Five Moons Plaza (2003) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A retired prosecutor's investigation into an old kidnapping film exposes a conspiracy and betrayal surrounding the search for historical truth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Film Reopens History

Sarracino receives an old Super 8 film containing footage of Moro's kidnapping. He shares the discovery with Fernanda and Branco, beginning a dangerous reconstruction of the event.

Key Events

• Retirement Approaches — Sarracino, Siena's judge and chief prosecutor, is preparing to retire. Characters: Rosario Sarracino Location: Siena
• The Super 8 Film — Sarracino receives an old Super 8 film recorded years earlier. Characters: Rosario Sarracino Location: Siena
• Kidnapping Footage Revealed — The film contains footage of Moro's kidnapping in via Fani in April 1978. Characters: Rosario Sarracino Location: Siena
• Secret Shared — Sarracino reveals the film's secret to Fernanda and Branco. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Siena
• Kidnapping Reconstructed — The three investigators passionately reconstruct the phases of the kidnapping. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Siena

A Face In The Footage

Branco spots a raincoated figure in the assault footage, and Sarracino enlarges the images in Milan. The recognized identity connects the kidnapping to clandestine intelligence structures.

Key Events

• Kidnapping Reconstructed — The three investigators passionately reconstruct the phases of the kidnapping. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Siena
• Raincoat Figure Spotted — Branco notices a raincoated gentleman in the assault footage. Characters: Branco, Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda Location: Via Fani
• Images Enlarged — Sarracino has the images enlarged to identify the man's face. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Branco, Fernanda Location: Milan
• Hidden Identity Recognized — Sarracino recognizes the raincoated man as a SISMI colonel linked to Operation Gladio. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Milan
• Investigation Reopened — The three begin a new investigation twenty-five years after Moro's murder. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Siena

The Conspiracy Widens

The investigators reopen the case twenty-five years after the murder. Fernanda examines the via Gradoli hideout while anomalies surrounding the committees and secret services emerge.

Key Events

• Investigation Reopened — The three begin a new investigation twenty-five years after Moro's murder. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Siena
• Via Gradoli Investigated — Fernanda conducts new investigations focused on the Red Brigades' hideout. Characters: Fernanda, Rosario Sarracino, Branco Location: Via Gradoli
• Committee Anomalies Found — Anomalies emerge concerning three committees established by Cossiga. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Rome
• Secret Service Links — The committees appear connected to P2 and American secret services. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Fernanda, Branco Location: Rome
• Children Disappear — Fernanda's children disappear during the investigation. Characters: Fernanda, Branco Location: Unspecified location

Private Losses And Threats

Fernanda's children disappear and are brought home by Branco, but the danger escalates when Francesco dies in a suspicious accident. Sarracino and Branco then survive a toxic gas attack.

Key Events

• Children Disappear — Fernanda's children disappear during the investigation. Characters: Fernanda, Branco Location: Unspecified location
• Children Brought Home — Branco brings Fernanda's children home after their disappearance. Characters: Branco, Fernanda Location: Unspecified location
• Suspicious Accident — Francesco dies in an accident in which Fernanda's children are also involved. Characters: Fernanda, Francesco Doni Location: Road
• Funeral Mourning — Fernanda attends her husband's funeral after the suspicious accident. Characters: Fernanda Location: Funeral site
• Toxic Gas Attack — An aircraft releases toxic gas over Sarracino's car while Branco is with him. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Branco Location: Car

The Bodyguard Unmasked

A call sends Sarracino to Piazza delle Cinque Lune, where he finds Branco inside the Immobiliare Domino office. He realizes that his bodyguard has spied on the inquiry and intends to seize its documents.

Key Events

• Toxic Gas Attack — An aircraft releases toxic gas over Sarracino's car while Branco is with him. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Branco Location: Car
• Attack Escaped — Sarracino and Branco escape the toxic gas attack. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Branco Location: Road
• Summoned To Rome — After a call from the chief prosecutor, Sarracino travels to Rome for an appointment. Characters: Rosario Sarracino Location: Piazza delle Cinque Lune
• Domino Office Confrontation — Sarracino finds Branco with others and realizes that his bodyguard has betrayed the investigation. Characters: Rosario Sarracino, Branco Location: Immobiliare Domino office
• Rome Spider Web — The final image expands from the piazza to Rome's streets, forming a white spider web. Characters: Rosario Sarracino Location: Piazza delle Cinque Lune and Rome

Story Breakdown

• Retirement And Discovery — Sarracino's expected retirement is disrupted by a film containing forbidden historical footage.
  • The Super 8 Film — Sarracino receives an old film that records the kidnapping in via Fani.
  • The Secret Revealed — He shares the discovery with Fernanda and Branco.
• Reconstructing The Kidnapping — The three investigators study the footage and search for overlooked evidence.
  • Raincoat Figure — Branco notices a suspicious gentleman in the assault footage.
  • Enlarged Images — Sarracino enlarges the images in Milan to identify the figure.
• The Intelligence Connection — The identified figure links the historical event to clandestine intelligence structures.
  • SISMI Recognition — Sarracino recognizes the figure as a SISMI colonel.
  • Operation Gladio — The recognition points toward the clandestine military operation.
• Investigating The Coverup — The renewed inquiry examines locations, committees, and apparent foreign connections.
  • Via Gradoli Search — Fernanda investigates the Red Brigades' hideout.
  • Committee Anomalies — The investigators find unusual links involving the three committees, P2, and American secret services.
• Threats Against Investigators — The search for truth is followed by attacks against Fernanda's family and Sarracino's safety.
  • Children Disappear — Fernanda's children vanish during the investigation.
  • Toxic Gas Attack — Sarracino and Branco survive an aircraft attack using toxic gas.
• Betrayal At Five Moons — The final meeting reveals that the apparent protector has been monitoring the investigation.
  • Francesco's Death — Fernanda's husband dies in a suspicious accident involving their children.
  • Branco Unmasked — Sarracino discovers Branco's betrayal at the Immobiliare Domino office.

Directed by

Renzo Martinelli

Key Cast

• Donald Sutherland — Rosario Sarracino
• Giancarlo Giannini — Branco
• Stefania Rocca — Fernanda
• F. Murray Abraham — Entita
• Aisha Cerami — Ombretta