The Day of the Owl (1968)

In the heart of Sicily in 1961, an enigmatic tale of deception and silence unfolds. The Day of the Owl, a stirring adaptation of Leonardo Sciascia's novel, plunges us into the shadowy world of Mafia influence. The story begins with the chilling murder of Salvatore Colasbena, a construction supplier who dared to defy the unwritten laws of the Mafia by rejecting their control over road building. His death is a grotesque spectacle, his body buried under a cold blanket of tar as a warning to those who might resist. The investigation is led by the principled northern police officer, Captain Bellodi. He arrives in the small Sicilian town, a stranger to its secrets and hidden loyalties. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds himself entangled in an intricate web of lies and treachery. His main suspect is the formidable Mafia boss, Don Mariano Arena, but evidence is scarce and witnesses are even scarcer. The town's inhabitants, trapped in a culture of fear, remain silent, their lips sealed by the unspoken threat of the Mafia's wrath. Rosa Nicolosi, initially introduced as Salvatore's widow, emerges as a pivotal character. She is revealed to be married to Paolo Nicolosi, the only person who witnessed Salvatore's brutal execution. On the same day of the murder, Paolo mysteriously vanishes, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex case. As the relentless Captain Bellodi persists in his pursuit of truth, he stirs up a hornet's nest of corruption and danger. High-ranking figures, cloaked in respectability, have a vested interest in denying the Mafia's existence and will stop at nothing to obstruct the determined policeman. The film masterfully illuminates the pervasive grip the Mafia has on Sicilian society, infiltrating the police, the judiciary, politics, and even the sacred halls of the Catholic Church. The Day of the Owl is a riveting exploration of fear and silence, a poignant depiction of a society ensnared by the Mafia's iron grip. It's a tale that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, questioning everything they see and hear, as the line between truth and deception blurs, drowned out by the deafening silence of a town too afraid to speak.

The Day of the Owl is a crime movie featuring Franco Nero.

The Day of the Owl is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on ARROW.

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