Original subtitles

Salvatore, uncle Pasquale has sent for the lawyer.

Peppino, kiss father's hand.

Oh, the poor! You made him kiss the cuffs!

Show mommy, what happened?

...the Civil and Penal Tribunal of Naples.

Today, the 10th Of September 1902.

- 80 centesimi. - Peppino, there's only 70! - No, 80, sir.

- There's also the brioche. - I'll take care of it. - Right, you pay,

and then we'll settle the account with the bill.

- When? - Tomorrow, at the Santa Maria Assizes.

- Civil action? - Yes. - The father and the mother were there?

Yes, and they were inciting the girl to a brutal crime.

- Witnessing in Court is a serious thing... - Can I?

- Easy! Are you in a hurry? - Am I to wait for you?

- We must make way for the Princess! - Don't shout, or I'll throw down your hat.

Did you hear what she said? I can't be offended by a plebeian!

- Move yourself! Giuseppina! - The nerve!

- Mother, don't make a scene! - Throw down your sister's hat,

- the one walking the streets! - What's the matter?

There are so many in Naples... I'm sorry.

- She's Tina Bouquet! I've heard you sing in Rome. - At the Salone Margherita?

Yes. I'm a colleague of your daughter's, Epaminonda Pesce.

- Pesce! You've sung at Eden? - Yes.

I've heard you sing often! I've laughed so much!

- Thank you. - You're very good.

Yes, thank you. Mother?

- I live on coffee! Thank you. - Please, sit down.

- Two coffees and a vermuth. A cookie, a rustico? - No, thank you.

- I'll have a cookie. - Good. - I'll take two, one for me, and one for her.

- Mother! - How come you're here?

- I've been... how d'you say... called? - Summoned.

Yes, I've been salmoned and I took my daughter along.

- What is it all about? - A scar.

Assunta Spina, the one that owns the ironing shop.

There're lots of girls and above there is a house with a balcony full of flowers.

I long to kiss you..., I long to kiss you...

But I don't have the heart to wake you.

This time Donna Assunta really did it!

She didn't have anything and Don Michele bought her everything.

Shoes, clothes, petticoats, the cupboard, everything.

Even the shop was bought by Don Michele with his money.

- If only I'd have a man who'd take care of me! - Without marrying you?

lt'd be enough to take me out as Don Michele does with Donna Assunta.

Entertainment every day, Posillipo, Secondigliano,

and then trips to the country, ice-creams, puffs!

Donna Assunta gave me this chocolate.

- And who bought it for her? - It's good!

He cut her because he was jealous and this means he loves her!

My lover is not jealous, he's got no money, but he trusts me.

There's no food without money, and no love without jealousy.

- Would you like being cut? - I don't know, maybe I would.

You're crazy!

Michele! My Michele, how will it end!

- Calm down, Donna Concetta, all will be fine. - You're right.

- Who's Don Michele? - The owner of the butcher's shop.

I'm the shop boy and that's his mother, Donna Concetta.

- What did he do? - He cut his lover, Assunta Spina.

She's a hot head, once in a while she gets restless,

and once in a while a man will get into trouble because of her.

Don Michele took the razorblade and tsa!

- Was it worth it? - She's a very beautiful woman.

But you can't figure her out. Is she in love? Isn't she?

She lights up, she turns off, today you have her, tomorrow she's gone.

Don Michele lost his head over her.

The mother did everything to make him change his mind, but it was all for naught.

- Today's the lawsuit? - At the Fifth Section.

- So, councillor? - All's well, all's well.

Cangemi Ferdinando!

Usaglio Arturo!

- Usacca Carmela! - Here! - I've already called for you once.

- Has master Buffa arrived? - Yes, and he went away. - Coming back? - Don't know.

- He's a nuisance! - Are you nervous?

I'm here, but my mind's at home. My wife's been due for seven days.

- And why are you afraid? - She can give birth any time!

- What's the count? - It's the eighth, and another female.

- We already have seven! - Males or female, they still are children!

Yes, but it's a tragedy. I have to buy seven pairs of shoes,

seven handbags, seven puffs!

And then, the husbands! Where am I to find seven husbands?

The reason's obvious.

Jealoousy, Your Honour.

Assunta and me love each other. I cut her.

Assunta is mine, and I can do anything I want with her.

- Go to your place. - Thank you.

Let's start with the witnesses. So.

Forcinelli Emilia.

Forcinelli Emilia!

Forcinelli Emilia!

Forcinelli Emilia! Is she dead, or what?

I'm alive! let's hope you're no jinxer!

The witnesses must wait outside the court room.

- I'm here. - Come in. - Let's go. Come, Tina.

I was here. Here I am.

- Silence! Are you Forcinelli Emilia? - Yes, sir.

- Come forward. - Tina, don't go away.

- This way? - Come forward.

- Forcinelli Emilia? - At your orders.

- Parents? - Saverio and Gelsomina Porretti, deceased.

- Occupation? - Obstetrician.

- Midwife. - It's the same thing.

- Age? - 57.

Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth,

- and nothing but the truth? - I do.

Even if I hadn't sworn, it'd have been all the same.

It's because I've been always telling the truth, that I've made so many enemies.

The oath is not a proof of mistrust, it's a rule, a rite.

What d'you know about what happened?

I've known Don Michele all the way since I was helping his late father, Don Teodoro.

He was a handsome man... You also are, but Don Teodoro!

I'm flattered, but let's go back to the facts.

Don Michele is a good man, an honest man.

If he says there's 600 grams of meat, there really are 600 grams!

He's not like those that sell you donkey for veal!

- Be short. - Am I to speak about his love for Assunta? Everyone knows it.

He's mad about her. He really loves her.

And then, at a certain age, a man loses his head.

Still, Donna Assunta is also very beautiful.

I don't want to speak ill of no one, what do I care?

But a mother should educate better her own daughters!

Assunta's mother didn't. I've only got one daughter...

- Madame! - I have to say it, it gives me great satisfaction.

The one that'll marry her, will be really fortunate.

Even if he'd be a great singer, Your Honour.

She's got such a voice! Tina, let us hear you!

Unfortunately, men prefere dubious women!

I'm not saying ill of no one, I've already said that one is very beautiful,

but she had a bad education. And then, she's mad.

You here! I kiss your hand. Your servant.

- What're you doing here? - I've come for Michelangelo.

- Again inside? - Since three months!

The Lord will get him out.

But if it was he stayed inside, it'd be better, it'd make him reconsider.

What're you talkin' about? His mother's home can save him, not the prison!

- And then, he's innocent. - That's for the judge to decide.

He's innocent like a mountain spring.

Say a special prayer for my Michelangelo,

and I'll give you two hens that make fresh eggs.

If you want the prayer, you must give me three hens and a cock.

Let's say two hens and a cock.

- Alright, but no guarantees. - Alright.

If I may, where's the Fifth Section?

- I don't know, go up and ask someone. - Thank you.

Then we agree. But three hens'd have been better!

Spina Assunta! Assunta Spina!

- It's me. - Go in.

- Sir. - Peppino. - Move on.

Silence!

Come forward. What's your name?

- Don't go up, Don Michele doesn't want you to! - But he's my son!

- Donna Concetta, don't be a child! - Don't make no scenes!

- I want to go to my son! - Don't let her go up.

- If she sees Donna Assunta, sometihng bad will happen. - True!

Don't be stubborn, he was your lover, he has confessed it right now.

Everyone says he was jealous. Was he, yes or no?

- Yes, but this doesn't count. - Then, he was jealous.

And he suspected you of something. Is it true, or not?

- It's true. - We're through with the witnesses. You can go.

- Have you seen Assunta Spina? - Who's she?

You never know anything here!

- My daughter and Pesce, where're they? - Who? - My daughter and Pesce.

What d'you want from me? You've got one daughter, I've got seven!

When I go back home, I don't even count them anymore!

- At last! Leave right away. Is there another staircase? - Sure.

- Why? - You mustn't meet with Donna Concetta.

What do I care? I want to stay here, I want to know what he gets.

- Avoid her, take the other staircase. - No!

- Donna Emilia 's right. - Federico, you tell her.

I can accompany you to another staircase.

- Cut it out! - Well done! You've won even here!

- I always do what I want. - You always do what you want.

- It's good that you know it. - I know it at my expense!

- Donna Concetta! - Know that I came here to accomplish a good deed.

You, a good deed?! You've ruined my son, trollope!

- Aren't you going to step in? - Me? - Something bad will happen.

If it does, the carabinieri will come.

- Listen... - Donna Assunta, now's not the time. - Let go of me!

You're right, I'm to blame for what happened.

- But look. - No. - You must look! It's your son that did this to me.

He cut me and I've said, in here, that it wasn't him!

All the best to you!

The cut is only love, pushed to it's limit.

The bloody message of a desperate desire.

You know the milieu in which the crime took place.

You know the kind of people that live around here, the superstions, the errors.

It's paramount for the understanding of our people's behaviour.

I'm refering to the climatical and geological conditions in this city.

Here, the sirocco blows with all his exhasuting fury.

It's a volcanic land, splendid and hostile,

made of sun and African wind, at the extreme boundaries of the West.

I can iron collars.

Try me. I've grown up and still do errands.

Donna Assunta, aren't you going to answer me?

I'm sorry, I was thinking at Don Michele.

Let's hope they'll let him out soon.

- Is it over, Donna Assunta? - No, it isn't over yet.

- Mother? - She's there.

- Donna Emilia. - So, councillor?

- I'm not a councillor. - Then you don't know anything.

- The verdict will be out soon. Can I talk to you? - Yes.

Have you heard? The verdict's coming soon.

She was flirting with the youngman from the dairy,

and one evening Don Michele cut her.

- Are you interested in Assunta Spina? - Simple curiosity.

You don't fool me, I'm an experienced woman.

- Well, I like her. - But you're married, with two children!

You shouldn't say that, I don't want it to be known.

Don Federico, let it go, she's not for you.

Federico Funelli can't get together with a...

I'm not saying anything against Assunta, I like her.

Everyone does, even if she's capricious.

- But there are things that won't do. - Llike?

You with the daughter of the cook from the pub?

- It all comes down to taste. - And that delinquent of Michele? If they acquit him?

No way, he has a police record.

- He'll be in for a couple of years. - Really?

Here's the verdict.

- So? - Two years. Let's see what we can do about it.

Two years!

- My Michele! - Mother, two years. - Your mother'll take care of it!

Let's hope so. Please, don't forget me, and send me some linen.

Assunta Spina, you're a trollope!

Courage, two years are over in no time.

I won't see him for two years.

- Who said so? - What? - That you won't see him for two years.

If he stays in Naples, you'll be able to see him at least twice a month.

- Can they send him away fom Naples? - Very probable.

- Where? - I don't know, to Capua, to Salerno, to Avellino.

That is if someone having the right connections, or a job

that enables him to do some favours doesn't step in.

- Then, he could stay in Naples. - In Naples? - Everything's possible.

- Goodbye, Funelli. - My respects, judge.

- But who are you? - One of your admirers.

- What? - I'm a friend of Donna Emilia's, the midwife.

- D'you want me to keep him in Naples? - Can you do that?

- D'you want it? - How much d'you want? - Nothing.

That can't be, you need money for such a thing.

I can sell my jewels, or make a loan, if need be.

- How much d'you need? - Nothing.

No money's needed.

Ah! No, thank you, let's hope they'll keep him in Naples all the same.

- Let's go. - As you wish.

- Where's Donna Concetta? - She wants to see them take away her son.

- She should avoid such commotion! - True.

- Hello. And Don Michele? - Are you here to spy?

- Did Donna Assunta send you? - No.

- They'll soon take Michele to Avellino. - Why Avellino?

That's were places are available, the three prisons in Naples are full.

- You talk like if it was a hotel! - Better, it's free, and they feed you.

Spy! I knew you had come to spy!

My son! They've condamned him! My son!

Michelangelo! My Michelangelo!

- He's off to Avellino. - Who told you?

My son, I love you!

Go home and wait for me.

- Me? - Yes, you.

You said you could arrange for him to stay in Naples.

- Your friend? - Yes. I want him to stay in Naples. - Alright.

- Can you do it? - Anything, for you.

- Did you find out where they're taking him? - To Avellino.

Avellino... Then, there's time.

We can come to an agreement. Let's go somewhere quiet.

- My home will do? - If it's convenient for you.

Yes, right away. Let's go.

- What're you doing tonight? - I don't know, I should meet with a friend.

- Aren't you coming at my place? - I'll accompany you. - And then you'll leave?

- How old is this horse? - Three years, Your Excellency.

This friend is waiting for you every night!

The usual suspicions! Haven't you yet understood I'm not rich?

There's business to attend to, people to meet.

- It wasn't like this in the beginning. - The beginning is the beginning!

- And the end is the end. - It's 2,500.

- How much? - 2,500.

- Give me the collars. - I don't know where they are. - But they were here!

Everything's upside down here, you're chatting instead of working.

- The chief has spoken! - I represent Donna Assunta when she's not here.

- She never said that. - Who's seen her! Love!

- You're bad! - The defense lawyer has spoken!

- Isn't the story with Funelli true? - It's only friendship.

- Funelli took care of Don Michele... - And then even of Donna Assunta.

- What d'you care? - We're losing clients every day.

If it goes on like this, we'll have to close shop and we'll starve.

And then, nothing's known about him, not even if he has a family.

- He never looks at you, and if he does, he has a vicious look. - Yes!

And Donna Assunta looks at him in rapture!

- It's not true! - You don't know anything, ignorant!

- As soon as Donna Assunta comes, I'll tell her everything. - Just try it!

- Want to end up in hospital? - I'm not afraid of you!

Hey! Donna Assunta's coming, cut it out

What's the matter?

- No one's got the guts to talk? - That one...

- Donna Michelina hit her. - We argued.

- What was she saying? - She's a lier. - They're saying you...

Enough, get back in to work!

The party's over, you can go away.

- It was your fault. - She provoked me.

- Go, and tell your boss I'll pay him later. This is for you. - Thank you.

Goodbye, miss.

- You're here! Linen? - Yes, for ironing. - Alright.

Always beautiful, madame Assunta!

- You don't come in? - I can't, I have to go away.

Why? A glass of cold wine will do you good.

- Come in. - Alright, but only for a moment.

- Go home. What you're doing it's not nice. - But I...

- Enough, we'll talk about it tomorrow. - Good night. - Good night.

Good night, Don Federico.

- You don't take your coat of? - No.

Wait for me, I'll be right back.

- Damn it! - What happened, Federico?

- Are you hurt? - No, I'm alright! - Come here.

Put your finger here.

- Put it here. - No, it's useless. - Put the finger in here, it'll do you good.

- Does it still hurt? - Of course, what could a little cold water do?

- No, this is water with starch. - Yes!

Let me see.

My poor love!

Excuse me. But you women are always inopportune.

I'm going out to buy cigarettes, I've run out.

- You won't be back? - I told you I had to go away.

- Don't you stay to have dinner with me? - Everyone's seen me get in here!

No, it's evening, there's nobody on this street.

And then, nobody can see if you went out again.

You weren't so scared one year ago.

You didn't care if they saw us.

- I'm worried for you. - For me?

I don't want Michele's mother to tell it to her son.

You always misunderstand!

We'll never get along!

"We'll never get along."

"We'll never get along."

- A double rum. - Good evening, Don Federico. - Good evening.

- D'you want to play? - No, thank you.

Don't tell me you've lost the passion! A player like you!

- A little courage. - Nobody raises it?

You've found you're client. 2 lire on the four.

A jack. I'm sorry, Don Federico, you've lost.

- Place your bets. - Four lire on the four. - Here it is.

The four is out! I'm sorry.

- "Lucky in love!" - Women bring bad luck.

True. 10 lire on the seven.

- Interesting! - Don't raise it, it's easy losing 30 lire.

Don't you worry. Watch... here it is...

- Easy, easy. - Look, Don Federico.

- Seven. - Tonight's is not the night. Good night to everybody.

- Good night. - We'll see each other tomorrow evening.

No, I don't think so.

Nicolino, I'll give you an advice, some bonds are better broken right away,

- or they'll become very heavy. - It's an useless advice.

I've told Eleonora the other night: "I can't make it tomorrow",

- you can't imagine what happened. - Women are bad news!

- You're late. - The tobacconist's was closed.

I had to go all the way to Spirito Santo to find one that was open.

- I thought you won't be coming anymore. - I told you I'd be coming back.

So much talk for being a couple of minutes late!

Will you be staying for dinner?

Sooner or later this story will have to end.

In a few months Michele will get out of prison.

In January. In five months from now.

- And then? - I'm not afraid of Michele, I'm doing it for you.

- Are you worried for me? - I've already told you, I'm not afraid.

- Are you sure it's not because of him? - Then because of what?

- You've grown tired. - Again!

lt'd have been better you hadn't come back, that's all you can say!

And this is supposeed to be love?

I come here like a thief, and you go to Michele, in jail,

and every evening you go to Saint Francis ' wall to tell him what's new.

Anyone in my place would have got tired.

Federico! My Federico!

- What time is it? - It's late now, she'll come tomorrow.

Silence, it's late!

There, in the second drawer.

- The tin box. - This one? - Yes.

- Are you sure you don't need it? - Yes.

I'll give you back half of it at the end of the month,

- but, for the rest, you'll have to wait. - There's no rush.

I'm sorry, I have to go, it's late.

- Have you been there this evening? - No.

It's the fourth evening that I didn't go.

- Why don't you marry me? - What did you say?

I said, why don't you marry me?

Are you afraid that when Michele gets out, he'll hurt me?

If you marry me, he won't be able to do anything.

- You already are married. - Who told you this nonsense?

I found it found two months after meeting you.

Then, if you know it, why do you ask me?

Lies. Always lies!

Since I've met you, you've never told me one single true thing!

You've never loved me.

You liked me and you blackmailed me.

You blackmailed me and now you're tired of me.

Then just say it to me and go away, go back to that whore of!

Federico! Don't leave me alone!

- I bet on the jack. - It's late, I have to close.

- It's the last hand, and then we'll stop. Thank you. - For nothing.

- Look who's here! Don Federico. - Good evening.

- You won't believe it, but I was waiting for you. - Good evening.

Michele, aren't you asleep?

- No, I'm waiting. - It's late, she won't come. - Maybe she will.

- How long since she hasn't come? - This is the forth evening. She must be sick.

She has always come, she must be sick.

How hot it is! And it's September.

Tomorrow's Saint Januarius, maybe they'll give us a little meat.

- How's she? - Who? - Assunta Spina. - Beautiful.

- How is her hair? - Black. - Her eyes? - Black as her hair.

- And... - Enough, leave me alone!

- Good evening and cheers. - Good evening.

It really is good.

- Have we disturbed you? - Forget it!

- Assunta! - Coming down. - The horses are fretting.

The carriage is full of flowers.

This year, we'll win the flag at Montevergine.

Of course.

Let's go, Assunta.

- How beautiful she is! - Let's go, Tittariello.

Good people, this is the story of Maria Rosa.

Daughters of Antignano, good people.

This is the story of Maria Rosa.

Said she to the mother: Look in the mirror.

What are these two dark rings under the eyes?

How unfortunate of me, I'm an old woman!

April, april, o, mother.

Said she: Careful, my daughter.

The sun can harm in the summer.

And take care when Christmas comes, and the street is cold.

But, then, why don't say to this heart in spring:

Careful with love, That in April roams around?

Good people, this is the story of Maria Rosa.

Lemon leaf. Lemon leaf.

Hear this voice.

It's been three nights and days since I've been waiting for you.

Maybe you didn't come because you were sick!

Don't worry, now I'm here.

You mustn't worry, I kiss you and hello I say.

And wait that all this goes away.

Lemon leaf. Garden lemon.

There's a thorn, right into this heart.

Silence, you mustn't be awake at this hour.

- Don Federico, but... - Don't worry, bet.

Alright, if that's what you want, here it is.

- Damn! - I told you you were losing!

- The miracle is slow this year. - Let's hope.

- Have you seen who's here? - Who?

- It's Saint Januarius here. - What're you doing here? - Who're you?

- You can't be here. - Why?

- If you're here, Saint Januarius won't make the miracle. - He won't!

- How dare youi show yourself in church with that face? - Shamelss woman!

Trollope!

- What happened? - A woman has fainted. - The poor soul.

Are you feeling better? It's the mob's fault.

Naples wants to know if there'll be a miracle, if things will be alright.

But you know that, you're Neapolitan.

- Donna Assunta, this will do you good. - Do you know me?

I've been working at the police station for a month,

and I bring the linen at your shop twice a week.

- I don't remember you. - You've never seen me.

- Buut you have seen me? - Yes.

- Do you want to go back to the celebration? - No, thank you.

- Do you want to go back home? - Yes.

- It's from the bar on the corner. - I'll take it back.

- Shall we go? - Eh? - Can I accompany you?

Of course.

- Good day, Don Federico. - If the day is anything like the night!

- You'll make up for it tonight. - Where're you going? - To the Tribunal.

We'll go with you.

Naples is beautiful, big, I feel a little lost, but I'll get useed to it.

I've got good colleagues at the police station.

They laugh even when I'm silent. But there's no malice in it.

- Carnations! May I? - No, don't bother.

- Please, it'd be a pleasure for me. - Alright, I'll take one. Thank you.

- You were unlucky. - You win it, or lose it. - Just a second.

I always saw you.

Once, I walked a long way behind you, far away, just to see you.

It's true, you win it, or lose it.

You sometimes think you've lost, but, in fact, you've won.

- Would you like a glass of milk? - Don't bother.

There's no bother, wait.

- Please, what time is it? - Nine.

Do you now if Saint Januarius has accomplished the miracle?

- Long live Saint Januarius! - Long live!

The miracle. The miracle

- Go away. - But... - Go away!

With half a lira you can change your fortune.

Understand that fortune only comes once in a lifetime,

and if you can't seize it, you'll be left mouth opened.

Don't hesitate, morons!

Distroyers of your homes! Assassins of your sons!

10,000 lire for half a lira!

Buy the number of fortune.

10,000 lire for half a lira!

Bravo, you've got guts, fortune will smile to you.

You must have guts in life, like I do!

- Take me as an example. I... - I have taken you!

- Listen, cavaliere... - I'm no cavaliere.

- Sergeant... - I'm no sergeant.

- Then, who are you? - You know it.

He's mad! Don't squeeze, it hurts!

I didn't want to caress you. You don't know me, do you?

How many times must I tell you that illegal lottery isn't allowed?

If it'd be, it wouldn't be illegal.

- Silence! - No! What are you doing?

You're getting me into trouble! I've got four children!

What am I putting on their table tonight?

- Should have thought about it before. - Let him go, we know him.

They don't have mercy for anyone!

Saint Januarius!

Saint Januarius, have mercy! Let me see my son before I die!

Also save my Tina.

Donna Concetta, I've put 500 lire on the heart!

Before putting I showed it to him and told him:

"Fulfill your duty, or next year you'd better not come this way!"

Well done. The shop's doing well because I watch over it,

and Tittariello's worth his weight in gold!

Donna Emilia, sixteen months!

If I get ill? If I die?

- I won't see Michele anymore! - Damn...

Don't me curse, now that Saint Januarius just went by!

You have an iron health!

Sixteen months went by, two years will be quickly gone.

Listen, don't say madame Assunta doesn't even look at you.

Who told you, Marcusio? This is all nonsense.

I only feel friendship for Donna Assunta.

You wanna play smart with me, who am thirty years old?

- I'm telling you the truth. - You wanna play smart with me!

Open this window, O, beautiful fairy,

The air already is perfumed.

But your still sleeping... What on Earth!

Roses, what beautiful roses,

And May's here again.

Bravo! It's the Teatro dell'Opera!

I could kill you! You scared me!

Are the shirts I brought the other day ready?

Less one shirt and one collar, we'll give them to you in three days.

Three days? Are you kiddin' me, miss. Rachele?

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, the day after tomorrow's Christmas and then it's a holiday.

And then, it's time for mufflers, not collars.

Alright, I can't get mad on a girl as beautiful as you are.

In our country, guys like you, we call them farinelli.

- How? - Farinelli, lady killers, heartbreakers.

- Farinello? - Are you angry?

- Do you want to arrest me? - No, rest assured.

But I'd surely like to make your lover sleep on a bunk.

- Really? - How quick he is, Don Marcusio.

- Sicilians are quick. - What's your name?

Marcusio, at your orders.

Don Marcusio, he does what he has to do,

and has never slept on a bunk!

- Kiddin', kididn'. - Don Marcusio's always kiddin'.

Don't you see your comrade, Don Flaiano, how said he is?

What's there to laugh about?

- We weren't laughing of you. - He's in love.

- It's not true. - Don Flaiano, what's your name?

- Marcello. - Oh, Marcello!

If my lover's name'd be Marcello, I'd love him more.

- Don Marcello, are you also a sicilian? - No, he's from Abruzzo.

Hear the bagpipes! Are there bagpipes in your country at Christmas?

Do you think I'm coming from the savages?

I'm from Pescara, a port.

A green seashore with hundreds of colours.

Not a sea like yours, always blue.

We also have bagpipe players at Christmas,

and the bells ringing far away.

The bells from Pescara are answered by those in Castellamare, Sportone.

The halo of the moon makes the snow glitter on the Maiella

and in the church the candles spparkle on the altar.

Let's go, Don Marcusio, it's late.

- One moment, I have to take the linen. - Here it is.

- Good evening, and a Merry Christmas, madame Assunta. - Thank you.

- Ernestina, come with me. - Good evening, ladies.

Good evening, and a Merry Christmas.

Hold it.

Let's go.

- All the best wishes, ladies. - Good evening, and a Merry Christmas.

Close the door, quickly.

Listen, you must do me a favour.

Find Don Federico Funelli and give him this note.

- Did you understand me? - Yes.

- Do you like this? Take it. - Thank you.

I haven't seen Don Funelli in two or three months, I don't know where he is.

You'll find him at Caffe Sgambati, the one in front of the Tribunal.

- My father also goes there on Sundays. - Well, that's the one.

- Do you want an answer? - Sure, you bring it to me, quickly.

- Can I also take this? - Yes.

Hurry up!

- Where're you going, you haven't finished. - I'm on an errand for the boss.

She's gone nuts, since she hasn't seen him.

It's been two months she's been writing him, and sending people over.

No, wait, I'll tell you.

- From September, the day we fought. - We were right.

I talked like a brother, you do what you wish.

There's gossip in the Tribunal, you career's on the line.

- You've got wife and children. - You don't know what I do to free myself.

I've even applied for a transfer, what more could I have done?

It's a woman that doesn't let you breath.

- Don Federico, a note. - See?

An urgent note from Donna Assunta, she wants an answer right away.

- Gentlemen, a Merry Christams to you. - Merry Christmas.

- Am I to tell her anything? - Tell her to leave me alone.

I'm only left with my eyes to cry, Donna Assunta.

Remember how merry I was?

When they said Donna Emilia, the midwife, they were all laughing.

I wanted to give her an education, to learn her how to read and write.

I was expecting here to become a spavant.

What courage! How could she change from one moment to the next?

She was a good girl, Donna Assunta, and she loved me.

I loved her too!

Look, Donna Assunta.

A few days ago, she sent me this letter from Livorno.

"My dear mother, forgive me, I'm unhappier than you'd think."

Why did you run away then?

Why did you leave me? Why don't you come back?

Donna Assunta, when I don't find her next to me in the mornings...

I don't want to cook, to eat anymore ...I don't do anything, anymore.

I eat alone, like a student in a pub.

- Will she come back, Donna Assunta? - She will, she will.

Everything ends, men get tired quickly.

- And you, Donna Assunta? - You know it... everyone does.

I haven't seen him in three months.

One day, he happened to see me in the street, innocently, with someone.

He made a scene, and I haven't seen him since.

I've sent people to look for him one hundred times.

I can't make it anymore, Donna Emilia.

You love each other, don't you?

I don't know.

I don't know.

He's selfish, depraved... a liar.

I don't know why I'm looking for him.

I don't know what I want anymore, Donna Emilia.

You were right, I must be mad. You said it.

- I was joking about it. - No, it's true.

- And Don Michele? - Don Michele.

Michele's the only one who loved me.

The only one who truly loved me, in his way.

A scarry love, because he scared me.

- And... he doesn't know anything? - No. - And when he will?

He'll do what he'll want.

Donna Assunta, it's a Saint Elizabeth visit that I made you.

No, you did me a pleasure, I'm always alone.

Why didn't you tell me he was married?

He forbade it, and, then, who could have imagined...

Excuse me.

Did you find him?

Please, excuse me.

Go away!

Merry Christmas, Donna Assunta. Merry Christmas, Donna Emilia.

He doesn't want to come.

He doesn't want to come, doesn't want to see me anymore, says it's all over!

He doesn't want to come!

- You must go! - Me? He won't listen to me.

He will! Tell him I must speak to him, and I'll wait him here, tonight.

And that he must come!

You must tell him that I won't settle for less!

Or, I'll go to his wife and raise a scandal!

I'm capable of going to the Tribunal, where he works!

And he must also give me back the money I lent him!

I'll ruin him! I'I throw him in the street!

Him, his wife, his children! I don't care about anything!

- I don't care about anything! - Tomorrow morning...

- No! You must go now! - I don't know where he is... - His home.

- Am I to go there? - There's no harm, you ask for him...

- Don't insist, I can't go. - I'm asking you like a daughter.

- Like a daughter I'm asking you. - Alright, calm down.

I'm going, I'm going. Madonna mia!

- Who is it? - It's me.

It's the day before the Christmas Eve, and I thought...

That you needed to talk to someone,

to see a friendly face.

Someone who, even if doesn't speak, is near you. Am I right?

Poor Flaiano, they've left you alone the day before the Christmas Eve.

I'm alone because I wanted it.

I've enlisted because I wanted to see Naples, but I have a family back home.

- But why are you alone? - Why me?

I knew you were alone.

I've got land in Pescara, my parents are old.

They'd receive you like a queen.

Me?

- You want to marry me, don't you? - Yes.

"Assunta Spina's getting married."

"How come, haven't you found out? Assunta Spina's getting married."

Those that don't know her ask: "Who is Assunta Spina?"

Those that answer, whisper it, into their ears.

"It's that one. It's that one!"

"That one."

D'you know what "That one" means?

It means the trollope. And do you know what a trollope needs?

A man without scrupules, who doesn't leave her be, that cheats her.

A man who the more he sees her cry, the more he slaps her.

Who the more he ill-treats her, the more she likes it.

And what are you? What are you? Look at what you are!

You're a puppet!

You're a puppet!

People laugh... and why shouldn't they?

You're ridiculous, you're nothing.

You're in love.

Are you crying?

Cry.

Poor child.

Poor child.

Kiss me, please. Kiss me, because I'll never ask you again.

- Who're you looking for? - Federico Funelli. - First floor, on the right.

- Can I ring from here? - Yes.

- Who is it? - A lady's looking for the cavaliere.

- Cavaliere, a lady's looking for you. - He has just come in.

- Who is it? - It's me, Donna Emilia.

- Emilia who? - Forcinelli. Can you come down for a moment?

I'll be right there.

- Can I? It's cold out here. - Go, go.

- Good evening, Don Federico. - Good evening. Assunta?

- You got it, eh? - Nobody gave birth here, so I figured it out.

Tell her she mustn't bother me anymore.

Don't joke about it, she's gone crazy.

She said that, if you don't go have dinner with her tonight, she'll make trouble.

- I can't. - She threatens with going to your wife,

to the Tribunal, to your superiors and tell them you owe her money.

Now the threats! Don't listen to her. Excuse me, I must go back.

- What am I to tell her? - Don't go tonight, we'll speak about it tomorrow.

Tomorrow you'll tell her that everything's useless: begging, threatening.

The game's over between her and me. Good night.

- Coming back late, cavaliere? - I don't know, I hope it wil end quickly.

Good night, cavaliere.

Get in and close the door, it's cold.

- Assunta! - Madonna mia!

- Hey! - Madonna mia, Michele!

Michele! My Michele!

- Michele, you got out! - Yes, a month sooner.

More than one month, for good behaviour.

Federico Funelli moved the mountains, he's been like a brother.

- Ah, yes? - Yes.

- O my God. - What's the matter? Are you so impressed?

You're right, I should have let you now,

but it was a surprise, even I didn't expect it.

Drink a little water.

Poor Assunta, it looks like you didn't want to be alone,

you had invited someone? Who were you waitig for?

Donna Emilia, but it's late and she won't come.

- I want to wash my hands and face. - I'll give you a towel.

There's no need. I'm no longer used to such comfort.

- Here. - I'll be right back.

I'll be right back.

If you'd know the life I had!

What am I to do?

A novel, Assunta, a novel!

- Assunta. - Yes, I'm here.

- Assunta, are you listening? - Yes.

- Good evening, cavaliere. - On the beat, eh? - Yes.

- Funelli doesn't know? - What?

- That you got out. - No, even he doesn't know it.

He thinks I'm to be released next Friday.

I want to make hima surprise at his home, to thank him.

- You haven't yet gone to his house? - No, when I'll leve fom here.

- Doesn't your mother know you're out? - No.

- you must go right away. - No...

- Come on, you'll be right back. - No, I want to stay here.

Mother doesn't know anything, and one more day is the same thing.

I want to eat, I have a huge appetite.

My knife.

Bread.

If you knew what they gave us this moring!

A plate of soup and a little bread.

Prison is bad. No air, no light.

Everyday a walk in a yard... that big.

One behind the other. One, two... one, two.

Look, like this. One behind the other.

That's me, Michele. See? One, two... one, two.

And this is you: Assunta Spina.

Every night at the prison wall... here.

What have we to eat?

A little cold meat, and a little mozzarella.

- Aren't you eating? - I'm not hungry. - You have to eat.

If you don't eat it's bad omen, and you've thined.

I'm not hungry, Michele.

The wine!

Assunta, it's been so long since I drank wine!

You can't imagine what he did for me.

Don Federico decided I had to get out sooner, and he made it.

Do you know he leaves Naples? He asked for a transfer.

He leaves with his family, and doesn't want to return to Naples,

he says he doesn't feel well, even if he's born here.

- He doesn't want to come back? - No.

If I tell you something, will you believe it?

- You'll tell me some other time. - No, now.

- Right now. - What's the matter with you, what happened?

Nothing, but listen to me.

When you were inside... One, two... one, two.

- Well? - Well, I...

- So? - Don't you understand?

You?

- With who? - You don't know him, Michele.

- I don't know him? - No.

- You did well. - It's not true. - Yes, you did well!

Speak, when I was inside?

When they condamned you, and wanted to send you to Avellino.

- Well? - I met someone at the Tribunal.

He promissed he could arrange for you to remain in Naples.

- This way I could have seen you every day. - Federico Funelli.

- Yes! - Federico Funelli! I don't care.

- You should care! - No! What d'you want from me?

Want to get me in prison again?

I don't want to return there. I don't care!

- You should care. - No. I don't want to go back in prison.

You should care.

Madonna!

No, Michele. Michele, no!

No! Michele!

That way.

It's cavalier Funelli.

Donna Assunta, Don Federico Funelli's been killed. Who did it?

- It was me. - You?

- Yes. - Let's go.

Flaiano, stay here until the judge arrives.

Let's go.