A rightist plot to stage a coup d'etat against the Italian government is foiled by a Captain in the Carabinieri. Led by industrialists, high ranking government and military officials, some of whom hold noble titles, the plotters control vital sectors of the state that they seemed unstoppable but for the dogged determination of a middle ranking police officer (Franco Nero) and a detective (Martin Balsam).
The plot and the events surrounding it are too complicated to be condensed in an average length movie and so it was a bit confusing. Nevertheless, it manages to convey the plausibility of a right wing coup against the Italian government. After all, many communists and socialists were seated in parliament during this period and they controlled the countryside municipalities through their mayors. Of course, the captains of industries, the nobility, their allies in the military elite and government bureaucracy, did not like that. My appreciation of the movie heightened when serendipitously, I chanced upon a copy of the Morris L. West novel of the same title.
It is interesting to note that Italians still use noble titles like "principe" and "principessa." But these are not necessarily, the offspring of kings but may be compared to the English earls. Remember that for much of the medieval period, Italy was divided into city states some of which were nominally under the Holy Roman Emperor who did not brook the presence of kings except for his own relatives like the King of Sicily. There is also the unique Italian noble title of "Falconeri," who must have been the falconer of a Grand Duke. Perhaps we can compare him to a Hapsburg baron.
Italians are great designers of uniforms (among other things such as cars) and it shows in this movie. The Captain dons at least two different uniforms in various scenes and his formal or gala dress was interestingly cool. That golden flame insignia on his officer's cap caught my eye.
The plot and the events surrounding it are too complicated to be condensed in an average length movie and so it was a bit confusing. Nevertheless, it manages to convey the plausibility of a right wing coup against the Italian government. After all, many communists and socialists were seated in parliament during this period and they controlled the countryside municipalities through their mayors. Of course, the captains of industries, the nobility, their allies in the military elite and government bureaucracy, did not like that. My appreciation of the movie heightened when serendipitously, I chanced upon a copy of the Morris L. West novel of the same title.
It is interesting to note that Italians still use noble titles like "principe" and "principessa." But these are not necessarily, the offspring of kings but may be compared to the English earls. Remember that for much of the medieval period, Italy was divided into city states some of which were nominally under the Holy Roman Emperor who did not brook the presence of kings except for his own relatives like the King of Sicily. There is also the unique Italian noble title of "Falconeri," who must have been the falconer of a Grand Duke. Perhaps we can compare him to a Hapsburg baron.
Italians are great designers of uniforms (among other things such as cars) and it shows in this movie. The Captain dons at least two different uniforms in various scenes and his formal or gala dress was interestingly cool. That golden flame insignia on his officer's cap caught my eye.