I cut off my moustache, I had to grow something else, right?

How many times a day do you wash your hands? - Once.

I don't get it. We're not in kindergarten here.

No, but a little hygiene wouldn't hurt you.

I have some wipes. Clean yourself.

You know how to use them? - I know.

No, you do it like this, look, and then you clean yourself.

Go on, tell me,

what do you do all day?

Tell me. - What do you expect?

During the day, the hours pass and we even manage to entertain ourselves.

We make our plans. - Good ones?

Nice ones.

Delicate, hey?

Vulgar.

Night is hell.

Good night!

Go to bed!

Go to bed! - Sing us a lullaby!

Good night, cheaters!

This time, I've forgotten nothing.

English polish in three colours, even colourless.

The Solitex brushes that you wanted.

You have something else?

Yes, an aftershave balm.

You put on your face to keep the skin soft. It's great.

And chocolate,

an undershirt…

Very good.

The newspapers.

You know, something very strange has happened.

In one week, I received 7 letters.

One each day, from the same person.

A woman. - Who? - This one here.

A teacher from Asolo, that's her.

This one? - Yes. Not bad, eh?

But she has one fault: She's 1 m 84.

Very cute.

I've never received such beautiful letters, I swear it.

There's one, for instance, that starts:

"I love flowers even without scent."

And further, she compares the flowers to us prisoners.

She compares me to a carnation.

And you? - What about me?

Have you replied to her? - Obviously.

Well, I replied only once.

But perhaps I was wrong to.

It must have gone to her head, poor girl.

Maybe she has some illusions.

To be blunt, she asked me to marry her.

To marry her?

You?

With all that you are and all that you've done?

And she wants to marry you?

Have you accepted?

Oh, yes. But later,

when I was alone…

with my thoughts at night…

then I began to think of you.

I thought of you like crazy.

Like crazy?

In a manner…

unbecoming? - Yes.

You did wrong.

Does it bother you?

No, it doesn't bother me.

It's just that now,

I can't look you in the face.

But…

how was I? - When?

When you thought of me in your bed?

In your cell. Was I dressed?

Naked?

Agitated?

You realise what you're saying?

Isolina… - Yes?

We were in a beautiful grass meadow,

entwined in the wet grass.

It was a full moon.

Then I put my hand on your… - No!

No, please don't go on, Marino!

You don't want me to continue? - No!

It's perhaps better. Forgive me.

You didn't abuse me without my consent?

Because…

you did abuse me?

You know very well…

How dare you?

Well? - I was dreaming.

What do you know about my life?

What do you know about me?

Are you crying?

No, I'm not.

Why would I be crying?

Please, let's go!

No, they can see us! - Who cares about that? Come on!

What a show!

What a fine pair of lovebirds!

Rigoletto, you get the next dance.

Woman or man, you disgust me all the same.

You see? - The boy is jealous, eh?

Moccasin!

Wait. What is it?

Here.

"You want to marry me?" - Good news?

That depends. - It's from that young lady.

Yes, I know…

And you're not happy? - That depends, I said.

If you received this, would you be happy?

If you wrote it? No.

Boys, prepare the confetti!

If you wish to be united by the holy sacrament of marriage,

express your consent before God and the Church.

Marino Bottecchia, do you take Isolina Panto' as your wife

and promise to be faithful in all circumstances,

happy or unhappy, for better or worse,

to love and honour her all her life?

Yes.

Isolina Panto', do you take Marino Bottecchia for your husband

and promise to be faithful in all circumstances,

happy or unhappy, for better or worse,

to love and honour her all his life?

Yes.

God in his goodness confirms your consent

before the Church and grants you his blessing.

What God has joined together, let no man tear apart.

Virgin in heaven,

Sovereign of…

Sorry, I'll start over.

Lord, bless these rings

exchanged as symbols of love and fidelity.

Exchange the rings.

Isolina, receive this ring, a pledge of my love…

Love… - and of my fidelity.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

I give you this ring as a pledge of love and fidelity.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

It doesn't fit.

Where should I put it? On the other hand? The pinkie?

No?

Anyone have another ring?

It's a lot that it made it here today. - What can I do?

Ah, thank you.

I give you this pledge of love and fidelity.

In the name of the Father, the Son… - Look at your husband.

Pascucci has hands like this.

Thank you, Governor. - Don't mention it.

May you have many sons! - Thanks.

Congratulations. - Thank you.

Hi, beardy. Thanks a lot.

Come now. Let's look at the gifts.

Jail wasn't enough, she had to marry him?

Come on, help yourselves. It's good. - You eat it. Here.

Thank you. - Yes, thank you, thank you…

Congratulations. - You've been very kind.

Very charming, I was quite touched.

Bravo, Marino. - Come.

Here are the prisoners' gifts.

Dracula made this.

We call him that because… - How sweet.

…he worked in a bloodbank.

This is from the mass-murderer of Spoleto.

And Mata Hari, our spy.

And this one?

This is from Butt Cheek. - How nice! - Yes, Pascuccio.

It's lovely! - How did you make with your mitts?

So nice. - You've done a very fine job.

You are all so adorable. A thousand thanks.

Father, look!

Who taught you that? The nuns?

Best wishes. - Thank you.

Father, you're all alone?

Look what they embroidered for me.

They do what they can. - Yes.

Don't they kiss the bride anymore?

Of course. Here.

If they saw me…

In your sermon, Father,

you said that the wife must follow the husband everywhere.

What should I do in my case? Follow him to prison?

In my opinion, of course.

What?

They're a bit agitated. Send them back in… - May I?

Here, take it away.

I wanted to thank you for the truly beautiful ceremony.

You're welcome.

In the name of my wife too.

My compliments, she's quite pretty.

And how should we arrange this? It's unfortunate.

Arrange what?

The gifts, the party are all fine but afterwards?

What more do you want? Your wife in your cell? Please!

You had this party, your friends…

You have TV and even the political newspapers.

You have everything. I don't know what you want.

No, we all just want to avoid turning into queers.

Impossible?

One moment, Ma'am! - Long live the bride!

How can one get married and leave a husband without sharing intimacy?

On the one hand, I would love to be with him,

physically speaking.

On the other hand, I'm afraid the normal union

might remove a little of the poetry.

One moment.

Very good.

But the body has a share in this. - The body can wait.

Miss, what are you going to do now?

Look for some lodgings on this island.

A sort of honeymoon in white? - That's it.

What's your wife doing at the moment?

With all the fisherman in the island, don't you worry.

She's not a whore like yours.

A saint. My wife was a saint.

Why did you kill her then?

To send her to heaven.

I bet that she's walking the streets up there!

If they allowed wives

to spend their wedding nights in the cell with their husbands,

we'd be richly entertained. - Right!

Because I got married to entertain you, eh?

If she came here, you wouldn't give us our turn?

Paid for, of course.

Prince, you're the youngest and the shittiest.

You're offended? After all, it's your profession.

Sure, it's like asking a baker to sell a piece of bread!

And for once, I'll eat my own bread.

But before you taste it, it will have gone stale.

Better stale than softened by your dirty paws!

Marino, I'm yours. Take me, I'm your little wife.

Check out what lovely stuff I have!

Do you know who these thighs belong to?

Yours! - And this lovely mouth? - Yours!

And these gorgeous tits? - Yours!

And this nice thing? - Yours!

No, they're for the porter who brought me soda in my motel room!

How he can always laugh, Rigoletti, it's beyond me.

He's a hunchback, stinks, has only one kidney,

he's in jail and still likes to laugh.

Sweet dreams, my little husband!

And please, don't commit any impure acts!

I forgot to wish you a good night, sweetie.

Thank you, my love!

God damn you!

I tried.

Can I make this work?

I'm afraid.

Now…

I must get naked.

Yes, Marino, yes.

And next…

slowly…

But not everything at once…

No, wait, Marino!

That too?

And after that, what do I do?

What are you making me do?

Hello. - Hello.

How did you pass the first night?

Badly. - Me as well.

But the body must wait, Marino.

Just what I told the journalists.

We're quite lucky to be able to speak here.

Best wishes, Ma'am.

Thank you.

You understand? There's no need to be melodramatic.

You know what I think? We'll have a honeymoon all the same.

What honeymoon?

In our imaginations, Marino!

Believe me, I'm not lacking in imagination.

Follow me, Marino.

See, we are already in Venice.

Venice?

Please, close your eyes and come with me.

Marino, we're surrounded by pigeons.

Pigeons everywhere and then…

Close your eyes.

Close both of them!

You must close both your eyes.

Ah, just like this.

We are now on the Grand Canal,

then we're in St Mark's Square,

then we're at a bar having a drink.

There are many doves. It's all so beautiful!

I'd give an eye to sleep with you right now. And you?

Me? What about me?

What would you give?

Me, I'd give… a leg.

No, wait. You see, I need your legs.

You can't imagine I go to bed with you missing a leg? No.

I want you whole…

when the moment comes.

You must have patience.

In the meantime, give me something to put under the pillow.

A photo.

A special kind of photo.

What sort of photo do you want?

In a swimming suit. - Please no.

Not in a swimming suit. Swimming suits are the death of sex.

Besides, for that I could look in the magazines.

Make a slightly daring photo, a little sexy.

Where one sees, sometimes not, where you can glimpse

something between the legs.

Is the guard still behind me?

Yes. - If I can't see your face, that's fine.

How is it fine? - It's just an expression.

I meant, especially at night, the face doesn't matter much.

But if there's no face, Marino,

what will you kiss?

Anywhere.

Where anywhere?

Marino,

what will you do with the photo?

Is the guard still there?

He left.

Isolina, you don't know what prison is.

Men are on the edge.

It doesn't take much and snap!

What?

With the passing of time and the abstinence,

you begin to realize that between a man and a woman,

there's no great difference. - What?

No difference? - No.

You can get a cellmate that when you look at him,

in the end… - No!

In the end, he resembles your cousin.

No! You must resist.

No, don't ever!

No, you mustn't do that.

Swear you'll never do that. Swear!

Okay. - What?

Fine, I'll try but Isolina, you must help me.

Agreed. - You must send me some nice photos.

But I insist, racy, very risqué. - Yes.

You get me?

It's up to you. - Yes.

Isn't she a bit deflated? - What? You prefer fatties?

What are you giving me? Nazionale? You know I don't smoke.

Want to try Federica? - What can I do with an inner tube?

At first, you feel iffy but you soon grow fond.

It'd be like playing poker with Mickey Mouse.

Can I come in? - No, why? - I got oranges.

The minimum is 2 packets of Americans, and you need to hurry up.

One of these days, you'll see. Damn it!

Crap!

Who invented these filters?

You want it?

Thanks.

Take them.

Thanks. I'll hide them, because if they're seen, they'll be stolen.

Who would?

The Bedouin and the others.

Smash their faces in.

They know I can't and they take advantage of it.

You know why they call me Salomé?

Because every evening they force me to dance naked.

Are you a good dancer? - No.

If I don't do it, Bedouin pulls out his knife.

He has a life sentence.

He wouldn't hesitate to kill me.

Afterwards, three of them pin me down while one has his fun.

Like with the Chinese cook. - What?

Let it slide. - If I were a pretty girl, I'd get it,

but how can they have fun with somebody like me?

Well, tastes are tastes.

I can't bear the humiliation anymore.

How would I look if my kids found out?

Youngsters are very broad-minded.

It's disgusting, it's shameful.

Little by little, we get used to it.

Here, it's the law. - No, never.

The Bedouin is a sadist.

Not only does he have fun, but he beats me too.

Really? - One of these days, I'll put an end to it.

I'll tell the governor all about it.

Excellent idea.

That way, there'll be 4 of them to hold you down.

Then what can I do?

Take some dancing classes.

Here, like that. Turn a little.

Beautiful.

Wait, I'll go on this side.

A bit of thigh.

You must show that poor guy something.

Don't move.

Hold it.

Wait, I'll cover myself.

Here. More languid, more languid.

Perfect.

I think a little this way.

Like that.

Hey!

There's one missing. Where is it?

There weren't seven photos but eight.

You took one. - Photo?

The missing photo, did you take it?

Give it to me.

I'll give it to you tomorrow. - Oh really?

And what will you be doing to my wife tonight? Give it up.

I won't show nobody. - Nobody?

I don't want my wife's photo to get around.

If it weren't for me you wouldn't get these photos. You should thank me.

Here you go, boys. I brought you the Bedouin.

From now on, there are five of you.

He's not so bad once you know him. You just have to be nice.

I bet you'll all become big pals.

Prince, if he asks you to dance with veils, don't.

I drop them nicely. - He's dangerous.

Look, I have a knife too! - But don't sleep uncovered.

You see, Father, knowing he's in prison,

I feel more peaceful.

This may surprise you, but that's how it is.

Between him and me, there are walls, barriers.

Something that unites us but also separates us.

It prevents him from coming to me,

touching me,

to do me harm.

What sort of harm?

Harm.

That which men do to women when they let loose their bestial instincts.

You mean the consummation of marriage?

It's a very relative harm.

Besides, there are some who don't dislike it.

I don't want to find out.

It terrifies me.

Father, have you ever experienced…

attraction and repulsion at the same time?

You see, there are two women in me.

One desires the act of…

let's call it the material.

And the other refuses.

It seems the second is stronger…

and more resolute than the first.

See, I get hot flushes…

at the idea that Marino will get out.

He would want to impose his male rights…

on me.

What will become of me?

Well, my child…

Do you understand? - No, not at all.

What would you want him to do with his wife after 4 years in prison?

Bring her to church? - If it were Sunday.

Even if it were Easter, why should he care?

Don Mario, you speak to me like this?

Yes, I do.

Because I know them,

their problems, their suffering, their misery,

and their sins against nature.

Do you know it's me who gets them their nudie magazines?

They relieve themselves like kids.

Impure acts.

It is what it is! We're always within nature.

It saves them from committing grave acts on their companions.

Then it's true?

Yes, it's most true. If it were up to me,

they could have their wives once a week.

I'd send them women!

Even for the priests of today but let's not go into that.

If you want the advice of a priest and a man,

silence the second woman in you and listen to the first.

The bestial instincts of man

have also a positive side.

What can I say about the poor thing? Federica was stabbed 3 times.

Stabbed her 3 times in the face. My love was deflated in 3 days.

Who did it? - Someone who will soon learn.

He stabbed her 3 times and I'll stab him 3 times.

When did he die? - A month ago.

And you're telling me this now?

You know that that dog was everything to me.

You know, why at Regina Coeli, we were in prison

with doctors, princes, a mayor,

even a commissioner and all sorts of important people.

But in this prison, we're surrounded by trash.

Okay, leave it to me.

I know, I've said it many times but now I'm in here to stay.

When I get out, I'll get head my straight.

Go on! Go on! Do what I say.

Come on, don't be silly.

Go on, unbutton your blouse.

Don't ask me to, I'm embarrassed.

There's too many people. Please.

I'm begging you. No.

Don't worry. Do what I say.

Now, hide under your coat,

put it like this and then,

open your blouse.

Yes. No, please, Marino, don't make me do this.

Not this, not this!

If I ask you to do this, you must do it.

I need it, you understand?

It's not a whim. Come on.

And a new detainee has arrived. - Who?

The Angel. - Who's that?

A blond with long hair, blue eyes, attractive, young…

And understand, it's better than nothing.

It's easy to get confused. - Confused how?

It'd be so easy… Isolina, I'm not joking.

Do as I ask.

Go on.

That's enough.

No, continue. Don't be afraid.

More…

Another? - More.

Go on! - Another? - Yes.

Start talking.

Say anything.

What should I say?

I'm so tense that I can't speak.

Anything. Numbers.

Numbers?

45, 50, 55,

56, 57,

58, 59, 60, 61.

Continue.

Continue, I tell you.

Should I start again? - Yes.

1, 2, 3, 4,

5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 10,

10…

1, 2…

Marino?

Marino!

No! Marino, Marino, no…

Thank you, my love. Thank you.

Don't worry, don't be upset.

There's a quiet and secure room.

It's the infirmary.

I'll tell you which day.

Yes, agreed,

but how are you going to get her in?

No worries. I'll take care of it.

What do you want in exchange for this service?

What everybody else gives me.

Which is?

It's not about money.

Realize that to get your wife inside,

I'm risking much. While you have to get all the fun?

I don't see the link.

And what about me?

What about you?

Watch out for that Charlot. Some friend.

Careful, he's behind you. Talk softly.

Impossible.

First, he softens you up…

then bam! He sticks the knife in. - But it's not possible.

He's always so considerate, so kind.

I can believe it.

I'm on the island thanks to him. He got me the job at the villa.

Exactly.

I'm going to tell you something I never told you before. - What?

The photos that you sent me weren't 8. They were only 7.

One was missing. - 7?

Yes. - Which one?

How should I know? Probably the most exciting one.

Did you get the one where I was just wearing a towel?

No. What was it like?

What could you see? - Nothing.

I was naked under my towel.

But you could see little or nothing.

Obviously.

After all, Marino, it's just paper. - Yes, paper.

OK? - But you're on the paper!

It's a piece of paper… - No, I say he's a bastard.

He kept the best for himself. - Oh, no, don't worry about it.

This is not including what he said in the yard.

What did he say?

No, I won't tell you.

Go on, tell me. - No, I won't.

Tell me.

He had the nerve…

The nerve for what?

He said he was ready…

to organise a date for us.

Marino, a date with you!

But he wants to hook-up with you first. Understand? - Him?

With me?

No, with me! Don't act stupid.

How… how could he dare?

He says that anyway,

you wouldn't notice him. - I would.

But he means in the dark.

Come on, he couldn't have asked for such a thing. I can't believe it.

I really want to report him.

Don't overreact, please.

I forbid you to accept the bones he gives you for the dogs.

The less you see him, the better. - Of course. I'm fine with that.

Although, it's a pity for the dogs.

With the 1000 lire they give you to care for the dogs, you can buy the bones.

You're right, but I need to economise for the two of us.

He isn't giving you the bones for nothing.

He wants the meat.

Say, it's no longer worth the trouble to bring the bones.

I'll take care of it. Thanks.

A pity.

I was getting quite attached. - To whom?

The dogs.

Listen. I have to tell you what's in my heart.

I never imagined you would make to my husband…

propositions…

that are so…

shameful.

Sorry, what propositions?

You know very well.

Your husband was exaggerating. I was joking.

Those sorts of jokes are in very bad taste.

You're right. Sometimes, the words just come out.

At the end of the day, we're like prisoners. We have the same…

difficulties, the same sacrifices.

Especially for those who are unmarried or have their wives on the mainland.

Here, women run away like we have the plague.

And then? And then…

As nobody is a saint,

we sometimes try our luck.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

But without force.

Imagine if we used our position to abuse the people in our power.

And what about,

the possibility of helping us to a date in the infirmary?

Was that a joke?

No.

I would really like to make that happen.

Really?

You would do it?

Of course.

Am I authorized to tell Marino?

If you want, I'll tell him.

Well after all, it looks like I've misjudged you.

Please forgive me.

Hello? - Hello.

Who is it? - It's me, Marino.

Isolina? - Marino!

Has something happened?

Hello? - Where are you calling from?

Where else? The prison. I'm in the infirmary.

God, are you sick?

Calm down. The operation has begun.

You know what that means? - Yes, but I don't understand.

Listen closely, Isolina.

Charlot will pick you up and he will bring you here. Yes.

Then he will leave us alone in the emergency ward.

But are you sure that afterwards, nothing serious will happen?

What do you think will happen?

God, it's not impossible that he'll come in after I'm done.

Marino, what do you mean? - Yes.

Of course, if he comes in, you'll refuse.

Hello? You hear me? - Eh? Yes…

So, are we agreed?

Be before the door in 30 minutes.

He'll do the rest.

Marino! - Isolina!

My love! My love! Did you wash your hands?

It's like a dream. - My hands? What does it matter?

Oh, dear. - Follow me.

Where is it? - Calmly.

This way.

Relax, it's quiet.

I can understand with such a wife, one can't wait. - Charlot…

Lucky that I'm here.

Do you know Marino and I have become friends? - Yeah.

Friends must help each other.

This way. - I'm scared.

Stay there. - Hey! Let me in!

Ah, it's you!

You can go now. - Okay.

Charlot, what're you doing? Are you mad? Locking me in solitary?

Don't worry. When everything's fine, I'll come and get your, alright?

No fooling about. - I'm risking a great deal, you know?

And behave yourself!

How was she?

I don't give a damn.

But you're a lowlife because we never agreed to this.

Anyway, when one is in my profession, it doesn't matter, you see.

Isolina? Where are you?

What did that panderer do?

I don't know. - No? - It was dark.

You don't know because it was dark?

Tell me what he did?

I don't know. I had half-fainted.

I swear I don't know and I don't want to!

Ah no? Well, try to find out.

Or I'm going to help you recover your memory. Got it?

Shut up. - It was dark.

At first, I thought it was you. Then I thought you must've agreed.

Really? - That you'd sent him.

We did agree but in quite a different way.

First, you had to come with me and after you had to absolutely refuse him!

Instead, you've done the opposite!

Good God! How could you confuse him with me?

It was dark. - You already said that.

Not even in the dark, could you confuse me with him. Not even in the dark!

I fought him! I did everything I could.

He was stifling me and I couldn't cry out!

He had covered my mouth.

Then I fainted and so at least… saved face.

It wasn't your face you needed to save! And then I don't believe you:

the confusion, the fainting, all bullshit!

But I was like a corpse! A corpse! And I thought only of you.

Really? Thinking about me while screwing him?

- No… - Well, bravo!

He told me that you were very good.

With a very eloquent gesture he went like this! He did.

He went like that?

Maybe he meant it as a compliment to you. - Compliment?

He's a pig! And you're a whore! And I'm a fool!

I'm expected to lie down there? In the bed where he had you?

Never in a million years. Never!

You disgust me! And he disgusts me.

And I disgust myself too. - And I paid for it.

I've endured everything I've endured so I could finally be with you.

How could I know he was going to do what he did?

What do you want from me? I have no experience!

And I'm not an asshole!

Why not?

Damn it, I've messed up my hand! Son of a bitch!

Marino? What happened?

Marino, why are you on the ground? - Nothing. I'm making a vow.

Isolina. - My Marino! My Marino!

It's wonderful! Wonderful! At last! At last!

Isolina!

Wait, I must kiss the ground.

I'm never coming back here.

There. - Come on.

I salute you, Porto Felice!

Don't look. - Where are we going?

You'll see. - What are you doing? - Wait, okay?

That's far enough. - Wait…

Now see.

All of my shoes! - Nothing's missing.

The complete collection! - You see, I didn't forget.

Look what's here!

The Raphaëls. There they are. - Look how nice!

And the American brushes.

You're amazing.

Brushes too?

And the shoe polish!

Follow me. - Where?

Come with me.

We're going to the kitchen? - No. - To eat?

Oh, no… Here!

You like it? - How splendid!

All in gold! - Is it paid for?

Just the first instalment. - What is this? A frozen room?

I wanted to unwrap it with you.

Shall we unwrap it? Let's do it. - Come on!

I've been waiting for this moment!

Come here! Come here!

Take this part off! - Yeah, let's do that!

My love?

My love?

Isolina? Hey!

Look.

I made you breakfast. - How nice!

Sweet.

If you waited, I would've done it.

I couldn't sleep. - No? Why?

I woke up early and I was thinking, thinking…

What were you thinking?

I was thinking of our future.

You were? - We will be a normal couple.

You, the wife will wait for me and I, the husband, will return.

Home, work. Work, home.

Who'll work?

Me, of course.

I even made up mind what to do.

Really? What?

Managing a shoe store.

It's my vocation. - That's nice.

I won't stop there.

In 2 years, I'll start my own. - Not bad.

In the shoe business, you can make billions.

Exporting Italian shoes abroad.

In America, for example,

saying "Mocassino" is like saying Fiat.

It's a fine plan. - I know.

Magnificent.

Bravo. - Thanks.

Now, to bed. - What are you doing?

Are you going back to bed? - I sure am.

Aren't you starting? - Tomorrow.

I must recoup the 4 years I spent in prison.

Come with me, Isolina. Easy, I want to open new horizons for you.

You? What do you want now?

Marino?

Marino?

Marino!

What happened to you? - Nothing.

Tell me what happened? - Nothing. - Tell me!

An argument between friends.

Give me a wet rag.

I've tried hard,

but I can't find a normal job.

Look how they hurt you! Does it hurt?

If I had asked for a job in a bank, I could understand,

but I wanted to work in a shoe store.

They asked for references.

What was my last job? What could I say?

Who did this? - Drop it.

Who? - Let it go.

Who? - Who…

Them?

Fine, if you really must know, it was them.

It was the only thing I had left.

Even they chased me away.

Son of a bitch.

When you are out of circulation,

and for some time, you lose prestige.

The age of two-tone shoes is over.

How could I know that even in the Lungotevere there are whores.

Incredible…

Even the fact of being married…

You can't do anything. A handicap, as you're aware.

Then, I'll go back to work. I'll re-open the kindergarten.

Great! Kids all over the place? Not even in your dreams.

You're my wife and I'll take care of you.

Even if I have to fight against this society which rejects me, by God!

But I will win out.

Home, work. Work, home.

10,000, please.

Payment in advance.

Okay.

I'm taking them off or I'll lose them.

Oh, my God, my husband is here!

My God, he's discovered us!

I work in secret because he wouldn't like it.

One moment.

No.

If I may? - No, Marino! No!

You wretch! You whore! You pig!

Marino, be careful, alright?

It seems like you're hitting me harder every night.

If I went easy, he'd figure it out.

Yes, but… with four or five slaps every evening…

I'm getting a headache every night.

I'm sorry. Come, my sweetheart.

He paid you in advance?

Oh, he gave me 9000 instead of 10000.

This is where trusting people gets you.

Else, I'd lose them. - Really?

Come here, my dear, come.

Wait. What's the rush?

Wait a moment, okay? - Why wait?

There's no one here. - All the better.

It's not better. - Yes.

Wait a moment!

Marino! Marino!

Marino! - My name is Corrado. Don't move.

Marino!

Damn, it's cold. I'm half frozen!

Meanwhile, that son of a bitch must be at the bistro, dead drunk.

Where are you going to wreak havoc now?

See, he made me bet 30,000 on 71.

If it doesn't come out next week, I'm ruined.

That redhead from yesterday was a transvestite.

I thought so. Too over the top.

Is there more wood?

Have you seen Lame Maria? - No.

Damn, she owes me 10,000 lire.

Dummy, you let her go. - She had to go to the foot doctor.

Tonight we can't make a dime, eh?

God damn it.

Who was that guy?

What are you doing here?

You aren't at the race course?

What did you do? - Do?

I did him.

Yeah?

But you kissed him after. - I did?

I kissed him? - On the mouth.

On the mouth?

You patted his chin, pulled his hair.

I patted him?

No, eh? - I didn't notice.

I noticed.

You don't like that?

What is this? An inspection?

C'mon, he was a client.

Then why didn't you get paid?

He didn't have it, he'll pay tomorrow.

No. It was you who didn't want it.

Say…

you wouldn't be in love?

Look, tonight I got 40,000 lire.

Let it drop.

It's not a question of money.

I don't care about the body at all.

But I do kissing!

And not the rest?

Yes, because that wouldn't hurt my feelings.

Listen, Isolina,

I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you.

What could happen to me?

Tiziana was also a bold girl.

And I even warned her.

What does Tiziana have to do with this?

Isolina, when I love, I love for keeps.

If Tiziana hadn't fallen in love, she wouldn't have come to a bad end.

Marino?

Then it was you?

I've already told you,

I'm the sentimental sort.