Original subtitles

Good morning. I'm Greta Franklin.

Stafford, the publisher in London, wrote you about me.

Oh, of course! You're the new secretary.

We were awaiting you. Mr. Stuart's on a trip.

He'll be back tomorrow. Come in. Your room is ready.

Thank you.

What's a monkey to a man?

A derision, a painful shame.

And what's a man to a superman?

A derision, a painful shame.

Do you agree with Nietzsche?

He put away his book and looked her in the eye.

And then he continued.

- Why are you looking at me like this? - I'm sorry...

I swear I'm not a ghost.

N0, it's just that I thought you looked different.

Different how?

I don't know... I've read all of your books, and...

And you imagined me like a kind of...

sea monster.

With one hundred eyes and a flaming head...

whose hands become so enormous at night that it can touch the moon.

You thought that when I transform back to little again, I'd cry a river.

Isn't it so?

What a shame. Unfortunately I don't look like myself...

but my modesty compels me to be simple.

Now, come with me.

See that nail?

Well, I hammered it in five years ago.

I knew what I wanted and finally got it. After five years.

It's mine.

Mine! Do you understand?

Lorenzo Lott0's "La Baccante".

- D0 you know him? - No, I don't think so.

Really? I have to introduce him to you, then.

Lorenzo Lotto, painter, born in Venice in 1480.

- And when did he die? - But what are you saying?

Don't you know that great artists are immortal?

Do you know, dear, that this young lady read all of my books?

Every one of them, if I'm not mistaken.

Unfortunately she was disappointed with me.

I think she considers me a very ordinary guy.

Everything can be said about you but not that you're ordinary.

I didn't say so. I just wanted...

- May I go, signora? - Yes, see you tomorrow, Giovanni.

Giovanni lives in Torcello, nearby.

Richard prefers not to have the servants here at night.

Servants have the vice of eavesdropping.

Oh, yesterday Sandro and Cristina came here during the evening.

- Did you have fun? - So-so, nothing special.

Greta, feel free to go to bed if you like.

- I probably do. - Goodnight, then.

- See you tomorrow. - See you tomorrow.

So Sally Reece didn't leave you her new address?

That's right, commissioner.

And she didn't have any explanation for this sudden departure?

N0.

When a secretary quits, she's supposed to give notice.

Well, you see...

Before leaving, the girl seemed strange lately, changed.

As if something was tormenting her.

Maybe it was just my impression. She didn't confide in us, however...

and we never asked her anything.

And she didn't leave anything behind? Her luggage maybe?

N0, nothing at all.

Commissioner, do you think something serious happened to Sally?

A girl doesn't vanish into thin air like this...

without any explanation or a reason.

That's true.

Can you tell me, at least, if Sally knew anyone?

If she had a man, a boyfriend...

I have no interest in the private life of my secretaries.

I'm sorry that I'm not of use to you.

Please inform me if there's something new.

I'm sorry, but believe me, these are only formalities.

I understand, commissioner. Follow me, I'll accompany you.

Here we are. This is my hairdresser.

I'll meet you here in an hour.

- Alright. - Greta...

Sometimes I need a friend, a confidant.

I feel lonely in that house.

- Why don't you come with me? - No, thank you.

I really have lots of errands to run.

Sally Reece was a friend of mine.

I too am sure something terrible happened to her.

What do you mean by "you too"? Who else thinks so?

You, commissioner.

I overheard your questions to Stuart.

I have to answer to an information request from Scotland Yard.

Me and Sally were very close ever since we were in college.

We lived together, worked together.

Then she accepted this job in Venice.

At first, she used to write me frequently, but then less and less.

This is her last letter.

She wrote it shortly before the day they said she left.

I live in a world I never imagined could exist.

I feel like I'm being driven by another will inside me.

A superior will that attracts me and repulses me at the same time.

It's an exciting experience, a marvelous nightmare.

There are moments when I'm disgusted by myself...

and by the state of degradation I'm in.

Then I want to be the one I was again...

to start from scratch, to run far away...

but then I get overwhelmed again, attracted and subjugated...

incapable of opposing myself.

And so I'm afraid of losing this world of perverse pleasures...

which enwraps me like a spider's web.

If only I explain it to you. I'm sure you'd understand me...

but I don't know if we'll see each other again.

Write me. Write me, I beg you.

But don't use my address. Send me a poste restante letter.

This doesn't mean much.

It's just a bunch of, let's say, irrational words.

Richard Stuart is a very important man, right?

This letter can be interpreted in many ways. There's nothing concrete about it.

It doesn't accuse anyone.

What are you going to do now, miss?

I'll stay in that house and will unravel the mystery of Sally's disappearance.

How did you manage to get hired?

Sally and I worked for Stuart's publisher.

It was easy.

If your suspicions are right, you're in great danger.

I'm aware of that.

Goodbye, commissioner, I have to go now.

Greta!

Greta!

It's me! Open the door!

What's going on?

There... behind the window...

- There's a man! - What did that man look like?

He was a huge man. Huge!

- Terrible! - I understand. Calm down, Greta.

It was only Rocco, a fisherman who lives nearby.

He's perfectly harmless.

The brain of a child in a giant's body.

Come on, dear, go to bed now.

I'll stay with you until you're asleep.

- Good idea. - But I don't want to bother you.

- Thank you, it's not necessary. - Don't be childish.

- How scared you must've been. - Good night, and sweet dreams.

SQ?

Have a little more patience, Richard.

You know I always keep my promises.

Since you're not sleeping, why don't you come upstairs with us?

Come on, please. Richard is waiting for you.

Come on, put this one.

You don't feel embarrassed because of me, do you?

This is Greta.

Hi!

Congratulations, Richard.

Do you pick your secretaries at some beauty contest?

I'm glad you came.

Drink this.

Come on, take it.

Don't drink it if you don't want to.

Attagirl.

You know exactly what you want, right?

I want to introduce you to Eleonora's friends.

- I'd like to get to know Eleonora first. - Me too.

But Eleonora is an enigma. And I don't want to solve it.

Tell me about yourself then.

I'm a little like them all.

Decadent, corrupted...

lost in the agony of a city that plays with mirrors.

But I love them all.

Just as I love the image of Venice painted on the water.

I'm sure we'll become good friends.

What makes you think so?

I usually get lucky with Richard's secretaries.

Did you know the one who was here before me?

Sally? Of course. We were inseparable.

Every time she was in Venice, she immediately came to visit me...

at my place.

Greta, do you remember the tale of "Red Riding Hood"?

Sandro, turn off the lights.

We're in the first row.

It's fun, you know? I've already seen it at the cineclub.

It's "cinema d'essai".

Yes, last year it won an award at the Biennale.

I think he'll eat her little snack...

You are so silly, Guido.

Hey, a perfect tackle!

What a fuss over a rag like that.

- Oh, poor little wolf... - An inglorious loss of chastity.

Oh, no, it's over, now that I was starting to like it.

Now I'd like to see something spicy.

Who's this? What's she doing in there?

Sally!

Suspend the job you were doing, Greta.

I had a new idea. Are you ready?

Let's start.

When she realized the danger, it was already too late.

Death was already after her.

She began to discover the truth about the disappearance of her friend.

That's the only reason why she wanted that job.

It was a pretext to enter that house.

It was there where the girl's every trace was lost.

What do you think about my story? Tell me.

I don't know.

Well, it's just a starting point for now. But it could be developed, don't you think?

What are you talking about?

I've decided to write a "giall0" novel.

You are kidding, Richard. A writer of your caliber...

But I have a stimulating idea. It'll be fun.

The perfect crime is possible.

For a superior mind, of course.

I can already see the things that will happen...

and they won't be pleasant for our heroine.

You know, Greta, for us, the authors...

every character is like a beloved creation.

It's painful to see them suffer...

or maybe to let them die.

- You're from London, aren't you? - Yes.

And when did you start working for the publisher Stafford?

- Over four years ago. - Oh, so you must have known Sally.

Sally Reece.

I don't think so.

There are more than 300 employees at Stafford's.

London... a wonderful city.

I lived there for years, right after the war.

I have lovely memories.

Eleonora!

Eleonora!

Mr. Stuart always carries the key with him.

Well, I had to run some errands in town...

but nothing important. I'll do it another time.

Good morning, Greta.

Today we'll talk about the girl's disappearance.

Clouds obscured the moon and the night remained dark.

The man was rowing standing up.

He moved the oar up and down in an almost obsessive rhythm.

The shore receded more and more into the distance.

The house was merely a white stain in the dark.

The body of the girl was lying at the bottom of the boat.

She looked like she was sleeping...

but her head was leaning backwards in an unnatural position.

The bruises on her neck pierce through the whiteness of her skin.

Her long legs swung along with the movement of the boat as if they were alive.

The boat left the reeds...

and was now out in the open.

The oarsman looked around.

An unnamable solitude.

When he arrived at a place where he knew the waters were deep...

the oarsman stopped.

He tied the girl's ankles to a heavy anchor...

but when he heard a rhythmic throbbing, he stopped in his act.

A motorboat was approaching.

He waited motionless in the dark.

He didn't want to lose his wager with murder.

The fishermen didn't notice him, and kept on going.

The man lifted the body.

He threw it into the water.

The anchor followed it with a thud.

Then the water settled again.

That death is now erased forever.

N0 one would ever discover it.

N0 one would ever find that body.

The fishes would slowly eat it for days.

- Yes? - Giovanni?

- Yes. - Give me Ms. Greta.

0K8)'-

It's Mr. Richard. He wants to talk to you.

But the telephone wasn't working a moment ago.

- Was it broken? - No.

- Yes? - Hello, Greta.

We're staying in Venice for lunch. We won't be back before evening.

What is it?

- Are you feeling sick? - No, no.

If you don't feel well, you should get some rest, go to bed.

- Don't worry, I'm fine. - Perfect.

We'll have a guest at the villa this evening: Sandro.

- Ah, yes. Very good. - So we're good. See you later.

Giudecca Police Station. Who is it?

Listen, I'm Greta Franklin...

- Greta who? - Greta Franklin.

I'd like to speak with Mr. Antonelli, please.

What is it about? Can't you tell me?

N0, I absolutely have to talk to him personally. It's urgent!

That's not possible. The commissioner's in Milan.

- And when will he be back? - Tomorrow morning.

- But what's this about? Tell me. - No, no, never mind.

Leave him a note. Tell him Greta Franklin called.

He'll understand. Thank you.

Forgive me for entering.

I've discovered the cabin by chance, and so...

I live in the villa. I'm Mr. Stuart's secretary.

Again, please forgive me. I'll go now.

They are eels.

- Are you afraid? - Oh, actually...

They're delicious.

Did you cut yourself?

Here you are.

I have to go now.

I took a look at the sky. Tomorrow, it'll be a beautiful day.

- This is for you, Greta. - I don't even know how to use it.

- That doesn't matter at all. - I don't even have a gun license.

You have to come with us. I insist. You'll love it.

- I don't even know what to wear. - Eleonora will lend you something.

How strange...

The fire gives off no heat.

Don't you feel...

a kind of ice-cold breeze?

Maybe there's an open window.

She fainted! Hurry! Something strong to drink!

Eleonora! Eleonora!

Answer me! It's me, Richard!

- Here you go. - N0, no, no, it's better not to.

I don't understand. This didn't happen for years.

What?

Eleonora has extra-sensorial powers.

The rifle!

Let's try not to be ridiculous. It's just a clock.

Yes, but it stroke 3 a.m., and it's only 11 p.m.

She's trying to say something.

Gmm?

- Yes. - You want to talk to Greta?

What do you want to say? What do you want to say?

- Sally? - Sally...!

You are Sally and you want to talk to Greta.

Go on, what do you want to say? Talk!

- Dead... - Dead?

You're dead?

You're dead...

- Greta. - Gmm?

- Greta will die. - So what?

- Everyone dies. - Especially the mediocre ones.

Soon...

- Soon... - Greta will die soon.

Sandro, come here. Help me.

Let's take her to her room.

Are you upset? This is just nonsense.

Don't be shocked.

This phenomenon actually exists, however.

There's a specific science dedicated to it: Parapsychology.

But nobody can explain what it's all about.

The spirits... the souls... The dead aren't involved at all.

The best thing to do is to leave them alone.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You're a brave girl.

I could even fall in love with you.

Go get some rest now.

Stay down and don't move.

Come here. There they are.

Be careful. Shoot as soon as I tell you to.

0K8)'-

Now! Shoot!

Well, after all, it's better if you stay on dry land.

You can get some nice shots from there too.

I'll pick you up later.

Go hide in the reeds.

Help! Help! Help...

Help! Help!

Help!

Help!

Help! Help!

N0! N0!

- Help! Help! - Take this!

I was informed about your phone call.

The butler told me you were hunting in San Zeno.

I thought I could join you and...

They wanted to kill me.

- What happened, exactly? - They wanted it to look like an accident.

They sabotaged my rifle and shot at me.

- I ran away and... - That's a very serious accusation.

Are you aware of that?

Of course.

Eleonora shot at me. Several times!

- From what distance? - I think 5O or 60 meters.

Maybe you're not aware that Ms. Eleonora is a formidable shooter.

She'd never miss an essentially immobile target from that distance.

Don't you think?

But why did you call me?

Do you know something about Sally Reece maybe?

- They buried her in the lagoon. - "They"? Who's that?

Richard Stuart.

I think so, at least. I don't know...

In the lagoon...

- And how do you know that? - He told me.

- A confession? - N0, he wrote it in his book.

No, actually he recorded it. He dictated it to the tape recorder.

It's too complicated to explain.

You're losing your nerves.

You better decide to leave this house.

That's exactly what they want.

I brought you something hot.

- This is for you, commissioner. - Thank you.

Here we are.

Take some drops of this.

It's a cardiotonic.

Drink.

It'll make you feel better.

Come on.

G0 ahead.

I'll call tomorrow.

I'm the only one to blame.

I confess.

I should be punished for what I did, commissioner.

Ms. Greta doesn't have a gun license...

but I've insisted for her to come with us...

Well, I hope you'll ignore this episode.

On the other hand, she didn't fire a single shot.

Yes, my rifle wouldn't shoot.

That's because every time you open the barrel...

the safety lock is automatically set...

and you have to remove it in order to shoot.

- Didn't you know that? - Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

A doctor will come.

Eleonora insisted on that. She's very worried about you.

So you've definitely decided? You're not coming?

Just imagine this: Two weeks at the Red Sea...

Nobody can drag Richard away from Venice and his job.

Too bad.

It'll be a fabulous underwater fishing trip.

And there will be many people you know. Old friends...

Well, I'd say you'll have fun on our behalf.

And you'll tell us everything as soon as you're back.

Isn't that true, Richard?

- Richard, I'm talking to you. - What?

I was telling Sandro...

Well, never mind.

- Have a nice trip, huh? - I'll bring you a present.

Thank you!

What was that cop doing in our house?

It's perfectly logical, my dear.

The painters paint, the engineers construct and the commissioners investigate.

Sally's disappearance?

You can't demand that nobody cares when a young girl disappears, don't you think?

- Is he suspecting us? - Probably.

It's an ordinary man, a fool without imagination.

What about your new secretary? Did you get that information from London?

- I preferred to forget about it. - Why?

I thought about it and realized it would be a bad move.

- What do you think is going to happen now? - Nothing, dear.

What are you worried about?

Come here, commissioner.

Now you're going to hear from Richard Stuart's voice...

how they made Sally's body disappear.

N0 name is mentioned, of course...

and the description of the locations is generic.

And why should he tell you this?

He understood why I came to this house...

and he plays with me like a cat plays with a mouse.

And then he could always say that it's only a novel...

and every reference to living or dead people is merely unintentional.

He erased everything!

I swear...

Wait a minute. There's a typewritten copy.

Has it disappeared too?

Yes.

You don't believe me, right? You think I'm delusional.

I need evidence.

Mr. Stuart is on the phone.

Did he call?

- Hello? - Hi, Greta.

Listen, have you typed the new chapter already?

- The new chapter? - What's wrong?

Didn't you find it, maybe?

I've recorded it tonight with the tape recorder.

I haven't found anything.

Now I understand.

I didn't put the tape in the usual place.

Check the small glass showcase in the library.

Come on, check it.

Yes, everything's there.

Yesterday evening I wanted to listen to it again and then placed it in the library.

I forgot to tell you.

- Can you type everything by this evening? - Yes, of course.

Okay, goodbye.

At first she ignored that the solutions of an enigma could be many.

Now she knew the facts but didn't understand the reasons.

In that house, her friend sunk into the most subtle depravations.

No one forced her. Of that she was sure.

How was this possible?

She was afraid to answer her own question...

afraid of the actions the other girl had already taken.

Just as if she could be enticed as well...

by a fascination that in her confusion she started to feel.

- Every day it becomes more likely. - What?

That I will fall in love with you.

But what would Eleonora say?

Eleonora? My interest in her is pure admiration.

I'm fascinated by her ability...

of splitting into two personalities that are so different from each other.

I enjoy seeing her acting.

Lately she specialized in playing the role of the vulnerable woman...

looking for protection.

N0 one would suspect her cynicism and her cold-heartedness.

I admire her ability to play...

but I never loved her.

And why would you love me?

Because everything about you is honest.

After all, I appreciate the simplicity.

How did Sally die?

Who said she died?

I know it. I always knew it.

I want to know the truth.

It was an accident.

Last winter.

I was in town, in Venice, with my publisher Stafford...

who had come here from London.

Eleonora and Sally were home alone.

I called them to tell them I'd come back late.

Near the villa lives that fisherman, Rocco.

Sometimes we'd give him jobs to do, also for helping him to earn some money.

Eleonora is always looking for new emotions.

She know no limits in her search for pleasure.

That evening she had the idea of inviting Rocco.

Take this, drink.

- You don't like it? - No, no, I like it.

You know, I was watching you while you were chopping wood.

You must be a very strong man, huh?

I've never met anyone as strong as you in my whole life.

Maybe you'd prefer some vodka.

I don't want to!

Eleonora!

Stop it!

You're hurting me!

Eleonora!

NoU.N0!No!

N0!

Leave her alone! Let go of her! I told you to leave her alone!

Let go of her!

N0!

N0!

N0!

N0!

N0!

N0! N0!

N0!

N0...!

N0! N0!

N0! N0!

He“? me!

N0!

N0!

When I went home, Rocco had run off.

Eleonora was still unconscious, and Sally...

I've always had the feeling that you weren't involved...

that you wanted to protect someone.

No, I bear my share of guilt as well...

but ifl had reported the deed...

it would have created a huge scandal which would have ruined me.

Sally's body had to disappear.

What's going on?

Greta, it's me, Richard.

Open the door, Greta. I need you.

Greta, please.

Good morning, commissioner. The fishermen found her.

They were casting their net and noticed something was entangled in it.

Doctor, do you think an identification is possible?

There's not much left. It's a 20/25-year-old woman.

I can tell you more after the autopsy.

But not much, I'm afraid. What's left of her is so incomplete.

- When did the death occur? - We'll verify that.

For now I can tell you that it dates back to four or five months ago.

Signora...

Today's newspaper.

THE BODY OF A YOUNG WOMAN FOUND IN THE LAGOON

The days will be long here without you.

I won't spend more than three days in London.

- I'd like to kiss you. - That's not possible, Richard.

I know. Our friend there is observing us.

What punctuality...

And how quickly he came after your call.

I will convince him, you'll see. I'm sure of it.

- I'll be thinking of you... - All aboard now!

Every moment, day and night.

All aboard!

- Good morning, miss. - Good morning, commissioner.

Why did you call me? Are there any news?

N0, no, I wanted to tell you that I realized I was wrong.

Everything I told you was like a novel...

- my imagination, and nothing more. - What made you change your mind?

Your words, commissioner. As you said, I lost my nerves.

My suspicions and doubts were ridiculous and absurd.

- I'm aware of that now. - Be careful.

You're playing a much too dangerous game.

We found the body of a woman in the lagoon.

Sally...

The coroner's working on the identification.

We'll know soon.

Miss, could you please tell me when the 9:30 train will arrive in London?

Pardon?

Thank you.

Yes?

Greta, could you please come into the sitting room for a moment?

- Yes. Why? What is it? - Nothing. Just come, please.

Eleonora!

I thought you were with someone.

Of course there's someone here.

An old friend.

Come here. I want to introduce him to you.

This is Rocco, the strongest man in the world...

the most masculine man I've ever met in my whole life.

And this Greta.

Let's play a record.

This house has been too boring recently.

Come on.

Drink something. G0 ahead.

Rocco is the perfect mate.

He has no inhibitions or complexes.

He's an experience you mustn't miss.

You like her? She's a stunning girl.

Look at her skin, soft as velvet.

Her hair's like silk.

You like her, don't you?

Look at her.

She's yours.

Take her, Rocco!

Take her!

Richard!

In my story about Sally's death there was a small inaccuracy:

That day, I was in this room too.

What does that mean?

They found a body in the lagoon. It's in every newspaper.

If they identify Sally you'd become a crucial witness.

You know too much.

It's been me who told you them, that's true.

It was a dangerous game, but it amused me.

Telling you the truth little by little without giving you the evidence...

leaving you groping in the dark.

Of course I didn't think they would find her.

Now everything has changed.

- What do you mean? - That you're going to die.

Just like that stupid butler who wanted to blackmail us.

You're crazy! All evidence incriminates you! You'll get caught!

How so? I constructed the perfect alibi!

I'm in London now. Your commissioner friend saw me leaving.

You called him at the station!

Richard and I can't be held responsible for the actions of a beast.

The police will come to a very simple conclusion:

Rocco tried to rape you...

the butler came to help you...

Rocco lost his head killed him with his knife...

- and then killed you too. - No! No!

N0! N0!

N0! N0!

Go, Rocco, she's yours. Take her! Take her!

Come on!

N0! N0!

N0!

- They'll find the body in Rocco's cabin. - No! No!

A psychiatric evaluation and they will file everything...

including Sally Reece's case.

It's perfectly logic.

N0! N0!

N0!

The perfect crime is possible for a superior mind.

What's wrong with you?

Why did you stop?

Obey!

You just have to obey! Kill her!

You damn idiot, come on, kill her!

Kill her!

Why won't you obey?

Eleonora! Eleonora!

- I... - Forget this terrible adventure.

- It won't be easy. - I know.

I've visited that fisherman, Rocco...

in the mental institution he's locked in now.

- He even asked about you. - ls there anything we can do for him?

Unfortunately not.

- Take it. - Thanks.

I'll get something for you.

- A box of chocolates, please. - Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The body we found in the lagoon wasn't Sally Reece!

It was a Venetian girl.

She killed herself out of love!