Watch Il giorno della civetta

Il giorno della civetta is a 1968 Italian crime drama film, directed by Damiano Damiani and based on the novel of the same name by Leonardo Sciascia. The film is set in the small town of Aci Trezza, in Sicily, Italy. The storyline of the movie revolves around the murder of a businessman and the subsequent investigation. The victim, Salvatore Colasberna, was a contractor and a member of the powerful Sicilian Mafia. His murder shocks the small town, and the local police, led by Captain Bellodi (Franco Nero), are brought in to investigate the case.

Bellodi is an outsider, and unlike most of the other officials in the town, he is not corrupt. He is honest, dedicated and determined to uncover the truth no matter how difficult it may be. Bellodi quickly realizes that the town's residents are living in fear of the Mafia, and nobody is willing to come forward and speak the truth. However, with the help of a few courageous individuals, Bellodi starts to investigate the case.

The investigation leads Bellodi to Don Mariano Arena (Lee J. Cobb), a powerful and influential figure in the town who is believed to be the head of the Mafia. However, Arena is a clever and shrewd man, who has powerful political connections, and he tries to use his influence to stop Bellodi from investigating him and his associates. Despite the pressure, Bellodi remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice, and he uncovers a web of corruption, conspiracies, and deception that leads to an explosive conclusion.

Il giorno della civetta is a well-directed and well-acted film that captures the atmosphere and the culture of Sicily in the 1960s. The film's cinematography is excellent, and it showcases the beautiful and picturesque landscape of the region. The performances of the lead actors are outstanding, and they bring their characters to life with great skill and authenticity.

Claudia Cardinale, who plays Rosa Nicolosi, the wife of an innocent man who is wrongly accused of the murder, delivers an emotive performance that captures the suffocating fear and anxiety of living under the shadow of the Mafia. Franco Nero, as Captain Bellodi, portrays a courageous and determined police officer who is a symbol of hope and justice in a corrupt and oppressive society. Lee J. Cobb, as Don Mariano Arena, is brilliant in his portrayal of a cunning and ruthless Mafia leader who will go to any extent to maintain his power and influence.

Overall, Il giorno della civetta is a gripping and engaging crime drama that explores the complex and dangerous world of the Sicilian Mafia. The film is a commentary on the state of Italy's social and political environment in the 1960s and raises important questions about the power dynamics and corruption that exist in society. Despite being made more than 50 years ago, the film remains relevant and poignant today, as it offers a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of seeking justice and upholding the rule of law.