All language subtitles for Il.conformista.1970.720p.BluRay.x264.AC3-MLT.en

THE CONFORMIST

It's me.

Everything all right?

What do you mean she's gone?
She's gone, too?

I'll be waiting in front of the hotel.
Right away.

Who could have guessed
a thing like that, sir?

When he got down into the street,
it was still dark.

Then the front door opened again,
and she came out, too.

I thought she must have
come down to say goodbye to him.

Instead, she opens
the door of the car,

makes the dog get in, gets in herself,
and they're off.

Aren't you listening, sir?

Yes. Yes.

Damn it. This is something
we didn't want. Anyway,

as far as I'm concerned,
I followed the instructions.

You've made up your mind?

What do you think marriage
will get you?

I don't know.
The impression of normalcy.

- Normalcy.
- Yes. Stability, security.

In the morning when I'm dressing
in the mirror I see myself.

And compared to everyone else,
I feel I'm different.

What do you see in Giulia?

It may be her body, her sensuality.

Yes? And she?

The minute we're alone
she wants to fool around.

- And then?
- It usually ends up rolling on the rug.

- And the maid with the big tits?
- 0h, she's part of the dowry.

So you're getting married,
and I'm losing my best friend.

Anyway, I'm glad.

Two minutes
and you're on, Mr. Italo.

You're sure he's arriving?

The Colonel? Of course. He'll be here.

He promised. He's very interested.

It's best if you're quiet.
It's funny though, you know?

Everyone would like
to be different from the others,

but instead you want to be
the same as everyone else.

Ten years ago,
my father was in Munich.

Often after the theater,
he told me that

he'd go with friends to a Bierstube.

There was a nutty funny man...

He spoke about politics.

He was quite an attraction.

They'd buy him beer
and encourage him.

He'd stand up on the table
making furious speeches.

It was Hitler.

Ladies and gentlemen,
that was "Who's Happier Than I"

by Cesare Andrea Bixio.

We conclude our program
of popular music

with Arcangeli and his Orchestra.

The singers were Silvana Fioresi,
Oscar Carboni,

Lina Termini and 'The Swallows!

We bring you now
"Mystique of an Alliance';

a talk by Italo Montanari.

Italy and Germany,
two strongholds of light.

In the course of centuries,

all their encounters
mark a turning point

in the course of world history.

Today, by virtue of their two leaders,
these two peoples are rediscovering

their ancient virtues.

Virtues that embody
similarity and reciprocity

that have been long forgotten,

that which Goebbels calls
"the Prussian aspect"

of Benito Mussolini,

and that we call
"the Latin aspect" of Adolf Hitler.

Italy and Germany, bringing the world

two great anti-parliamentarian
and anti-democratic revolutions.

Please stay seated, my dear Clerici.

Is there any news for me?

Your personal record is really excellent.

Then I'm hired?

Such decisions must be taken slowly.

Yes, I understand.

Civil servant, well-educated in classics,
good future career,

and Comrade Montanari
has recommended you.

One morning you come to the ministry.

You arrive at my office
with your bright and shining face,

you make a specific proposal.

The office of the Minister!

Did you ever ask yourself why
people want to collaborate with us?

Some do it out of fear,

most of them for the money.

For faith in Fascism, very few.

But you, no.

I feel that you're not governed
by any of these reasons.

And when may I expect a reply?

I hope very soon.

...undermining the strength of
revolutionary ideals and Fascist faith...

I must ask myself what your aim is.

I stand prepared to go,
as soon as you decide.

Fine.

I'll introduce you to the Minister.

Clerici! Clerici!

- At your service. - I advise the
Secretary. The Minister's expecting us.

Is this the first time
you're seeing the Minister?

Yes.

When I explained your plan to him,
the first thing he said was, "Superb.

Get to Professor Quadri
and you inspire his faith in you.

You join his circle and try to discover
who his contacts in Italy are."

Yes, yes, superb!

And even more important, spontaneous!

- And also, voluntary.
- Voluntary agency.

For repressing Anti-Fascism.

You've got to try
and understand women.

Say she had decided to stay in Paris.
She could have, no?

"Animula vagula blandula

hospes comesque corporis."

I'm sorry, I didn't get that.

It's nothing. It's Latin.

Five seconds, four seconds,

three seconds, two seconds,
one second.

The correct time
at the signal was 1:00 p.m.

Newscast.

Here.

Pretty.

Marcello, aren't you giving
them to me?

Today I absolutely need your flowers.

Give them here. For you.

You know what I was thinking?
I really must go to a fortune teller.

I want to know everything about you.

Why are you standing there?

Darling!

Careful!

But, Marcello, we're engaged,
what's wrong with it?

My uncle brought something
from America.

What is it?

Mama made out a list of invitations.

- Want to see it?
- No, I trust her.

I was talking to Don Lattanzi.

If you want to marry,
you go to Communion,

and before that,
you go to Confession.

Otherwise he says he cannot marry us.

I don't believe in it.

Who does?

Ninety percent of the people
who go to church today don't believe.

The priests don't either.

All right, if you want me to,
I'll even confess.

I love you.

If you want to...

- If I want to...
- Yes, right here.

On the floor, on the carpet.
Want to?

Better think about the priest.

He may not grant absolution.

They grant everyone absolution.

After all, it will be so soon...
our honeymoon.

Have you decided yet, where?

Yes.

But I can't tell you anything yet.

It's a surprise.

- A surprise?
- A surprise?!

Yes, yes, I adore surprises.

Giulia, leave us alone.

- Marcello, someone has it in for us...
- Come and eat!

An anonymous letter...

An anonymous letter?!

But you know
they're just awful to do this.

Worse than stabbing us in the back.

But what's in the letter?

It arrived this morning
and the stamp is from Rome.

Hey, I want to see
what's written there.

Read it aloud.Then I'll burn it.

There are such ugly things in it.

"Signora, in permitting your daughter
and Mr. Clerici to marry,

you're committing more than an error,

you're committing a crime."

"Signor Clerici's father

has been confined in a mental home,
with a brain disease

brought on by syphilis.

As you know, this disease is hereditary.

There's still time to stop this marriage.
A friend."

I'd be happy to undergo a check-up.

- Ridiculous.
- No. I don't mind a bit.

In Germany, premarital medical tests
are obligatory, someone told me.

My boy, you're not just a man,

you're an angel!

Thank you.

You see, the origin of my father's
mental illness isn't luetic.

That can be medically confirmed.

By the way,
my little girl has had the mumps,

scarlet fever, and German measles.

- They're all very moral maladies.
- Yes!

Look here, who are you?
Why are you following me?

Pure coincidence.

I wasn't following you.

Evidently, we're both going
to the same place.

I'd like to ask you something.
Would your name be Clerici?

Yes, I'm Mr. Clerici.
And who are you?

I'm Special Agent Manganiello.
Sent by the Colonel.

Get in.

- Thanks.
- 'Trees'!

Such disorder.
The place looks like a dung heap.

Yes, it's a pity.

'Trees'!

Speed up, Manganiello,
or we won't catch up with them.

I can't go faster than this, sir.
The road is slippery.

Not more than half an hour ahead.

Don't talk so much. Hurry!

My God, it's slippery.

I know. But we must save her,
no matter how slippery.

I understand you.

But if we break our necks,
where will that get us, sir?

Comrade, the Colonel told me
that I have to tell you...

After. Wait here.

Mother. Please cover yourself.

I don't want to see you half nude.

What a son I have.
A moralist my son is now.

You know? I had a dream just now.

You came in here by that door,
you sat on my bed.

You kissed me actually.

Why aren't you dressed?

What's the time?

It's late. We're going to visit papa.

Why doesn't he die?

All that hospital money we'd save,
and I've got so little.

- Sell the car.
- No. I'm not going to sell that.

If I do,
it means discharging 'Trees'

and I don't want to dismiss him.

I get so lonely in this house.

I want to see him when I please.

Please don't talk to me
about your lovers.

What do you mean? There's only one.

And he's much more elegant
than your silly fiancée is.

What a toady you are!

No, I'm not selling the car.

I will sell the house.

I want to travel around Europe.

'Trees' was born to travel.

And Rome has become so provincial.

Middle-class children marrying
into all kinds of good families.

It's all a lot of horse manure!

- Special Agent Manganiello!
- Present!

Does this house look normal to you?
A place for normal people?

The Colonel told me
that I have to tell you...

For a normal childhood?

The decadence here
makes me nauseous.

- Manganiello.
- Yes, sir?

Comrade.

Do you see this?

It's morphine.

What did the Colonel say?

There's a small change
in the program.

On your way to Paris
before you cross the frontier,

you must stop at Ventimiglia,
Via dei Glicini, number three.

What's at number three,
Via dei Glicini?

You'll meet a trusted person
called Raoul.

He'll give you further instructions.

How long have you been in the ranks?

I began in 1923.

Turkey, France, Africa, Greece.

- Always into the breach?
- I'm always on the move.

All for family and my country.

Your country before the family.

Yes, sir.

Comrade.

Manganiello, you see that individual?

His name is Ki.

- Ki?
- That's him.

'Ki' means 'trees' in Japanese.

Being called 'Trees' isn't normal.

He's a procurer.

He couldn't be my brother,
but my mother could be his mother.

I said it doesn't seem normal.

He brings her morphine
and uses her as he likes.

'- Trees'?
- Yes.

You must understand
why I tell you this.

Five minutes and he won't have
the time to take a valise.

Tell the Colonel to count on me!

Trees! Trees!

- Hemlock!
- Where is he hiding?

You weren't rude to him again,
were you?

I? No, he's so charming.

Hemlock!

Hemlock!

Hemlock...

Ki-Ki!

Have you looked in his room?

I've looked everywhere.
Even under your bed.

- How are things going, Franz?
- Better than yesterday.

- Yesterday, we were bad.
- Pretty bad?

Yesterday we were forced
to wear our straitjacket.

- And today?
- Today is better.

The wind seems
to help our inspiration.

I'll never be tired of repeating:

if the State doesn't model itself

on the image of the individual,
how will the individual

ever model himself
in the image of the State?

Et cetera, et cetera.

Slaughter and melancholy.

Slaughter and melancholy.

Antonio, your son's
decided to get married.

Marcello getting married?

Slaughter and melancholy.

Look.

The announcement of the wedding.

Stop it. He's your father!

I like it. Sign it.

Read. He's not as crazy as he looks.

May I ask a moment alone
with my father?

When I was just a boy,

you used to tell me
about your punitive forays.

I don't know,
I can't recall anything.

But why are you ashamed?
It's important for me.

When you were healthy,
you used a big cudgel.

Yes.

- And did you give castor oil to them?
- Yes.

- And didn't you torture them?
- Yes.

Didn't you kill? You killed, too?

Go away! Franz! Franz!

Do you believe at all in fate, sir?

Well, two years ago in Africa,
after a mission like this,

they tell me at Headquarters,
"Did you receive the counter-orders?"

"Hey, what counter-orders?"

Well, in Rome, they decided
to suspend the whole thing

because it wasn't necessary.

Let's hurry!

There's nothing we can do
for the woman

even if we get there in time.

You know perfectly well
we can't afford any witnesses.

Then stop!

I'll get out!

What's the use of going? You go!

Mr. Marcello!

But we have to be there.
We have a certain responsibility.

Would you look at that!

Stop!

Stop!

Who makes the report otherwise?

Come on, pull it down!

Unbutton his pants!

The police! The police! Come on!

Stop!

- What's your name?
- Marcello Clerici. What's yours?

Pasqualino Semirama. But call me Lino.

How long is it since
your last confession?

Since I made
my first Holy Communion.

Bad, my son, very bad.

- How old are you?
- Thirty-four.

And all this time
you have lived like an animal?

Tell me, which sins
have you committed?

I've committed them all.
Even the worst sin.

- All?
- All. Even murder.

Murder? And you didn't
feel the need to confess?

Pardon?

You didn't feel the need
to rush to confession?

I was 13.

Well, what were your friends
trying to do?

They're just stupid.

- What did they want from you?
- Nothing.

All right, then, what present?

A gun.

- A cap pistol?
- No, a real one.

I have one, too. A Mauser.

You want it?
If you want it, I'll give it to you.

- Where is it?
- It's in my room. Come.

I have a pretty oriental kimono, too.

- Do you know who Madame Butterfly is?
- Where are we going?

Go on, tell me.
What did he want from you?

I didn't know what.
He was so much like a woman.

- A woman?
- I felt him trembling.

Well, what happened? Kisses?

Touching you?

Are you sure
you're telling me the truth?

Yes.

And what happened there between you?
Carnal relations?

Shoot. What are you waiting for?
Go on, shoot.

Kill the pretty butterfly!

- Now you must tell me the details.
- No, that's enough, please.

It's almost as though
the Church thinks sodomy

is a more mortal sin
than killing somebody.

I won't permit such insolence.

You are forgetting
that I happen to be the priest,

and you the sinner.

After that once, did you have
sexual relations with other men?

No. All the rest were normal.

Which means what?

A brothel when I was 18.

Since then,
relationships only with women.

This in your opinion
is a sexual life that's normal?

Yes. But why?

But you, my son,
have always lived in sin.

Normal means matrimony,
having a wife, family.

That's what I want.

Bravo, bravo, bravo.

I'm going to build
a life that's normal.

I'm marrying a petty bourgeois.

Then she must be a fine girl.

Speak out. Go ahead!

Mediocre.

A mound of petty ideas.

Full of petty ambitions.

She's all bed and kitchen.

You mustn't use such expressions.

Normality.

I intend to construct my normality,
but it won't be easy.

- Stay within religion...
- Outside religion!

God is so bountiful.
The Virgin is so maternal.

Christ is so merciful to us all.

And the priest is so blessed
with understanding.

You haven't demonstrated
any horror at my crime yet.

You are just...

...surprised because I didn't run
to confession right away.

The one thing you have to do
is repent humbly,

ask His pardon.

I've already repented.
I want to be excused by society.

Yes.

I want to confess today
the sin I'll commit tomorrow.

One sin atones for another.

It is the price I must pay society.
And I shall pay it.

Are you a part of some new sect?

Do you belong
to a group of subversives?

No. No.

I belong to a group that
tracks down all the subversives.

Ego te absolvo

a peccatis tuis.

Music!

Long live the bridegroom!

Long live the bridegroom!

Congratulations!

- When is the wedding?
- Next Sunday.

The bride, why didn't you bring her?

What's her name?

Let's drink to
the end of bachelorhood!

- We have biscuits, too?
- Crackers as well.

Only a drop. Pour me just a drop.

It goes to my head quickly.

I'm having a big mouthful!

Let's dance now!

- This party touched my heart.
- People wanted to meet you.

- Never mind. It's just a tray.
- It's a lucky sign.

You know, they're so excitable.

Whenever there is a seeing man
among us, people get excited.

Forgive them.

- I'm going on a mission.
- Good!

Your introduction was precious.

- I appreciate it.
- I am never refused.

Music! Come on, let's play!

Hey, folks, they are waiting
to speak with the Duce.

Suddenly a frightful scream is heard.

Leave me alone...

- That's enough.
- I didn't do anything wrong...

Senigallia, where are you?
Started again?

Last time's lesson wasn't enough
for you? Stop crying.

I'll play for you the last
foxtrot by Maestro Delerue.

What do you get
out of working for the OVRA?

I get the feeling I'm finally back

to the normal state
I mentioned to you.

- What do you think a normal man
is like? - A normal man?

For me, a normal man is one

who turns his head to look at
a beautiful woman's bottom.

And he finds out he isn't
the only one to have turned his head.

There are at least 5-6 people
doing that,

and he is glad to find people
who are like him, his equals.

That's why he likes crowded beaches,

football, the bars downtown...

The huge gatherings
in Piazza Venezia.

He likes people similar to himself

and does not trust
those who are different.

That's why a normal man is
a true brother, a true citizen,

- a true patriot, a true...
- A true Fascist.

You haven't ever wondered
how come we're friends?

Since we're... different
from the others.

We are two of a kind.

Marcello... Are you here?

What's the matter, you don't agree?
I know you do.

I am never wrong.

"Listen.
Rain from scattered clouds.

Rains on the tamarisks
briny and singeing,

rain on the pines
scaly and bristly,

rain on the divine myrtles...

...rain on our bare hands,

on our light clothes,

on the fresh thoughts
that the new soul reveals,

on the beautiful tale
that deceived you yesterday,

that is deceiving me today,
oh Hermione."

Marcello, I am unworthy of you.

Marcello, I am unworthy of you.

Yes, yes. I don't deserve you.

You sound the same as your mother.

I have something to tell you,
but please look out there.

If you look, I'll be ashamed.

Maybe afterwards
you won't love me anymore,

but I've got to tell you.

You know,
what you think of me isn't true.

You think I'm a virgin. I'm not.

What do you think of me now?

I didn't marry you because
I thought you're still a virgin.

Dearest, I know
your mentality's modern,

but then I felt
I should tell you the truth.

I forgot to mention it.

At Ventimiglia, we'll get off.
I've got an appointment.

But I have to tell you
the whole thing.

You're angry.

You were in love with someone before
you met me, that's all. Who was it?

He was a man of 60.
A very disgusting old man.

A friend of my family's.

- Who is it?
- It's the Advocate Perpuzio.

Perpuzio?

- But he's one of our witnesses.
- He insisted on it.

But how was I going to say no?

- Six years it went on.
- Six years?

Six years.

Come in.

Pardon, monsieur. We'll be
in Ventimiglia in a few minutes.

Thank you.

- This is number three, Via dei Glicini?
- Number three.

You lost, give us the money!

Who is it?

He looked to me like he might be
an officer in civvies!

This isn't a museum.
Go inside, go inside!

I'll send the others down right away.

I'm crazy, a complete maniac.

Again! Say it again.

The gentleman is a friend
of Signor Raoul's.

Go on! Say it!

I'm crazy, a complete maniac.

I'm crazy.

Clerici!

What are you doing wasting time?

Come here!

What do you mean?

Professor Quadri's activities in France

have become interfering
and provocative.

It's become necessary
to make an example of him.

You ought to get in contact
and inspire a confidence in him

and get information.

- But now...
- But now?

There's a counter-order from Rome.
All you do is eliminate him.

- That clear?
- Very.

The operation will not
take place in Paris.

It's up to you to choose
the locale and the moment.

It's up to you.

There's nothing more to talk about.

Fine. This means
I have no alternative.

Comrade Clerici!

It must be quick and decisive!
Comrade!

The train for Paris
leaves in an hour.

I lost my hat. Where's my hat?
Where is it?

Then he entered the room. Slowly.

Finally he stood behind me
and said, "What are you doing?

Come and sit here."

"I'm writing
my Italian composition", I said.

He grabbed me by my hair.

And then, imagine,
I used to call him 'uncle'.

He unbuttoned my blouse then.

I was well-developed at 15.

He began to squeeze me harder
and harder until I almost fainted.

And then, I don't know.
I was suddenly on the bed.

He was on top of me.

Then I understood everything
and all my strength left me.

Did you like it?

- I lay there passive.
- And then?

He did everything to me he wanted.

I cried so much,
and in order to console me,

he said he was absolutely,
absolutely crazy about me.

Six years.

I would like Medicis, 1537.

- Length nine and width...
- I'll wait.

Who are you telephoning to?
One, two, three...

- A man with a hump.
- Hunchbacks bring good luck!

Five and six.

Six by nine ought to amount
to 54 meters square, isn't it?

That's right.

He was my professor
at the university.

We named him Smerdjakov.

But his was the only class
that was crowded.

All the freshman girls
were in love with him.

Still busy?

Please, in a few minutes
will you ring it for me?

The year I was supposed to graduate,
they gave him the castor oil.

He won't remember me
after nine years.

I had to go and
ask him for my thesis.

He asked me if I was a Fascist.

And what did you answer?

I didn't bother to answer him.

He told me it would be
impossible for him

to teach philosophy
in a Fascist country.

Hello.

This is Clerici. I was
a student of yours back in Rome,

and I'd like to see you again.

Of course, Professor.
I came about my graduate thesis.

It was the year that
you stopped teaching.

I don't remember your name.

It was so long ago. Clerici, you said?

Yes. And you said to me...
I remember that so well,

you said,
"The time for reflection is over for me.

Now begins the time for action."

- And you want to see me?
- Yes.

Why?

I don't have any precise reason.

They still speak about you in Rome.

And I'd like to see you, that's all.

Let's see.
Could you come over to my house?

Yes. When?

Today if you like, after lunch.
Come and have a coffee.

I'm honeymooning in Paris.

- Would it be all right
if I brought my wife? - Yes, yes...

Of course.
Seventeen Rue Saint Jacques.

- I'll see you later then.
- Thank you.

He has a nice voice.
Not like a hunchback's.

What shall I wear?
Street clothes or really get dressed up?

But why bother?

He'll be a typical intellectual,
disagreeable and impotent.

How do you know that?

I don't really.
My uncle used to always say that.

- Uncle Perpuzio!
- Laugh, laugh.

Only he's the one
who sent the anonymous letter.

Cut that out!

But, Marcello...

Answer that. Say I'm not in.

- But what if they speak French?
- No, they'll speak Italian.

- Answer the phone!
- Yes...

Hello?

No, he's not in.

Very well, I'll tell him.

He said he'd call back
this afternoon.

Funny name, Manganiello.

- Yes, what is it?
- I'm Monsieur Clerici.

- You've got the wrong apartment.
- No, I'm not wrong.

You're Italian?

The Professor is expecting them.
Tell him. I'll take care.

Get away, Marcello!

Get away!
He'll bite you! Run!

Down, Roby!

Get down! Sit down!

You're Monsieur Clerici, aren't you?

Come in.

- Nothing to be afraid of.
- I'm not a bit frightened.

Well then, come up.
He won't bite my friends.

Funny, usually dogs like me.

Is this the first time
you're visiting Paris?

- Do you like it?
- Yes. It's so pretty.

The station, the hotel, and now here.

- Please.
- Thank you.

If you like, later I could
show you a bit of the town.

Really? And then
when you come to Italy,

I can show you around Rome.

The piazzas, the churches,
the museums...

Yes.

What are they not coming?
The coffee will get cold.

Come on, boys,
the coffee's getting cold.

I wonder why she seems so hostile.

Does she seem hostile?
But she's nice to me.

She acts like
she knows me a hundred years.

She seems to be angry with me.
I never met her.

Don't even know who she is.

She's married to Professor Quadri.

She's young enough
to be his daughter.

Didn't you hear her saying,
"My husband's inside"?

- She said "my husband"?
- But certainly.

No, I don't agree.
Printing in the shop is too expensive.

But we'll never accomplish
anything with the mimeograph.

- Thirty thousand copies is no joke...
- It always breaks down.

There is a small print shop
in Montparnasse.

It's too risky and it costs too much.
We might as well buy a printing press.

At least, we can recoup expenses
in 3-4 months...

We'll discuss it later.
Professor Quadri will decide.

Mr. Clerici, my husband says
he apologizes. He's still busy

but he'll see you
in a few minutes, all right?

- Yes, I've got time.
- He said we might dine tonight.

We'd love to.

Later we might stop
at Joinville and dance.

- You agree?
- I'm always in for dancing!

Is dancing still allowed in Italy?

Now that I think of it,
it's impossible.

Why?

'Cause I didn't bring
a gown with me.

You know what? I'll go with you
and we'll shop together.

- Shouldn't we go immediately?
- No. I have a class at school at 3:30.

But we can meet at your hotel
if you like at 5:00.

- At what hotel are you?
- At the D'Orsay.

- Then we'll see you at 5:00?
- No.

Shopping is only for women.
Husbands pay.

You mean I can go
and you won't mind?

No.

Take him to the Professor.

Come in, come in, Clerici.
Did they give you coffee?

- Yes, thank you.
- Goodbye. Thank you.

- Giulia.
- Yes.

I'm curious.

Before you married him,
did you go to bed with him?

I'm very curious, Clerici.

You come all this way
only to see me?

Remember, Professor,

as soon as you used
to enter the classroom

they had to shut the windows.

You couldn't stand all that light,
that noise.

Later, I understood
why you used to do that.

All these years,

you know what remained most
firmly imprinted on my memory?

Your voice.

Imagine a great dungeon
in the shape of a cave.

Inside, men who have
lived there since childhood,

all chained, and forced
to face the back of the cave.

Behind them, far away,
the light from a fire flickers.

Between the fire and the prisoners,
imagine a low wall

similar to that little stage

on which a puppeteer
shows his puppets.

That was November 1928.

Yes, I remember.

Now try and imagine some other men

passing behind that little wall

bearing statues
made of wood and stone.

The statues are higher
than that wall.

You couldn't have brought me
a better gift than these memories.

The enchained prisoners of Plato.

And how they resemble us.

- And what do they see?
- What do they see?

You who come from Italy
should know from experience.

They see only the shadows
the fire makes

on the back of the cavern
that faces them.

Shadows.
The reflections of things.

Like what's happening
to you people now in Italy.

Say those prisoners were at liberty
and could speak out.

Mightn't they call the shadows
they see reality, not visions?

Yes. They would mistake for reality,
the shadows of reality.

The myth of the great cave.

That was the graduate thesis
you proposed to do for me.

- Did you finish it afterwards?
- You departed. I used a different theme.

I'm truly sorry, Clerici.
I had so much faith in you.

- In all of you.
- No, I don't believe it.

If that were true,
you'd never have left Rome.

That's fine. Go on!

Go on. Move faster.

Move faster. Move faster.

Move faster. Move faster.

At the point we had reached
there was no other choice.

All we could do was emigrate.
We wanted everyone

to be able to feel in our disdain
and in our rebellion as exiles,

the meaning of our struggle,
the historical meaning.

Beautiful words, but you left
and I became a Fascist.

Excuse me, Clerici,

but a confirmed Fascist
doesn't talk like that.

Yes? Yes, it's me.
Yes. Go ahead.

One lover? Only one?

"She'd Iain on straw
strewn on the floor

For a ruddy red-haired pimping rake.

A garlic-reeking Jewish score
Who with Formosa on his wake

Kept her Shanghaied as his whore."

You really will lend me these foxes?

Of course.
Keep them as long as you like.

Thank you.

Wait for me. I'll be right back.

Do you often go around
people's houses spying?

Stop talking to me in French!

I met a woman with your eyes.

- Where?
- Ventimiglia.

The resemblance is unbelievable.

- And who was she?
- A prostitute.

Many thanks.

- Did she kiss well?
- It would be like kissing you.

- How did it end up then?
- It didn't.

I embraced her and that was it.

I was left with this great desire
to find her again.

- Why are you so hostile?
- Because I'm sincere.

Over here she had a scar.

No! No! Let me go! Bastard!

Who knows what it's for?

But it isn't gold
the way I imagined.

From here it's almost as small
as the one I have on my night table.

They say at least once a month,

some lover throws himself off.
How stupid.

- You want to go to the Tower?
- Yes.

Taxi!

Yes. I'm glad we're going up
the Eiffel Tower.

Quick! To the Eiffel Tower. Ciao!

And you? Marcello!

Attention!

Now, supple. Go on. Hup!

Héléne, chin up.

Hup!

Try it again now.

Watch your knees, Denise.

Take a breath.

It's starting to look good, isn't it?

Goon. Hup!

Your head.

Feet well together, my dear.

Your points out.

Eyes still, Margot.

Don't be afraid.
There you go, bravo!

Take a five minutes' break.

Thank you, madam.

- Is there some place to talk?
- Here.

- No, not here.
- Why not?

I have some friends in Brazil.

I'll leave everything
if you come with me.

I, on the other hand,
have friends in Italy.

I received a letter. Read it.

"If you ever get this letter, it will be
in spite of the prison censors."

You must never make the gesture
as quick as this.

Why did you stop? Go on.

"They come suddenly in the night
and kick the door of my cell

so as not to let me sleep."

- Why do...?
- Continue.

Why do you make me read this letter?

I'll tell you in a bit.

"Then, there are
the false executions.

They sent me the priest
three times already

and I refused extreme unction.

They gave me castor oil again,
but they should realize

that after almost 20 years,

I'm used to it. It has no effect."

Why must I read this letter?

You want me to tell you?

Because you're a Fascist! A spy!

Do you know how they call
people like you here? Snitches.

Does your husband know?

Why do you think you were received?

You're only a worm.

You revolt me! You're disgusting!

I'm getting Giulia at the hotel.

We'll be on the first train home.

You'd never do it.
You're too much of a coward.

Marcello! Hold me.

Marcello, I'm frightened.

Marcello, please don't hurt us.

Swear it! Swear it, please.

I don't know.

Giulia, look at this.

Anna! Come here!

It's a surprise!

Look at that color. It's a dream!

Come and look at this one. Here.

Anna! It's divine!

Look how beautiful it is! Just look!

Giulia, come on.

It's very big, all in wood,
with enormous beds.

The house belonged
to my grandfather.

Luca and I used to go there often.

Roby, here!

But now with what's going on in Spain,
we don't leave Paris any longer.

All right, Roby! That's enough!

The Savoie is beautiful.
I can't wait to get back.

Sir! Sir!

Come on, I know you're back there.

Why don't you want to see me?

I've been running after you all day.

And it's freezing here, damn it.

You ought to come out
and have a chat now.

What is it you're worrying about?

We'll talk about it.

I have my job responsibilities,
you know.

The time's passing.

What else are we waiting for?
You must have a plan by now.

You haven't stood still for an instant.

May I say you ought to be
following him, not his wife.

There's no point in screaming
like that at the birds, you know.

They don't understand Italian. Damn!

He thinks there are
Italian birds in Paris.

God damn it. Sir!

I do understand you.

But the operation must be
quick and decisive.

Girls don't love us anymore

because we wear black shirt...

Third floor.

You don't mind
if we stay like this a bit?

No.

How silly you are.

After all, remember what
you yourself said a while ago,

"If I weren't married," you said.

Yes, I might have said that.
But I am married.

It doesn't mean a thing.

You have to understand
married to whom.

But I like him.

Hey, what...

Let's try on my new frock.

No. Don't move.
I want to dress you.

How strange you are.
You want to be my maid now?

What difference does it make?
It's my pleasure.

Please, don't look at me.
I'm embarrassed.

There's nothing wrong with it.
I'm a woman just as you are.

Yes, but you look at me in a way...

Turn around.

How beautiful!

How much I love Paris!

When Marcello sees it!

Violets? Violets, monsieur?

Do you want violets?

These are real Parma violets.

- They're really from Parma?
- Absolutely.

Let me have one.

Thank you.

"Arise, ye prisoners of starvation!"

Arise, ye prisoners of starvation

Arise, ye wretched of the Earth

For justice thunders condemnation

A better world's in birth

No more tradition's chains
shall bind us

Arise ye slaves,
no more in thrall

The earth shall rise
on new foundations

We have been naught,
we shall be all

'Tis the final conflict

Let each stand in his place

The Internationale

Shall be the human race

'Tis the final conflict

Let each stand in his place

The Internationale

Shall be the human race

Get in.

- Come.
- What's the matter?

- Do you like real Parma violets?
- They're not for me.

I want you to have them.

You couldn't have known
I'd be at the hotel.

They're for Giulia.

It's for you I bought them.

Anna!

Giulia will be beautiful tonight.

Half past eight at the hotel.

You know, I'm sad.

Since we've arrived in Paris,
we haven't made love yet.

Your knees are sharp.

Marcello...

Here's news for you.

The Quadris have a house
in the Savoie.

The Professor leaves
tomorrow morning by car

while Anna stays here.

Only for a day or so, then she's
planning to join her husband

and wants us to visit with them
in the mountains.

I have the address.

Nice, don't you think so?

She told me they have
enormous beds in their villa

which make awful noise!

And she says there are big,
big forests in the neighborhood

where no one ever passes.

Anna says...

Anna told me you can even
make love in the snow.

Can you imagine the Professor
wandering around in the woods naked?

You had me convinced
you were the typical new Italian.

No such type exists yet,
but we're creating him.

- Through repression?
- No, through example.

Giving him castor oil?
Throwing him into prison?

By torturing them? Blackmailing?

Anna. Please, calm down.

Clerici is a Fascist,
I'm an Anti-Fascist.

We both knew about it.

And we decided to have supper
together all the same.

- And get the wives drunk.
- The old professor and his ex-pupil...

- Giulia, what's the matter? - ...find each
other again in a Chinese restaurant...

- And yet I'm willing to bet...
- God, I've drunk so much!

- ...you may change your mind yet.
- Impossible, Professor.

My husband is naive about these things.
It's his way of being vain.

I can't forget that Clerici was
one of my best students ever.

Really? Tell me.
What was Marcello like as a student?

- Serious. Too serious.
- Why, you don't have to be serious?

Really serious people
are never serious.

Bravo. Giulia, did you ever see
your husband laugh?

No. Well... only a few times.
That's his nature.

- Nothing the matter with that.
- That's not my nature at all.

I've an idea, Clerici.
You should both remain here.

You will understand a great deal
about many things living here.

For you,
it's an important opportunity.

What do you know, Professor?

He's right.

He's only in Paris
to enjoy with his wife.

By the way,
did Giulia mention my idea to you?

- We have a lovely guest room...
- With an enormous bed!

And from the Savoie
you can go back to Italy.

Thank you, but I promised Giulia
to show her Paris.

I'm half-drunk already!

That's splendid.
My husband will leave tomorrow.

And after you see some more
of Paris, we'll join him.

Marcello, tell the truth.
Would you like us to go?

But of course I would.
They're really so kind.

- Well, all right.
- Perhaps Giulia doesn't want to go.

No, no!

If you don't like me,
you can just say so.

Don't embarrass our friends.

- We'll definitely come.
Right, Giulia? - Yes.

Let me sit there.

God, it's going around,
the whole place.

It's like that restaurant
we had on the train...

...with that funny man.

I'm sorry...

Marcello, will you give me
a proof of your friendship?

There's something to be sent.
A letter.

To Rome. To a comrade.
Only you can help me.

It has to be delivered personally.
There's no hurry.

When you get back to Italy
from the Savoie.

This might mean prison.

Anyone of my men
would risk much more.

Professor, one would say
you're doing this purposely,

just to get me into trouble there.

All things considered, Clerici,

- some time in a Fascist jail
may be better. - Excuse me.

What is it?

What's wrong with you?

Sir! Watch out!

I'm here to protect you
and you want to kill me?

I don't want to kill anyone. Here.
I don't want to carry it anymore.

What is this all about?

- You giving up?
- No, it's so clumsy.

I don't even know how to use it.
It's so heavy.

Sir... comrade!

I want you to look straight at me.

We're in a war, right?
You give up, you're a deserter.

Everybody's thought
of deserting at least once.

- I wouldn't think of that.
- Even I did. Really.

But I said to myself, "Manganiello,
why, what are you thinking of?"

It isn't your patriotism,

it isn't your honor
you are betraying.

It is really you.

After a while,

I managed a hearty pat on my back,
smoked another cigar,

and what did I think? "Let's go.

Courage now,

Comrade Manganiello."

Fight or be beaten.

It's freezing...

Hurry. We're going to dance.

You'll make me fall!

Come on.

Thanks.

If you were what you say,

you would have agreed
to carry that letter

and you would have used it
against our friends in Rome.

Well, take a look.
There's nothing written.

A little trick
to put you to the test.

They must stop dancing.

But why?

They're both so pretty.

Well, what's there to stare at?

This is Paris, and I'm
a fashionable woman, aren't I?

You're crazy, completely.

Come on! Let's dance!

Everybody, come on!

- He leaves tomorrow by car at dawn.
- Wait!

- What about his wife?
- She doesn't go.

Better without her.

We'll meet in Rome.

Enjoy the rest of the party!

Who knows what
you think of me, Professor?

I'm... really drunk!

It's good for anybody
to get drunk once in a while.

You won't believe this.

You upset me, I swear, like
you're giving me an exam.

If you're prepared,
you don't need to be worried.

Listen. I'll be going tomorrow
with my husband.

You must remain.

Please remain in town. Do it for me.

Didn't you decide to go
with Giulia and me?

Haven't you observed
she can't stand me, your wife?

Pardon!

But Giulia's so stupid.
Can't you see she's drunk?

We've all lost our heads
a little tonight.

Besides, you're mistaken
to say she can't bear you.

She mentioned that she admires you.

- What else did she say?
- That she finds you seductive.

I changed my mind.

I'll stay with you in Paris. Glad?

Anna! The Professor
is propositioning me!

Help!

I feel so happy that in a minute
I know I'm going to feel terrible!

Ciao!

Damn. I'm getting sleepy.

I won't let go my rifle,
cried the wounded soldier...

- Manganiello.
- Yes, sir.

- I've just had a strange dream.
- You did?

I was blind.

And you were taking me
to a hospital in Switzerland

to have an operation.

Switzerland. It's beautiful.

And Professor Quadri did the operation.

The operation was a success,
I recovered my sight

and I was leaving with the
Professor's wife. And she loved me.

Switzerland.

I remember in Milan

when I was a child,
we used to sing a song.

Wait a minute...

Switzerland, Switzerland
and its cantons!

In Africa, after all that work
and four men dead,

we discovered
it was no longer necessary.

And my superior,
"You have ruined me!

You're only beasts, you are!"

"Now wait a second," I said.
"We are men, not beasts."

That woman should have
returned to her bed.

Fucking hell!

Oh, God...

- Love can certainly...
- What are you trying to say?

No. Nothing, sir.

No. I was saying that sometimes
love can even perform miracles.

There!

It's them, isn't it?

Keep about 60 feet back.

There's a car behind us.

- So?
- Following us.

Nothing the matter with that.
Why are you so nervous?

- What...
- Watch out!

Must be something the matter.

Don't get out, please, I beg you!

- Well, why not?
- I don't know, but I'm frightened.

We can't just sit here like this.

Don't worry.

Wait here.

Luca...

I thought you were ill.

What is it?
What do you want from me?

Look out, I'm shooting.

How disgusting. I've always said so.

Make me work in the shit,
sure, but not with a coward.

If it's up to me, cowards,
homosexuals and Jews,

they're all the same thing.

If it were up to me,
I'd stand them all against the wall.

Better yet,
eliminate them when they're born.

Attention.

Attention.

- His Majesty King Vittorio Emanuele
- Papa...

has accepted the resignation
of His Excellency Benito Mussolini

as head of the government,
Prime Minister and Secretary of State.

- His Majesty has named as head
of the government, - Goodnight.

Prime Minister and Secretary of State,

His Excellency Marshal Pietro Badoglio.

How elegant you are
with your mama's hat on!

Attention.

You even put on the foxes
Mama brought from Paris.

Good for Marta!

King Vittorio Emanuele has
accepted the resignation

of His Excellency Benito Mussolini

as head of the government,
Prime minister and Secretary of State,

and His Majesty has named as
head of the government,

Prime minister and Secretary of State,

His Excellency Marshal Pietro Badoglio.

Up you go!

Up, up, up!

A red apple.

Up again!

Ready? Hail Mary, full of grace...

"Hail Mary, full of grace..."

- the Lord is with Thee.
- "The Lord is with Thee."

- Blessed art Thou amongst women...
- "Blessed art Thou amongst women..."

...and blessed is the fruit
of Thy womb, Jesus.

"...the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus."

Holy Mary, Mother of God...

"Holy Mary, Mother of God..."

...pray for us sinners...

"...pray for US Sinners...

- ...now and at the hour of our death.
- "...now and at the hour..."

- Italo called.
- "...of our death."

- Amen.
- "Amen."

- Now, lie down and sleep.
- No!

- Italo?
- Yes. Italo.

- What did he want?
- He'll expect you at the usual place.

Italo. After all this time.

How awful they all are,
these beggars!

Getting drunk because
the King threw out Mussolini,

when yesterday
they were all for him.

I can't wait till
we get them out of here.

Why see Italo?
What's the use of it?

If he called it means he needs me,
and I'm going.

I was always the one
who took him around.

I took him everywhere.

He used to say that
when I described things to him

it was like seeing them
with his own eyes.

Go to sleep.

Marcello, you've got to take care.

Why?

What do you mean?

Nothing.

Wait, listen.
What are you going to do now?

The same as everyone else
who thought like me.

When there are so many of us,
there's no risk.

I know, but I want to say
the business with Quadri...

I don't know
what you're talking about.

In Paris, Anna,

maybe in order
to get me away from you,

told me you worked
for the secret police.

- And you? What did you answer?
- That it wasn't important.

That I was your wife
and I loved you.

And if you worked for them,
it was a good thing.

But then, when
the Quadris were killed,

how scared I became.

And what do you think of it now?

Well, I think that, after all,

it was an important step
in your career.

That's right.

Marcello, don't go out!

They could hurt you.

I won't be in danger.

After all, what have I done?
My duty.

But why do you want to go?

I want to see how
a dictatorship falls.

Marcello...

- The candles! Where did you put them?
- How should I know?

Mama! Where are you? I'm afraid.

I'm here, darling. I'm coming.

Marcello?

Marcello?

There's something
that's still stuck to you.

- Where?
- Here.

Oh, yes.

Hey, you jerks!

Go home!

What about eating?

As long as there are cats around,
I manage.

They say cat meat tastes like rabbit.

Too bad we didn't meet yesterday.

I had a pastry cream 'baba' at home.

- With real cream?
- Yes, why not?

- You need eggs for that.
- I have a friend living in the country.

He sends me bread, too.

Fresh eggs? Bread?

He keeps me supplied.
I never lack for anything in my house.

Butter, fresh cheese,
and chickens sometimes.

- And potatoes? Maybe roast potatoes?
- Potatoes, too.

If you come home with me,
we'll make an omelet.

- What kind?
- A jelly omelet.

You must be tired
of eating cats all the time.

Yes. I ate too many of them.
And they're not so easy to find.

- What did you do?
- I have mice left.

There are more rats
with the cats gone.

Yes, but they're all skin and bones.

Listen. I don't live far from here.

Why don't you come
and have dinner with me?

- Is there a place to sleep?
- You can stay.

Nice shoes you have. Soft.

They were a present.

I got a present, too. A Siamese cat.

- Was he good?
- Too tough.

I have a pair of suede shoes.
You can have them.

And I have a nice oriental kimono.
Like Madame Butterfly's.

You know who Madame Butterfly is?

Lino!

- Is your name Lino? You!
- Me? Yes.Why?

You were a chauffeur, right?

- But along time ago.
- Yes.

- You had a pistol.
- I? I don't understand you.

And you're alive still.

But I don't know you.
What do you want of me?

What's that scar?

- There was an accident.
- What accident?

I don't know who you are!
Take your hands off me!

Where were you?

- What were you doing
on March 25,1917? - Me?

Who are you?
You must be crazy.

What were you doing
on March 25,1917?

Let me alone!

And the 15th of October, 1938?

Where were you?
What were you doing?

What were you doing at 4:00 p.m.
on October 15, 1938?

- Let me go!
- Where were you?

- What were you doing? I've got to know.
- Let me go!

Murderer! Murderer!

He killed a man, a political exile,

on October 15th, 1938!

Yes, Professor Quadri!

Luca Quadri!

And his wife Anna Quadri.

He's a homosexual, a Fascist!

- And his name is Pasqualino!
- Marcello...

Semirama!

Pasqualino Semirama!

Marcello, don't do that.

Marcello, where are you?

- Fascist!
- No, Marcello!

- He too is a Fascist. Right here.
- What are you doing?

- What are you doing this for?
- This one's a Fascist.

No, Marcello, please.

Marcello, no!
Why are you doing this?

Italo Montanari! Fascist!

Are you crazy?

Marcello, where are you?
Please, come back here.

Come here...

Marcello... Marcello!

Marcello! Marcello!

THE END