Character Relationship Map: The Professor

Characters

• 'O Professore di Vesuviano (played by Ben Gazzara) — protagonist

  Franco becomes known in Poggioreale prison as 'O Professore di Vesuviano, a powerful, feared, and respected Camorra leader. With Alfredo Canale and Gaetano Zarra, he creates the Camorra Riformata, exp...

• Rosaria (played by Laura del Sol) — protagonist

  Rosaria is Franco’s sister. Her harassment triggers Franco’s first killing when he murders a boy who targeted her. Later, she tries to limit the damage caused by the collapse of her brother’s organiza...

• Ciro Perrella (played by Luciano Bartoli) — supporting

  Ciro is a trusted man in the Professor’s organization who eventually sells out to politicians. After this betrayal, the organization kills him by blowing up his car, making his fate one of the violent...

• Secret Service Man (played by Terenzio Cordova) — minor

  A secret-service operative is involved in the aftermath of the assessor’s kidnapping. After the Professor helps secure the assessor’s release, the man is taken into custody by the secret services rath...

• Alfredo Canale (played by Nicola Di Pinto) — supporting

  Alfredo Canale is one of the Professor’s close associates and helps him establish the Camorra Riformata inside Poggioreale prison. Together with the Professor and Gaetano Zarra, he belongs to the core...

• 'O Professore's Father (played by Biagio Pelligra) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• 'O Professore's Father → 'O Professore di Vesuviano (father)
• 'O Professore di Vesuviano → Ciro Perrella (Professional Leader And Trusted Subordinate) — Ciro's betrayal marks the Professor's declining control over his organization.

  The plot describes Ciro as a trusted man in the Professor's organization and says the organization kills him after he sells out to politicians.

• 'O Professore di Vesuviano → Rosaria (Family Brother) — Franco's protective response to his sister is the catalyst for his imprisonment.

  The plot identifies Rosaria as Franco's sister and says that a boy's harassment of her leads Franco to kill him.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Rosaria → Ciro Perrella (Conflict Opposing Interests) — Their positions diverge during Rosaria's unsuccessful attempt to contain the organization's collapse.

  The plot says Rosaria tries to counter the damage caused by the defection of the Professor's trusted men, while Ciro is identified as a trusted man wh...

• 'O Professore di Vesuviano → Secret Service Man (Narrative Political Intermediary) — The operative represents the covert state presence surrounding the kidnapping deal.

  After the Professor helps secure the assessor's release, the assessor is taken into custody by the secret services rather than the police; the charact...

• 'O Professore di Vesuviano → Alfredo Canale (Alliance Co-founder) — Canale is part of the Professor's founding circle and helps build the organization.

  The plot says the Professor creates the Camorra Riformata with Alfredo Canale and Gaetano Zarra while in prison.

Story Analysis

Franco rises from a prison inmate to a powerful Camorra leader, but political betrayal and the disintegration of his organization leave him imprisoned and mentally broken.

Plot Progression

1. A Killing and a Prison Identity — Franco kills the boy who harassed Rosaria and is imprisoned. During his years in Poggioreale, he becomes a feared and respected figure.
2. The Camorra Riformata Rises — The Professor and associates establish an organization inside prison, running it from his cell as its influence spreads. Its conflict with older Camorra families begins a bloody war.
3. Earthquake and Political Bargain — The 1980 earthquake and competition for reconstruction funds intensify the ongoing conflict. After the assessor's kidnapping, politicians ask the Professor to intervene and promise him freedom and ran...
4. Broken Promises and Collapse — The assessor is released but taken into secret-service custody, while the promised arrangement does not protect the Professor. His transfer to Asinara coincides with defections, Rosaria's failed effor...