Original subtitles

DOOR INTO DARKNESS

It's so difficult...

I must admit you're embarrassing me, Mr. Argento.

What can I say?

We detectives don't encounter that many unusual cases,

and not even very many interesting ones.

Let's see.

Well, one time I happened to find a decapitated corpse.

"Decapitated" means the body was headless.

And next to it were three heads. Severed heads.

Oh, the time it took us to establish which one belonged to the corpse!

- Not such a funny anecdote, huh? - Not really.

I knew it.

Oh, I could also tell you the story about the cemetery caretaker!

- A bit too gruesome, huh? - I'm afraid so.

I got it. It's something that happened a few years ago,

"The Case of the Lady Eyewitness," as we called it back then. You remember it?

- I don't. - Yes, you do! Her name was Roberta Leoni.

She was that nice, kind and level-headed woman who, driving home one night...

This will be the last of our quartet of films, and we decided

to base it on a true story, which is why we came to this detective.

He told us this story, which we found quite strange and disturbing.

Roberta's story.

Watch it. It will interest you.

Goodnight. If you'll be able to sleep, that is.

EYEWITNESS

TAVERN

- The... The bend! - What happened?

- Call the police! - Why?

Someone killed a girl!

The right wheel is one meter and a half from the edge of the road.

We're clone here, Inspector.

All right, all right.

Did you finish investigating the scene?

Yes, but don't expect miracles. It's just stopped raining.

- What about fingerprints? - Indistinguishable. There's lots.

It looks like an army walked through here.

I guess we have basically nothing, then.

And that girl, the witness, where is she?

We left her at the tavern She's still upset.

All right. I'll go talk to her.

Drink this. It'll make you feel better.

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

A little better now.

I'd like to do a recap of the events, if you're up to it.

Was it you that called us?

- No, he did. - She's right, Inspector. I did.

This lady ran in here shaking and looking very upset,

and said there'd been a murder at the bend.

I called the police right away. Was I right?

Yes, it was the right thing to do.

- Did you go over there? - No way. I hate seeing dead people.

Some time ago there was an aunt on my mother's side and...

All right, all right. You can tell me some other time.

So...

I was going home, as usual.

Do you work in the city?

No.

But I'm there a lot.

Today, I went there to pick up some important documents for my husband,

who has been away for work for two days.

I stayed late because I went to see a movie with a friend.

I see. Now, let's get to the facts. How did it happen exactly?

I was driving.

I was going fast.

Not too fast, about 70 or 80 kilometers per hour, I don't remember.

I was near the bend, but I didn't slow down because I know this road, even at night.

I turned.

She appeared right in front of my car and fell.

I hit the brakes. I was sure I hadn't hit her.

Then I saw the blood. So much blood, even on the asphalt.

- Take one. - Thanks.

Did you see anything else? Tell me.

I got up so I could hurry back to the car, and that's when I saw the murderer.

Can you describe him?

It's hard. It all happened so quickly.

He was on the other side of the road, behind the bushes.

What did he look like?

He was tall. He was wearing a raincoat that was dark, maybe black.

He came forward with his arm raised and he had a gun.

Are you sure it was a gun?

- Yes, I'm sure of it. - And what happened then?

I started running and came here.

No, I mean, what did the killer do? Did he chase you?

No, I don't think so, no.

And he didn't try to shoot you, right?

No.

Would... Would you be able to recognize him?

I don't know, it was all so sudden.

Are you at least sure it was a man?

I think so.

I understand, but I'm sure you realize that we have very little evidence.

A dark figure, a gun. It could be anyone.

A man, a woman, anyone out of millions of people.

But once you're able to identify the girl--

Right.

The girl.

How do you feel about going back there?

Where?

The bend.

Good, this is almost the exact same spot.

A matter of centimeters.

Now, get out of the car and tell me where the body was.

Well?

It was there.

Very well. Could you please get back in now?

I want to repeat the last part of the test from the bend.

What do you want from me? Can't you see I can't take this anymore?

It's just a simple test. Are you afraid of something, perhaps?

Afraid of what? I haven't done anything!

I'm just a witness.

Do you think I'm the murderer?

No, I don't. But that's the problem, actually.

When, like you say, there's a murderer, there's also got to be a victim. A body.

And we found neither a murderer nor blood on the asphalt. And, of course, no body.

We found nothing. Nothing at all.

- Inspector, the husband is here. - Let him in.

Come on in, please.

- Hello, Roberta. - Hi.

So, Mr. Leoni, I called you because...

Well, I'm sure they told you over the phone.

- Yes, but... - But you didn't understand.

I'll give you a proper explanation, then, if your wife doesn't mind.

Your wife called us because she claims to have witnessed a murder.

- A murder? - Yes. She's an eyewitness.

But we haven't found any trace of this murder.

I'm not crazy, Inspector, and I don't see imaginary things.

Did you check everything?

Of course. Forensics did their best but found nothing, not even a bloodstain.

Are you sure about what you saw? Do you think that maybe you could be wrong?

Guido, please. Not you, too.

No, I'm sorry.

I believe you, Roberta.

Maybe they took the body away before you arrived.

On the phone they told me you got there later.

Yes, what you said makes sense. What we can do now is check

the reports of women who have recently disappeared,

and see if there's a blonde who fits the description your wife gave us.

In the meantime, Mr. Leoni, I ask you to stay very close to your wife.

Because if she really witnessed a murder, well, then the killer could show up.

And if she made up this story,

then I guess your wife needs your help even more.

- Do you understand me? - Yes, of course.

You don't believe me either?

Of course I do, Roberta. What are you talking about?

There's no point in pretending.

You heard what the inspector said, Roberta.

If they didn't find a body...

Yes. There's no body. Therefore I must be crazy.

This means you've been living with a woman for six years without realizing she's nuts.

Does this sound normal to you?

Stop talking like that, you're still upset.

Besides, no matter what happened, it's all over now, right?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Who's there?

Roberta...

- What's wrong? - I'm sorry.

- I got scared. - I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to startle you.

- Why are you back so early? - I asked for some time off.

Did the police call with some news?

No.

It's better this way.

Here.

Why?

What clay is today?

- Well... - It's the 7th of September.

Our anniversary.

Did you have fun?

Yes, a lot.

Why are you looking at me like that?

No reason. No reason at all.

I know what you're thinking. That was the bend where it happened.

Don't worry, though. I probably dreamed the whole thing.

Really?

Anyone could do something crazy. It happens.

Not in your case. I know you too well. You're not that kind of person.

Listen, Guido.

Do you love me?

I do.

How much?

A lot.

- Stop the car, then! - What?

You heard me.

- Here? - Here.

Careful! What are you doing? We're going to crash!

What's the matter with you?

- What's going on? - Kiss me.

- Come on, kiss me! - Here?

I closed the door.

I closed it, I swear.

What are you doing?

We have to go in, don't you think?

There's no power.

What could have happened?

- Are you sure you closed the door? - Of course.

I clearly remember turning the key twice.

Someone has been here, then.

I'll go check upstairs.

There's nothing missing here.

It wasn't thieves.

However, I think we'd better call the police.

- We shouldn't. - Why not?

What will you tell them?

That some thieves broke in without stealing anything?

They'll think you're crazy, too.

What are you talking about? We found our front door open!

Exactly, our front door open.

They'll say you forgot to close it.

Stop saying that. I'm sure I locked it.

And I clearly remember seeing a body

that night.

And the blood.

Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Leoni?

Yes?

It's Inspector Rocchi. Do you remember me?

Of course, I do. Did you find anything?

Well, not exactly. Could you come to my office?

- When? - Whenever you prefer.

I can come right away.

Certainly.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No. Not this one either.

No.

No.

All these people are missing?

Unbelievable, isn't it?

Hundreds of people disappear every year.

- What happens to them? - Who knows?

Take a look at that one, for instance.

Bruna Busoni, 28 years old.

One morning, she went out to buy groceries and never came back.

She left two children, ages 4 and 6,

a husband, a quiet life.

And for what?

Who knows?

Maybe she ended up in some basement, working like a slave for another man.

Or maybe... Who knows?

You see, miss, in order to track down every missing person

we'd need thousands and thousands of agents.

Besides, a good number of these people doesn't even want to be found.

No, it's not her.

Here's the last one for today.

No.

Take a look at these ones, too, please.

It's pictures of recently found bodies.

No.

Well, I thought as much.

The description you gave us doesn't fit any of these poor girls.

But don't worry. If this dead girl really exists, we'll find her body,

sooner or later.

You don't really believe me, do you? Be honest with me.

I'm more than willing to believe you, miss,

but I need at least a clue, a piece of evidence, anything.

I did everything I could.

I've shown you the pictures and notified the other local police stations.

I even checked the hospitals.

Try to understand my situation. I have to take care of a whole community.

And you know how many people are there? Almost 50,000.

You can't even imagine what I go through every day.

And, concerning your case, you're the only one who's seen this body.

No traces at all, no clues either, not even a tiny drop of blood.

What I'm trying to say is that you must be patient and wait.

- God! What happened? - She slipped!

- Are you okay, miss? - Make way. Make way!

- I'm fine. - Are you hurt, miss?

- I'll take you to the hospital. - Take me to the police station!

I didn't slip.

Somebody pushed me.

They wanted to kill me.

Yes, all of a sudden I saw her slip off the sidewalk.

I saw her tripping on the sidewalk and falling in front of that car.

The girl slipped by herself. I can say it without a doubt.

I honestly can't say if somebody pushed her.

I saw her slipping by herself.

You don't have to believe me, Inspector.

You can think I'm imagining things, like it was with the murder.

But I assure you, I was pushed.

I felt a hand touching my back and then pushing me.

I didn't slip. Somebody pushed me.

They tried to kill me.

That's a double case of bad luck, miss.

I never met someone like you before!

You see someone getting murdered but we can't find the body!

You say someone is trying to kill you, but all the witnesses contradict you!

- And? - And, well...

You're either imagining things or you're a pathological liar...

Or it's all true, you witnessed a murder and the culprit is trying to kill you.

You've become a dangerous witness, you see, a very dangerous witness.

- And you believe that... - I believe that

you're absolutely sane.

And, despite everything that's happened so far, your mind and nerves are still strong.

You're not crazy, to put it bluntly.

And if you say you've seen something, then you've seen it for real.

- You're not making fun of me, are you? - I'd never do that.

You see, Roberta,

I like you.

You know that? I'm not joking. You have character, you didn't lose hope,

you didn't let yourself go, and I'm gonna help you for real.

Yes, I don't care what it's gonna take, but I'll catch that son of a...

Excuse my language. The criminal who's been tormenting you...

But there's one thing I want you to promise me.

What?

The next few days, I want you to leave your house as little as possible.

Stay close to your husband. Don't take any risks.

Whoever attempted to kill you could try it again, Roberta.

- Where are you going now? - Home.

- Is your husband in? - No, he's out of town.

He'll be back late.

Well...

Can't you stay with a neighbor?

A neighbor? Our house is in an isolated area, there are no neighbors.

Listen carefully. Lock yourself in and don't go out.

Don't open the door unless it's people you trust. You promise me?

- Of course. - If anything should happen, call me.

Here, this is my personal number.

Don't think twice about using it. I'm available anytime.

As of this moment, Inspector Rocchi works for you.

Hello?

- Hello? - Roberta...

Yes?

You had to go too for, and now I have to kill you.

Who's this?

- You know who it is. - But I didn't see anyone!

I wasn't even able to identify the body. I don't know who she was, I swear!

You've seen too much, Roberta. And you didn't mind your own business.

You should have forgotten everything, but you chose not to.

I'm coming there now. To kill you.

My husband is here! You'll never make it!

False, dear Roberta.

Your husband is out of town and he'll be back late. You're alone right now.

- Hello? - Yes?

Hello? Who do you want to speak to?

Inspector Rocchi!

Hello?

Hello?

What's going on? Calm down!

- They want to kill me! - Who?

They want to kill me! The phone call!

Calm down! What happened?

Calm down, Roberta. Calm down.

- The phone call... - Tell me, my love.

Let's go inside, try to calm down.

Come on, tell me everything.

Bastard.

That damn bastard!

I'd like him to try to get in now.

The windows!

Quick, help me! Let's close all the blinds!

Well done. Now, you stay there, hide behind the couch.

Good. Lie down and don't move.

No.

I'll be here, against the wall.

Wait...

What did the voice on the phone say?

- That he knew that you were alone? - Yes.

And that I'd be back late?

He knows everything about us. I don't know how!

It's strange, yes, but we'll think it over tomorrow.

The important thing is that he believes I'll be late, like I was supposed to.

He can't know that I had a problem that forced me to return here at 8.

- But why? - Because it's important!

It's important, I tell you!

I've got an idea, Roberta, but I need you to be brave!

- Very brave. - Yes.

He thinks you're alone,

but if he sees my car he'll know that I'm back.

Here's my idea...

I'll leave the house and drive away. I'll leave the car in the grove outside.

Then I'll return immediately, but I won't come inside.

No, don't be scared.

Don't be scared.

I'll hide in the bushes under the bedroom.

You have to calmly walk upstairs,

and then take your clothes off as if you're going to bed.

Do everything in front of the windows, and pretend that his call didn't upset you.

We'll remain within earshot.

I'm armed.

No one will be able to see me if I hide.

And if someone tries to break in, he'll get a bullet between the eyes!

- You think that... - Of course!

He's convinced there will be nothing to stop him,

and once I'll see him in front of the door...

You must remain calm, though. You must be brave.

But you have to act the part perfectly.

Yes?

I'm going. Good luck, my love.

We don't have much time.

Bye.

Guido?

Are you there?

Guido?

It's all good, Roberta, but lower your voice or he'll hear you.

I just got here and it's all quiet.

- How's it going? - Good. It's all good.

- What happened? - Nothing.

It's all good.

That wasn't Guido's voice!

What do I do now? That wasn't his voice!

The door bolt...

It's all useless, Roberta.

You can't stop me from getting in.

No.

Put that down, you idiot!

What have you done to Guido? Did you kill him?

Kill me?

- How's your hand? - It hurts like hell, damn it!

Just get it over with, Anna! I'm losing blood here!

All right.

What's happening? I feel like I'm going insane! But why? Why?

Why? You want to know why?

Because your Guido has never been yours.

Because I hate you, Roberta.

I hate you and I hate this house. I hate your lies and I hate your hysteria.

And then... Then I found a woman.

A real woman, Roberta.

Together we planned to kill you. It'll be real simple.

The police have always considered you a crazy liar, a nutjob!

But you insisted, and someone tried to push you under a car.

The murderer, naturally. The murderer wanting to get rid of the eyewitness.

Then, one night, someone kills you. Someone who had to break into your house.

Your husband? No, he's so much in love with you.

Besides, he wouldn't have had to break into his own house.

He'll be back home in an hour, and he'll call the police,

because he'll be horrified to discover that his wife has been murdered!

That's enough! Kill her, come on!

The hand! How are you going to explain the wound?

Don't worry, I'll find a good excuse for it.

Kill her!

But, I say...

You...

You really believed we were that dumb and naive?

Dumb. You thought we're dumb.

But we aren't kids, you fool!

What did you think, that we'd have swallowed all your lies?

We'd have caught you anyway.

Even if you managed to kill that poor girl.

Take them away!

- How's she? - She's passed out.

- Find a telephone and call the doctor. - All right.

- Inspector? - Yes?

Thank you.

You're welcome.

No, wait! Listen!

Who called you?

Oh, no one.

We got here by pure chance.

The river police called us because they recovered a female corpse in the water.

A blonde girl that matched your description of the murder victim.

So we came over here to show you the picture.

Now we know it's not her.

Keep this picture, though.

This poor drowned girl,

this stranger,

she just saved your life.

Subtitles by Francesco Massaccesi