The film examines Giulio Andreotti's political survival amid violence, failed ambition, scandal, allegations, and trial.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A Survivor Among the Dead
Giulio Andreotti's inner monologue introduces his political longevity. A montage of murders establishes the dangerous world surrounding his career.
Key Events
Survival Monologue — Giulio Andreotti reflects on surviving a turbulent political career while his detractors have died. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified interior
Political Career Retrospective — The opening establishes Andreotti's long political survival and continuing prominence. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italian political arena
Murder Montage Begins — A montage presents murders involving people connected to Andreotti's political world. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Various locations
Journalist Murder — The montage includes the murder of a journalist connected to Andreotti. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified location
General Murder — The montage includes the murder of a Carabinieri general connected to the political story. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified location
Bankers Murdered — The opening montage includes the deaths of two bankers associated with the wider narrative. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified locations
The Seventh Mandate
The story turns to Andreotti's seventh election as Prime Minister in 1992. His continuing political power is placed alongside the violent history introduced earlier.
Key Events
Bankers Murdered — The opening montage includes the deaths of two bankers associated with the wider narrative. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified locations
Former Premier Murdered — The montage also presents the murder of a former Italian Prime Minister. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified location
Seventh Election Approaches — The narrative moves to Andreotti's seventh election as Prime Minister in 1992. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Seventh Election — Andreotti's seventh election forms a central political milestone in the film. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italian political arena
Presidential Bid — Andreotti seeks the presidency of the Italian Republic. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Presidential Bid Fails — Andreotti's bid for the presidency of the Italian Republic fails. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italian political arena
A Presidency Lost
Andreotti attempts to become President of the Italian Republic but fails. The setback increases the sense of political uncertainty around him.
Key Events
Presidential Bid Fails — Andreotti's bid for the presidency of the Italian Republic fails. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italian political arena
Political Pressure Builds — The failed presidential bid deepens the film's focus on political vulnerability and survival. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Bribery Scandal Emerges — The Tangentopoli bribery scandal becomes a major part of the political narrative. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Scandal Intensifies — The bribery scandal increases pressure around Andreotti's political position. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italian political arena
Alleged Mafia Ties — The film foregrounds allegations that Andreotti maintained ties to the Mafia. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Scandal and Allegations
The Tangentopoli bribery scandal becomes central to the narrative. Allegations of Mafia ties further challenge Andreotti's political image.
Key Events
Alleged Mafia Ties — The film foregrounds allegations that Andreotti maintained ties to the Mafia. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Trial Announced — The narrative advances toward Andreotti's trial in 1995. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Trial Begins — Andreotti faces the 1995 trial connected to the film's political allegations. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Courtroom
Political Legacy Examined — The trial places Andreotti's political survival and alleged connections under scrutiny. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Courtroom
The 1995 Trial
Andreotti faces a 1995 trial connected to the film's allegations. The closing perspective returns to his survival and enduring political enigma.
Key Events
Political Legacy Examined — The trial places Andreotti's political survival and alleged connections under scrutiny. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Courtroom
Survival Reconsidered — The film returns to the contrast between Andreotti's survival and the deaths surrounding his career. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Unspecified interior
Enduring Political Enigma — The narrative concludes with Andreotti remaining the central figure of an unresolved political enigma. Characters: Giulio AndreottiLocation: Italy
Story Breakdown
Survival Introduction — Andreotti presents himself as a survivor of political turmoil while the opening establishes the deaths surrounding his career.
Inner Monologue — Andreotti reflects on how he has survived while his detractors have died.
Murder Montage — The film shows a montage of murders involving people connected to Andreotti.
Political Longevity — The narrative emphasizes Andreotti's continued importance within Italian politics.
Seven Premierships — Andreotti is established as a seven-time Prime Minister of Italy.
1992 Election — The story covers Andreotti's seventh election as Prime Minister in 1992.
Presidential Ambition — Andreotti seeks a higher constitutional office but cannot achieve the presidency.
Republic Presidency — Andreotti makes a bid for the presidency of the Italian Republic.
Failed Bid — His presidential attempt fails, creating a major political setback.
Bribery Scandal — Tangentopoli brings corruption allegations into the center of the political narrative.
Tangentopoli Emerges — The film covers the Tangentopoli bribery scandal.
Pressure Intensifies — The scandal increases pressure on Andreotti's political position.
Mafia Allegations — Andreotti's alleged ties to the Mafia shape the film's central ambiguity.
Alleged Connections — The film presents Andreotti as notorious for alleged Mafia ties.
Political Enigma — His survival contrasts with the violent deaths associated with his political world.
Trial And Reckoning — The 1995 trial subjects Andreotti's political history and allegations to formal scrutiny.
1995 Proceedings — Andreotti faces a trial in 1995.
Unresolved Legacy — The closing perspective preserves the enigma of Andreotti's survival and legacy.
Italy, early '90s. Calm, clever and inscrutable, politician Giulio Andreotti has been synonymous with power for decades. He has survived everything: electoral battles, terrorist massacres, loss of friends, slanderous accusations; but now certain repentant mobsters implicate him in the crimes of Cosa Nostra.
