Original subtitles

VENETIAN BIRD

Subtitles by Seglora

Grazie

Signore.That's not.The girlfriend?

-No thanks -The wife maybe?

No wife no girlfriend.Tell me.

The Fondamento San Giorgio that's somewhere behind Piazza San Marco?

Si signore ,under the Club Tower,third row

I'm Mercer,Edward Mercer,I phoned you from the land about using this address

Mercer? Milan? Oh yes.Of course

Are there any letters?

The advertisement has been in the paper for several days

Is that all?

Yes

Did you see the man that brought this?

Certainly

What was he like?

He was..

in a businesslike mind

it would be unethical to discuss one client with another

Thousand lire should take care of your ethics

Yes,yes

It is essential that you find out

if there were any replies in the advertisement in the newspaper

This man,Mercer, must not be allowed to get any information about Renzo Uccello,

you understand?

We will attend to him

Reward given for information leading to present whereabouts of Renzo Uccello

13 Fondamento,San Giorgio,Venezia

What about it?

How many letters have you passed to this Mercer?

Why should I tell you?

We want to do business with you Gostini

Don't make it difficult

Only one letter he picked it up half an hour ago

What did the letter say?

I don't read letters which come here

You read every letter that goes out through here

Sometimes you make money from them

You can make thousand lire out of this one

Three thousand lire

One thousand lire we said

Was from Carlo Boldesca,no address

He's offered to meet Mercer tonight at nine on the steps of the Church Maddalena

For 20000 lire he will tell him everything he wants to know about Renzo Ucello

Describe Boldesca

Working man,he's got an old scar on the right cheek here

Grazie Signore

I'll get you home.Where do you live?

Palazzo Boria

I'll be all right

-You want a doctor? -No

-I'll be all right -I'll give you a hand

-I can manage -Don't be a fool

I can fix your arm at my hotel,it's just around the corner,come on

So you are Carlo Boldesca of the Palazzo Boria

You've got something wrong,Signor

I'm Sandro Macanti

You would do better pretend you lost your memory,Boldesca

Never heard of anyone called Boldesca.Must go

Stay where you are

You wrote that to me

I'm Mercer.The man you came to meet

All right.Just pretend you had lost your memory

I advertised for information about Renzo Uccello,

you answered,your price was 20000 lire

That's just all about it

I don't know anything about this

I'm not Boldesca

Now,try and tell me you are not Boldesca

What's the matter with you? Who are you afraid of?

Let me tell you

All right

Take it easy

You'll get me something strength I'll tell you

I'll get you a brandy

A glass of brandy,please

Si,signor

Why don't they get bells fixed up in this place

Nobody wants to walk from their room to the bar in between the drinks

Sorry signor

You could take a bottle,save us the walk

That's a good idea

Hello

-OK Rosa Who is there? -Edward Mercer

Well,I didn't know you were in Venice

Hello Rosa

Come along in and have some of the medicine

They now say the young man works for an american relief organisation

-You don't change -Nor you.Bless you

What are you doing in Venice?

A cut rate job,third class fare,second class hotel maybe 100 £ of the whole thing

If I pull it off

And who are you doing it for?

Same Paris firm of lawyers, Gemlain Brothers

You swore you would never touch them again after that rowdiness

They even let you take the blame for the killing you knew nothing about

I got us both cleared in the end

What's the job?

I'm looking for a man

I've been doing that all my life

Do you know that girl?

No

Should I know something about her?

Tonight a man came to see me with some information

On the way here he was badly scared,that came from him

Unfortunately I let him get away while I was fetching the drink

I must be slipping

Ten years ago I would have made him talk before I got him a drink

Five years ago I would have locked the door while I went to fetch it

Tonight..

Now you are talking nonsense,come along and have another drink

That man tonight,the man I let get away

He said he lived in Palazzo Boria

Do you know where that is?

Yes I do.It is on the Grand Canal on the other side of the town

Buongiorno Signor

Buongiorno.What is this place?

This is Galleria Boria.But please go upstairs,and have a look around

Everything is for sale

Including that staircase?

Why not? We sold one previously to a gentleman from Cincinnati

Have this one wrapped up for me, and I collect it on my way out

-Buongirno Signorina,una lettra -Grazie

Buongiorno

I am sorry,this room is not open to the public

Can I help you?

I wonder if you could

I am looking for someone, I think he works here

Who is it?

A man called Boldesca

I am sorry he is not here today

Would he be here tomorrow?

We hope so

If you care to leave a message, I'll se that he gets it

Thank you.

Would you tell him I am still anxious to hear about his friend

My name is Mercer

All right,I tell Boldesca that a Mr Mercer is still anxious to hear about his friend

And his friend is called Renzo Uccello

I'll see that he gets the message

And now if you..

You make tapestry here I see?

The Boria tapestries are famous

And expensive?

Everything is expensive here

Would you like to see something maybe some furniture?

No thank you.The most furniture I ever owned was a wardrobe trunk

You won't forget my message will you?

-No -Thank you

-Buongiorno -Buongiorno

Is Count Boria still here?

Si signorina, he is in his room

All right,if anyone wants me I am with him

Who is the dark eyed Madonna in the cream overall? With a touch of ice in her voice

You mean Signorina Adriana Medova?

Adriana? What is she?

She is the Director of the Galleria. She does the design for the tapestries

I wanted to see Boldesca

What does he do?

Carlo? He is the outside porter

He is taken a day off I understand

One day,two, maybe three one never knows with Carlo

I can't help being worried, this man could be dangerous

He could,wherever you think of

There is little of importance that Boldesca could tell him,Signorina

Even a little could mean a lot to a private detective

If he talks to Bold..

No,no,that can't happen, Boldesca has been sent away

Sent away? Where?

To Milan.Please don't worry

Soon our arrangements will be complete and then you will have no more anxieties

I shall be glad when all this is over

You think Mercer will come back?

I'm sure he will

In that case it might be wiser to get him out of the way

When he comes back tell him what he wants to know

You can do that can't you?

-Yes,if you wish me to -I do

If we don't help him,he might help himself to too much

When a man faces a blank wall he turns round and comes back

but him on the wrong path and he will never come back

I gave instructions that Boldesca was not to meet the Englishman

It was unavoidable,Signore

He has been dealt with now

Mercer has been here

It would have been the police and not Mercer if Boldesca had talked

Never the less it wasn't done as I wanted

Remember that I took you out of the gutter

That I gave you a name, that I put the blade on your sleeves

Remember those things, Longo

I won't forget ,Signore

You want me to deal with this Mercer?

No.Signorina Adriana will take care of that

Signore

Sorry,Signore,I remember, still no wife still no girlfriend

Still no wife,still no girlfriend

Courage,Signore,you stay her a few more days,

Still no wife maybe,but plenty of girlfriends

No photo,then we do business,ah?

Signor Mercer

What's the matter,Tio?

You're in trouble signor?

Not more than usual,why?

-You are signor Eduardo Mercer? -Yes

I should be glad,signore, if you would accompany me to the questura(Police HQ)

Signor Spadoni Chief of Police would like to see you

What do they want me for at the police headquarters?

I am not told that

Must be something important to send a sergeant

Maybe because you are English,as a compliment

First time the police has ever wasted a compliment on me

This way,please,signor Mercer

Signor Spadoni will see you straight away

I do not smoke but if you wish

Luigi?

Your passport please!

How many times have you been in Italy Mr Mercer?

Five

You obviously like our country

I go wherever my work takes me

Your work?

I am a private detective

You do not ask why I sent for you?

I am full of curiosity

Once a time we can gratify the curiosity at least

If you will come with me I've something very interesting to show you

Luigi,has Mr Mercer's passport registered and checked

Si,signor

This body was pulled from the canal near your hotel at six o'clock this morning

As you can see this man's face has been battered to it is almost unrecognizable

He has been stabbed,there is a wound on the left arm

Round the wound was wrapped a handkerchief

I have it marked with your name

I have satisfied your curiosity. Can you satisfy mine?

Some of it

This man answered in an advertisement of mine for information about Renzo Uccello

You know who he was?

He said his name was Sandro Maccanti, last night was the first time I've seen him

On the way to meet me,he was beaten up,

at my hotel I bandaged his arm with my handkerchief

then whilst I was out of the room to get him a drink he disappeared

I've got nothing from him about Uccello

Probably he gave you a false name

I think he did

What are you going to do? Arrest me for his murder

No.I have more interest in Uccello

Luigi,seek up Mr Mercer's passport please

-It has been thoroughly checked -Good

About this Uccello

Who wants him?

A Paris firm of lawyers.

They have an american client,whose son,

a flyer,was shot down in Italy during the war

Renzo Uccello who was a partisan saved his life

He carried him over the mountains through the snow,then he left him at an inn

where he lay sick,later the germans came along and raided the place

and the son was taken prisoner

Do you believe this story?

Why not? Flyers were shot down and rescued

Besides I found the inn

They remembered Ucello there told me that he'd originally come from Venice

That's why I came here

And then when you find him what happens?

He's a hero.A lucky one. There is a reward for him

He did save a man's life

This one we pulled him out of the canal, much too late to save his life

was said to knew something about this Uccello

Don't you find this very interesting?

My only interest is to find Uccello

-Your passport Mr Mercer -Thanks

I'm sorry I couldn't help you

Very good of you to come

-Good Bye -Good Bye

Luigi

Get this done

I don't trust him

Did he do it?

I don't think so

Oh,Cassana

I got a job for you

At your service,Signore

Stop your fooling,I want to work someone

A woman,yes?

No,a man

Who is he?

Edward Mercer,English staying at the Albergo Adriatico

Is that all?

No,it is not all

Luigi.You remember the big political killing

we worked around together during the war?

Yes of course,we got the man

Of course,we caught the man,he was shot but

you remember too, we both felt though we could not get enough definite proof

that there was others behind him, two others,one Edward Mercer,

a British agent,and Rosa Melitus,an English woman

who has lived in Italy for about 20 years

And what do we find now in Venice

The same Edward Mercer looking for a man who disappeared during the war

a man I know to be guilty of robbery treason and murder

and also in Venice Rosa Melitus

running a sort of boarding house

A nice couple and already a man has been killed

You had better keep an eye on him,Cassana

Why don't you pull out of the whole thing

A job is a job,specially in these days

What about this girl,this Adriana?

What about her?

Perhaps I could make some inquiries about her for you

No,I don't think so

All right.Perhaps you'd better

That'll be Bernardo

Who is he?

Bernardo,he is an undertaker

-Rosa,come here! -Bernardo,my beautiful

-Who is this? -Edward Mercer,I told you about him

How long have you been here in the house?

About 20 minutes

You're here on business or..

Business.Why?

The police is very interested in somebody in this house

It isn't Rosa,unless she is hiding something from me

Cannot be me because me they would treat different

How do you know?

Look

By the canal

I know them all,the long is a street photographer,his name is Cassana

Cassana?

I've seen him before

Thanks for the tip

Bernardo is a good man to know if ever you are in trouble

I've seldom been out of it

It's true for all of us.There is only one place where men are free of problems

I make my money putting them there

-Buon Giorno -Buon Giorno

Great man this Nerva

Politicians.There is a great man. Everybody in Italy likes him

He is coming tomorrow I see

He is going to open an art exhibition, it is going to be a civic reception

Procession of gondoliers on the Grand Canal

Fireworks in the evening of course

Yes.Of course

Hey

Signore

All right I'll do it

He is a nice little fellow

What's his name?

-ToTo -ToTo,It's a nice name.

What's yours?

Ninetta.Ninetta Maria Minelli

That's a nice one too.Much much longer

Carlo Boldesca lives with you,doesn't he?

Yes.I saw Massimo kick ToTo

Poor ToTo

Have you ever seen a friend of his called Renzo Uccello?

Uccello?

Ninetta

-Good Evening -Good Evening

Run along,darling,your father wants you

Then you better run along

-Good Night -Good Night

I was coming to see if Boldesca was back

I'm afraid he is not

That's a pity.I was still looking for his friend Renzo Uccello

That's a pretty heavy bag may I take it with you?

Thank you

It is heavy.What is it you are hiding in here? Antiques?

No.Onions and tomatoes

Do you have far to go with this?

Quite a way

May I come with you?

That's very kind of you

I got a job once delivering vegetables

I was twelve and I wanted the money for a bicycle

And did you get it?

No.As usual the job didn't last long enough

I am glad I came to the Palace this evening,I might have missed this

Is it important for you to know about Boldesca?

Yes it is.I came to Italy to trace a man called Renzo Uccello

And Boldesca was going to give me some information about him

-May I have a cigarette? -Yes I'm sorry

I think I can tell you all about you want to know about Uccello

You can?

Yes

But yesterday you said

I know but Uccello isn't someone I find it easy to talk about to a stranger

Now that I know you a little

it's less difficult

If you could help me at all I'd be very grateful

Uccello was here during the last part of the war

We were together

I only want to know where he is now

I'm sorry to have to do this

He is dead

He was killed in air raid in a small town called Mirave

It's not very far from here

If you go there ,they will tell you all about it

Had he any relatives?

Not that I know of

I'm the only one who remembers him

I should have told you in the past

No,you helped me a lot I'm very grateful

I'm glad

I shall have to go to Mirave

And after that will you be leaving Venice?

I don't know

Here we are

1130 pm 3rd January 1945

This place was in German hands then

Killed everyone in the hotel

Is there another hotel?

Si,si,signor,out here Hotel Risorgimento across the square there

Signor,no good at looking. Nothing but a pile of rubble now

18 killed

And Uccello was one of them?

That was it says here

How would Uccello be identified?

I don't know,you'd better ask Grespi

He was Mayor at the time, he was first on the spot

Pulled most of them out and arranged the whole lot for funeral

Must have made a fortune out of the business

Where do I find him?

You'll find him Sino bandi Grespi by the station,

he is an outstanding mason,he did a memorial plaque out of it

-Thank you very much -Grazie

-Buena sera -Prego signor

Scuza,Signora

It is not a polite to enter without being requested

The police.From Venice

Now what has happened

You have just interviewed Signor Mercer

I want to know all that was said

All.Word for word

Everything

But put your shoes on first

Are you the man that carved the memorial in the square?

It's a fine piece of work

Mamma mia,no

Who did then?

My assistant Paolo Cervo.A genius you see,if there ever was one

Poor Paolo,the Germans took him when they left

Only the Good Lord knows what has happened to him

He's dead I suppose.If you come inside I'll show you some of his work

I'd like to

I believe you helped the people here on the night of the air raid

Yes I was Mayor then,what a night that was

Do you remember a man named Renzo Uccello? Who was one of the killed

Yes.Very well I and Paolo carried him out

Look at this panel,Signor

There is a donkey for you with a broken back and belly full of sour hay

Only a genius could have done that

What was this man Renzo Uccello like?

He was smashed to pieces,they all were

I'll show you some of Paolo's designs

Then how did you identify him as Renzo Uccello?

He had his identity card and a letter from a woman in Venice

Who is she?

I don't remember.We wrote to her. She send some money for his funeral

Now that's like for every colour

When were the identity cards and the other records being held

Oh,burnt,when the English soldiers took over the town hall

they used it for their cookhouse fires

Now see how he handles that design, there is life to it,yes and

birds and children

Paolo he was a fine engaged painter

Did Paolo Cervo do that?

Yes.Nobody else.And that was Paolo's favorite

I'd like to have a page of it. I'll pay you for it

Never mind about the paint but take it,take it

It's good to know somebody else appreciate Paolo

Infinitely much

Very fine piece of work my dear.Very fine

I must congratulate you

Thank you.But I'm glad it is finished

We had some trouble with the blueish stance

Have you a buyer for it?

Yes.A silk merchant from Milan as fat and ugly as one of his own worms

It should go to a palace of a Cardinal

However,the world changes

I saw the Englishman

Yes

He went to Mirave yesterday

You don't see to be very happy about it

I wish all this could be over

It's been so long.Always lying and the deceit

Sometimes I think I just,I just can't go on any longer

Cara Signorina I understand,you mustn't worry about it,everything will be all right

Our only danger was the Englishman

And now he has been put off

I am glad my man was able to find you

Well we both take it easy for you

I have joined the ranks of the unemployed

Where did you found Renzo Uccello?

He's dead

A hero's death I hope

I suppose you telling me

Here is his dossier,come, please have a look at it

Have a good look at it

Incidentally it was not your photographer spy

who followed me to Mirave but somebody did

A woman.If he was known to be buried in Mirave we would have told you

He has done just about everything isn't he?

Now you understand why I was a little suspicious

when you came around making inquiries about him

A murderer,a thief,forgery,the life

Why didn't you get your hands on him?

Don't ask embarrassing questions

No,no because he was no ordinary crook, half french half serb,not really Italian

And he seemed to inspire a certain loyalty in the people he worked with

Well at any rate they never betrayed him

It is going to be easier to tell our american clients the truth

Decent people are entitled to few illusions

Go by then and tell your friends that Uccello died like a hero

I don't like it,I don't like it at all

You think Renzo Uccello did this design as calling himself Paolo Cervo

Yes

The police records say that Uccello was once an apprentice to a stonemason

Paolo was a stonemason,Uccello was a draftsman,an artist,so was Paolo

I think that Uccello used the name Paolo Cervo as an alibi

And that he parted his Uccello papers on a smashed up body

When that body was buried all proof that Uccello was still alive disappeared

I am going to have a look at that tapestry in the Boria Palace

If the two designs are the same means to say

that Uccello was not the man buried at Mirave

It's no concern of yours,for your money Uccello is dead

I don't like to be fooled

-By a woman -By anyone

What did Bernardo find out about her?

Nothing that helps

There is something going on in that palace

Boldesca came from there to tell me about Uccello and he was murdered

Now Paolo design turns up there

You don't want to finish up like Boldesca did

I can take care of myself

The times I have heard men say that

Take it

Thanks I never use them

Survival is often the simple method

being able to change your habits at the right moment

You watch yourself in that palace

Ninetta what are you doing here?

I was strolling up,papa,I couldn't sleep

But you know that the signor Conte doesn't give you permission

to play in this part of the gallery

Do you want me to lose my job?

-I was only playing.. -Go down at once

Look at your new night dress, you catch a death of cold

I wish I didn't have to go to bed, I'm sure I'd woke late

What is Uccello doing here?

One might ask the same question about you

Come in and shut the door

And they told you who does it..

No I do not know who it would be

I just got a message to say that you'll be at Orfeo at Saturday about eight o'clock

You are to meet him there, I must confirm it btw

-Eight o'clock Orfeo's glass works -Right

Then help yourself with some sherry and stop fawning

What is he doing here?

Why shouldn't I come up here?

As soon as I'm finished with Amadeo Nerva I'll be away

Every artist likes to see his work, while it is finished

All I need is a few minutes

Did Adriana tell you it was finished?

Well,Signore, she tells me everything

I hope you don't tell her everything

She must not know about Amadeo Nerva

Who do you think I am?

That's enough

I don't want to hear the name of Nerva

You could have five minutes

Good Evening Contessa, what shall we do this evening?

Play a game,dance or sing

The Contessa would like to dance,very well

Who are you?

I'm Count Boria.Please don't get that on my cushions

My name is Mercer,Minelli there knows me

Quite

But that doesn't explain your presence here

Let him give his explanations to the police

He can explain to them as well as necessary

I came in here late this afternoon to have a look around

I sat in a window seat and I must have fallen asleep

When I woke up it was dark,there was a light coming from underneath the door

I went across,as I got there someone came out

I couldn't see who it was,but he behaved very suspiciously

A ridiculous story

Go on Mr Mercer

I thought it was a burglar, we played cat and mouse in there for a while

and then Ninetta came in

I didn't want to frighten her

but as I was going across to the light something hit me

One can get very odd feelings in that room at night

Imagination

Well is cuts not imagination

This is what hit you,Mr Mercer

I don't believe the story, he should be searched

I didn't take anything,you can look in my pockets

And I didn't knock myself out

You can send for the police if you want to

I don't think that would be necessary

Minelli take the child down to your quarters

I have had reasons before to complain about her wanderings

And make a search of the premises with Mr Longo

Si,signore Conte

Perhaps we ought to take a look around the tapestry room

If you wish.Please

We won't find anybody

You see there is nobody here

So I see

I think you will let me give you a drink

Thanks I could do with one

Come on

I see

Very well Minelli

Minelli has been through the palace,there is no one here

who should not be

Maybe I dreamed it all

Maybe

You are feeling all right now?

Yes thank you

I'll let you out through my parade entrance

It used to be a secret exit

I use it to save Minelli trouble with the main door at night time

That is a very interesting tapestry you have in the work room

Who did the design?

You like it?

Very interesting

Signorina Medova,who works here did it

It's based on a painting by Roland Savori, which as far as I can remember used to be

in the Kunst Historiches Museum in Vienna

-Good Night Mr Mercer -Good night

Signorina Medova?

-It's open -Grazie

Good Evening

I'd like a word with you

Right.Of course

I went to Mirave

I hope you found what you wanted

Would you like to have a drink?

Why are you so anxious for me to believe that Uccello is dead?

Uccello is dead

You know he isn't

Why do you say that?

If you've been to Mirave, you must know he is dead

I know you want me to think he is dead

Just as you want me to think that Boldesca is alive

But Boldesca is alive

I wonder how much you do know

What was Boldesca to you?

Nothing

I took this photograph from him the evening he came to see me

He must have stolen it

I don't like him.I am glad he is gone

He is dead

His body was taken out of the canal, the morning after I saw him

But there must be some mistake

Count Boria has a letter from him. He is in Milan

Boldesca is dead.The police is already questioning me about him

But then why didn't they come to the palace?

Police and myself seldom exchange confidences I didn't get them his real name

Or where he lived

I don't believe it.Boldesca is in Milan,I know

And Uccello?

Uccello is dead

All right.Don't believe me

I'm not here to worm some secret out of you

But that is your profession,isn't it?

The only reason I am here is because I want to help you

Why should you be concerned about me?

Why?

Can't you see that I'm not interested in Uccello

Half my life has been spent filleting about in dark little corners

There is no longer any surprise in me for things that come to light

Evil,suspicion,fear that's my profession

But now and again in the midst of all the muck

you find someone which makes you realize that the world isn't just darkness

A woman can do that to you

You've done that to me

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I understand, but I wish you hadn't come

You're wasting your time

Time is the only thing I have to waste

You want me to leave Venice,don't you?

Please.There is nothing for you in Venice

No?.You'll see

Renzo.You heard what he said

Yes Cara

I don't understand about Boldesca

He isn't anything

Adriana what is the matter with you?

You aren't taking in by his lies are you?

Don't worry about him

It's not him.It's us

Renzo.How much longer is all this going on?

Only another week,then I shall be safely away

and it won't be long before you can follow too

Are you surprised that he has fallen in love with you?

I don't understand.Every time I see him,

gives me the impression of searching for something I don't know about

Forget him.Boria can handle him

What did he do to you out there? Did he touch you?

No.Don't be a fool,Renzo

I'll cut his throat

Cara

I've a feeling that we almost met before

Maybe Signor

I've a present for him

For my birthday

People get presents for other reasons

Who send this?

Open it Signore

One hundred thousand lires.They have underestimated your nuisance value

Was there any message with this?

Yes. It is a first class reserve ticket for the Paris train

And instructions that you must use it today

They do things in style don't they?

Why don't they give me the same treatment as Boldesca

You're English,Signore,maybe they think it wise to handle you differently

But you don't

They need not have wasted their money

Whose idea was it that I could be bought off?

-Yours? -Please go away

When you answered my question

Please you are hurting my arm

I'm in a hurry

Taken us a long time to understand each other

but I should have thought you would have known that I couldn't be bought off

I don't know what you are talking about

But you don't have to act with me

Take these back where they came from,

and remember I'm still filleting about in the dirtiest and darkest corners I can find

The mistakes you make,all of them could have been avoided,

if you only stopped to think

I could have told you he wasn't to be bribed

One hundred thousand lires

All new notes

Must be a saint

Saint Eduardo of the 100000 Lire

He is no saint.He hates his work so all is his pride in himself

You have your pride only in your work

You think too much about him

Begin to understand him.Sometimes I don't understand you or Count Boria

" I must see you again to tell you how mistaken you are about me.

I shall wait for you on the steps of the Salute at 10 o'clock tonight

It's good of you to come,thank you

I nearly didn't.What is it you want me to tell me?

When you gave the money back I've learnt a lot about you

You never know how close I came to keeping it

I don't think you did

I could have told Renzo that you could not be bribed

He is alive isn't he?

Yes

For a hero he is a hard man to reward

He has a police record

I don't turn people over to the police

Long time ago he killed a man in self defense

Then he went desperate and did foolish things

Where is he now?

In Venice

He was a partisan during the war

Then he had the chance to bury Renzo Uccello for good and he did so

Under the name of Paolo Cervo he was taken away by the Germans from Mirave

And now he is back in Venice

Yes.He has been here six moths.Count Boria and I are helping him to leave the country

You see he is a man of great talent

and possibilities and if you would have found him

there would be publicity and the police would have taken him

So Count Boria and Uccello trying to bribe me to leave

The Count must have taken one look at me and thought it would be easy

They were wrong

Now I'm asking you for my sake,please go away from Venice and forget about it

You'll know I'd do anything for you

Does he know about this?

No

What does he call himself now?

I can't tell you that

All I'm asking you is that you should...

I know leave Venice.What is this man to you?

I'm his wife

I was married when I was seventeen

and no matter what he has done out of his wildness,he is my husband

For years he was out of my life

Sometimes I used to wish he never come back

But when he did I was glad

It was Uccello simply wishes his past to be dead

so he can start living in another country

I'm not interested in exposing him to the police

Boldesca would be there

Could Uccello have killed Boldesca because the man had found out his secret

Boldesca is alive,I saw his letter from Milan

Renzo killed once but it was in self defense

because he was younger and wild but not now

All right.I only want to get things clear for your sake as well as my own

Boria could have forged Boldesca's letter

The Count would have no part in anything like that

What is his interest in all this?

He is helping us because he has no children

Because he recognize Renzo's genius

And the Count excuse us so much

You must believe me

You are going away with your husband

I shall join him later

What will you do?

It is not of my business to tidy up the police records

What's the matter child

-Can I help? -No please

Can I get a doctor?

No I rather take him home,Father

You knew that this was going to happen

Please you must believe me

For pity's sake what do you think I am?

Tasting this?

I don't need anything

Drink

How you must hate me

No,you are quite honest,you told me days ago there was nothing for me in Venice

You didn't ask me to stay

And now? Will you go?

What would I do without you

It must be the nicest hide out in Venice

Look.You will end up in the mortuary

I know you I know this town

Now why don't you be sensible and leave Venice

I'm staying

Where would you go if someone asked you to meet you in Orfeo's glass works

The glass works of that name is in Murano, owned by Count Boria

Sounds like the place

The night I broke into the palace I heard Boria actually talking to Uccello

They are meeting again tomorrow night again at Orfeo's glass work at eight o'clock

I'm going to be there too

Ladies and Gentlemen these glassblowers of Murano

are the descendants of the men

on whose plants the prosperity of this island was founded

It is an ancient craft that is handed over from father to son

and the beautiful things which are made here are sold all over the world

We only have five minutes to catch the boat

Wait for me Guard

Signore,Signore

Sorry I'm late

The place is empty now Signore. Do you wish me to wait?

Yes.It won't be long now

Very good,Signore

Read that

Martelli.What am I supposed to do on the basis on a message like that?

How can I take action with no facts,tell me,please

If there is any truth in this there is likely to be something nearer

The liable indications are not susceptible to proofs

but bearing a circumstantial authenticity which cannot be ignored

I can just see the first great secretary in Rome smacking his lips over this

So you what happened? A whisper, a rumor,a few words

spilled out by frightened servant

and they expect me to get results on the basis of no facts

an attempt to assassinate Amadeo Nerva

If that happened

Have you any idea who is behind it?

It's politics obviously,kill Nerva, tear up the country,

and then the interested party to carry out a coup d'etat

Tell me which party would do a thing like that?

Don't bother

But Nerva is due here tomorrow

What are we supposed to do?

Lock him up in a room or go out and pick out the assassin now

We can pick up all the likely men in the city within a couple of hours

That is just what we are going to do including Eduardo Mercer

Good to see you

A pity you had to rush for your train

I should would like you to meet Uccello,he will be here soon

I wish I could

Is everything arranged for him?

Yes.Tomorrow he does his work for us

and then in two days he'll be on his way to South America

We are taking a great risk

But think of the reward.Within a week Nerva's death we'll be in power

and out of weakness,confusion we should create discipline and strength

Uccello might miss

Uccello won't miss, Amadeo Nerva is as good as dead at this moment

-There is someone here -What was that

Put on the light

Come on

Run back

Stay here.We can cut him off

Uccello.Was a lucky thing you were here,Uccello

Could have been in Paris with the money in his pocket

Think Eduardo with 100000 lire

Come on give me a hand with him

There must be another way of dealing with this man

None so convenient

Ucello will still fire the shot but where you are standing now,

will be body of the assassin, Mercer,whom you will have caught in the act

will have caught in the act and killed,when he tried to attack you

A man with blood money in his wallet,

a hard up Englishman already mixed up in one assassination

It's neat and saves us a lot of trouble

I've never..

You don't object playing the hero

He'll be the first man I have killed

When Nerva is dead you won't be forgotten longer

Mercer should have been back by now

Maybe the police have got him,

they have been picking people up all over the place tonight

Something is going on

I hope it is the police and not someone else

I wouldn't like him picked up out of the canal

If it comes to that perhaps I can help

nice maul in the top in silver plated fittings,

very difficult to get mahogany in these days

But for a friend of yours

You should live in a morgue

That's a good idea,who would I play cards with?

You said you were not coming tonight

I changed my mind

Is it really true? Only one more day

Yes,cara,only one more day

Just as well every time you come you scratch the rail here

They should have painted it soon

Renzo nothing could go wrong now,could it?

No,cara,only one more day, we should be away from here

Viva Nerva

This is a great day

I had no idea that Nerva was so popular

I don't envy him,the love of the people can be a very dangerous thing

Just listen to them

Cigarette?

You can smoke when you go out of this room

And keep that rifle down until you want to use it

You are nervous

That's good, we are both going to kill

It's easier when you are frightened or angry,drunk

It's going be hard for you with him just laying there

Shut up

Fifty meters to the middle of the canal

At least he will be moving, not lying like a bag of clothes

You talk too much

I have to,it proves I'm human

During the war I used to pick up German dispatch raiders

Funny,sometimes the machine used to go on quite a long way without them

I was born a peasant,it was a mistake I wanted cake not black bread

Nerva was born a peasant too

He is going to die a martyr

Keep your filthy mouth shut

Coming now

When you have done it, Doctor Adalberti gets out

Don't worry I am not staying to be congratulated

Bello,bellissimo I should have a pencil and not a gun

Viva Nerva

Viva

Ninetta get out of here

But I want to meet you but they did not let me see you

You must go Ninetta

Signor Mercer

Did he faint?

He will be all right

It's the Englishman

He was just making off as I arrived I hit him before he could use his rifle on me

Is he dead?

Minelli take everybody downstairs and keep them there until the police arrive

Signorina,move it please, leave everything to me

Why didn't you kill him?

The child came in.I will do it now

After all those people have seen him

No,Longo,the police will have to do it,you bungled

They'll take longer but the end will be the same

Grazie,grazie

Shot through the lung,only a matter of few hours before he dies

Who dies?

Please spare us this pretence of ignorance about Nerva

Nerva?

Be quiet.Teniente Longo

You're the first here?

Yes

How did you happen to be the first here?

Count Boria invited me to watch the procession from the waterfront

I didn't know any of the guests and I felt a bit uncomfortable

So I went to the top of the stairs to watch from the window

When Nerva's barge was opposite the palace I heard a shot fired from this room

And I saw Nerva fall down

I rushed in here and saw this man with a rifle in his hands

Can't you see he is lying?

Be quiet,your time will come.Be quiet

He went for me but I hit him with my revolver

A few seconds later Ninetta came in and afterward Minelli

Minelli?

Everything he says is perfectly true,

when I came in I saw Ninetta,teniente Longo

and Signor Mercer was lying on the floor

Now you can talk

I didn't shoot Nerva,why should I?

He was only a name to me

You have to do better than that I've found this in your pocket 100000 lires

That answers why should I

And this rifle with your fingerprints on it

Let him walk around if he wants to,plenty to think about,plenty to answer

Nerva was shot by Renzo Uccello

Will you explain to me who a man was buried in Mirave can be in this room?

He is not dead.That was Boria and lots of other people wanted me to believe

That's what they want you to believe now that I was a put off

A few nights ago in the Orfeo glass works

I heard them discussing how Uccello was to shoot Nerva

Then they found me and I have been kept in this palace ever since

Two hours ago this man drugged me, when I came to you were all in this room

trying to pin this on me

Are you suggesting that Count Boria is framing you for this crime?

Isn't it obvious.

That's very ingenious

Stop blaming me

Sit down and be calm.Count Boria would you care to answer this accusation?

Thank you.This man's story is absolutely nonsense.

I know nothing of anyone called Uccello

Look send for Signorina Medova, she works here,she is Uccello's wife

She told me he is alive and Boria is helping him get out of the country

This man has a fantastic imagination

Yes.But at last he has given something we can check on

This signorina Medova is she in the palace?

-Yes -Get her Luigi

Now I shall see Mr Mercer

Signorina Medova

We want you to help us

I will if I can

Do you know this man?

Yes.He has been to the palace before

He tells us that you are the wife of certain Renzo Uccello

I was the wife of Renzo Uccello

He is dead

He is buried at Mirave

That's not true,you know it is not true

Luigi,clear the room

Come,come.You had your chance

Thank you Signorina

Mercer.Now sit down

Yes,yes I hear but nothing you say convinces me,Mercer

Probably because the truth

What do you take me for?

We find the rifle with your fingerprints,

you are hard up, and you have been in similar jobs before

and you expect me to believe this cock-and-bull story about Uccello

Why didn't you go to Paris? Why did you stay secretly in Venice?

What do you take me for?

A man who has already made up his mind that I am a killer

Mercer.Listen

Nerva is going to die.This may mean big trouble for this country

If I can find the men behind the killing I may be able to handle the situation

I want you to help me

I've told you.Boria is your man. Why don't you make him talk

You mean Boria hired you?

No.But he hired Uccello

Uccello,always Uccello

Uccello killed Nerva

Go along and we make a deal,plenty of cash and your personal safety

Now what else have you got to worry about?

Look.If I can do a deal with you I would.

Doesn't that prove that I am telling the truth?

How? It proves that you are hoping defense will fix things up for you

I'm losing patience with you. I'll make you talk before midnight

One way or another

Uccello is the man who needs that kind of treatment

Uccello is dead

-Look.I will do a deal with you -Yes

I'll show you that Uccello is alive

Oh if I hear that name again I think I will go mad

for two hours I've heard nothing but Uccello Uccello Uccello

Luigi,Luigi

What's happened there?

Don't ask me.I am a journalist. I've just been thrown out of there

Most people knock

Most people have time to knock

The police is after me

I shall give you five minutes then I telephone Spadoni

So you've heard?

Don't tell me that you believe that I shot Nerva?

-Didn't you? -No I didn't

All right Rosa.I can make it on my own

I shall have to believe you

If you got to jump for it the canal is 30 foot below that window

Where is he?

There

I knew you he would come to you, we must get him away from here quick

Spadoni is coming

Look you both make trouble for yourself trying to help me

Anyway I'm innocent I might as well as give myself up

What's innocence has got to do with it?

You don't stand a chance for the men like Boria

He can fix anything

So can I.Come on.Don't waste time

Most people knock

Right.Search all the rooms on this floor first

If you want a room we are full up

Don't fool on me Rosa,I'm not in the mood

I never get the man under my bed in my life

Who are you looking for?

Mercer.He shot Nerva

He didn't do it.He is not that kind

And you can tell that?

Why not? I know him better than you

I shot at him,wherever he is, maybe wounded

Man can run a long way with a bullet in him

Rosa.Find him for me

There is hundred thousands lire for you

I don't earn that kind of money

No.Very well.I shall have to leave a guard here

You are not the first thing that has come this way

I've seen generals scramble across here and cats

Come

Here we are,here is the bed,not very clean

There is water you can wash,shave, everything is in the cupboard

Lock the door after me,don't open it again until you hear me knock

Like that.Right

How long do I stay here?

One night,two nights,it depends

-What's your hand? -I got a splinter..

If I could lay my hands on Uccello

You stay here

I'm going to get some food

Forget about Boria

And forget Ucello

What's going on in your head?

I was thinking.There are always these marks

What are you talking about?

I've seen marks like these before on another balcony

And I think I know how they got there

Do you know where Adrian Medova lives?

I know where everybody lives

Do you know how lives on the house on the right of hers?

I can find out

But that's all.You stay here. So long as you are here you're safe.

You go outside in the street,the people won't stop to argue with you

Don't worry there won't be any argument

But,caro signor Prefetto,it is not necessary to do that

It's only a question of time,he is in the city and he cannot get out

Yes,that's all taken care of, railway,steamboat,airfield

If he as much shows his nose in the street we shall get him

Eat and drink while I talk

What's happening outside?

He is still alive,blood transfusions

And everybody knows what is going to happen

I've got to get hold of Uccello

You've got to get out of this country

Bernardo is going to fix it

Where do I finish up?Going razen in South Africa under a false name

What's wrong with the razens? Oh forget Uccello.

You know I was offered 100000 lires for you

You should have taken it on the open market I am worth about 10

I am sorry Rosa.You know how grateful I am

Gratitude is all I ever get from my men

Bernardo will give you your instructions tomorrow

Oh,and here is a little present for you

-Sod the newspapers -You can't blame them,every one wants news

They won't get any if there isn't any

He is gone to ground,all right, we've been everywhere we could think of?

In this city is like a rabbit warren

He's got to come out,he's got to come out sometime

-You're sure he did it? -Oh,Luigi,don't you start

Tomorrow morning you go

How is everything?

Very bad

It's happened

Two hours ago

He was a good man

Tomorrow morning I'll come back

Did you find out what I asked you?

The house next door is a furniture depository,it belongs to Boria

Take my advice,forget what you are thinking.Please

Give him to us.We will finish him

He is in Venice.I know he is in Venice. We got to find him

What are you doing here?

What do you want?

I'm telling you,don't make any trouble

A packed suitcase.I came just in time

The moment you leave here I'm going to the police.Nerva was a good man

I hate you for what you had done

I didn't do it.Uccello shot Nerva

It's a lie

Why keep that up now.I don't blame you to protect him

but Uccello shot Nerva and you know it

I know him.He could never have done it

You know me too.Do you think I could have killed him?

Yes I do.They told me you have done that sort of things before

Uccello has.Adriana don't you see? Uccello killed him

That was the price Boria made him pay

Takes your hands of her and keep them there

-Have you got a gun? -In my right pocket

Good for you that you did not try to use it

It wasn't meant for you

Come.We got a long trail you but I tell you

out of street and cover,don't try to excite attention

You told me that if I could prove to you that Uccello was alive

you would believe me my story

Yes I did

Well he is within 50 yards of here now

It's now or never you can walk along with a gun on my back

Look at her.She was not telling the truth she was going off with him

It's a lie

Va bene.But the first sign of stupidity

Cassana What are you doing here?

You are supposed to be in Rome on holiday

What is all this?

I got back this evening I use this as my dark room

That's the Englishman who killed Nerva what is it?

Is it that you are Renzo Uccello that you killed Nerva?

-Uccello? -Yes Uccello

Don't let him fool you,Spadoni

look at that passport with his photograph with another name

A portrait of Adriana Medova his wife

A bunch of steam ship tickets for the Segovia she is laying in the bay now

May I see them

Come on quick

Subtitles by Seglora