I Guappi (1973)

In Naples at the end of the 19th century, Nicola Bellizzi, one of the many homeless street urchins who grew up on the streets, has made a name for himself as “Coppola Rossa” and ended up in a reform school. He decides to devote all his energies to studying to become a lawyer. He wants to stay out of trouble, but as soon as he arrives in his new neighborhood, he clashes with the local boss, Don Gaetano Frungillo, known as “Core ’e Fierro.” After a razor duel, interrupted by the arrival of the police just before blood is shed, Don Gaetano becomes convinced that Nicola is a man of worth and takes him under his protection, introducing him to the grand council of the Camorra, which inducts him as an honored picciotto. Thus, in order to pursue his ideal of justice, Nicola finds himself unwillingly bound to a life of crime. Police commissioner Aiossa, whose past is steeped in crime, has Lucia, Don Gaetano’s woman, arrested for a night and rapes her in her cell in an attempt to capture Don Gaetano, whom he believes responsible for the murder of Vincenzo ’o Pazzariello. Don Gaetano confronts Aiossa and falls into his trap. Accused of attempting to murder the policeman, Don Gaetano faces trial on the Camorra’s orders with the swagger of a guappo, ready to spend the rest of his days in prison. Meanwhile, with information provided by Gigino ’o Carognone—information needed because Don Gaetano refuses to talk even under torture—Aiossa has several Camorra bosses arrested as well. The trial begins, and conviction seems a foregone conclusion. But in court, thanks to Lucia’s crucial testimony, the newly qualified lawyer Nicola manages to get Don Gaetano acquitted, proving that he attacked Aiossa to avenge an affront to his honor, not on the Camorra’s orders. The charge is dropped and Aiossa is arrested for perjury, while all the defendants are cleared and ordered released. Once free, however, Don Gaetano breaks the strict rules of the “honored society” twice, sealing his fate. First, he takes the disgraced Lucia back, instead of repudiating her or even killing her. Then he refuses to kill his friend Nicola when Nicola gives shelter in his home to Gigino ’o Carognone, whom the Camorra has sentenced to death for getting some of its members sent to prison. Their friendship proves fatal to them both: Don Gaetano is killed in the street, while Nicola is killed in a courtroom by the very young street urchin he is defending.