Film Synopsis
A series of murders begins David's story - confused memories from when
he lived in Sicily, when he wasn't yet blind and belonged to the
Cortello clan which lorded over the territory. David departs, and
on the long train journey back to his roots he meets Father Leonard, an
African-American priest. They have a past and a present in
common, and on the train there is also a mysterious woman who plays a
part in the priest's past. The two men start to talk: Father
Leonard asks a lot of questions out of curiosity, but also because he
senses that the man seated opposite him has something weighing on his
mind that links the two together.
There is a series of recollections that go back a few years. David and
his friend Vito make a living from petty thievery until one day David
gets up the courage to present himself to Don Michele, the Cortello
family boss, who takes him in, along with his pal Vito. The
family recognises at once that Vito is very courageous, but most of all
capable of pulling a trigger, something David doesn't have the nerve to
do. In the meanwhile, something serious is happening not only in
Sicily but also on the other side of the ocean. Dan Mancino has
recently arrived in Agrigento, standing in for Don Federico, a
prominent member of an emigrant family in New York. Dan Mancino
is also crazy.
While the Cortello family is busy collecting protection money, even
murdering a recalcitrant baker, Dan Mancino watches and starts taking
over. When the Cortello family realises what is happening, it is too
late to call in other families, so a war breaks out. Dan Mancino
discovers that David is Federico's half brother, so without letting
anyone know, he convinces David to betray the Cortellos and come over
to Mancino's side. At this point, power in both Sicily and New York
rests in Don Federico's hands; David loses his eyesight in an accident
and flees to Rome, abandoning his half brother.
On the train, Father Leonard also tells David his own tale: before
becoming a priest, he was dealing with a certain Williams, whom he
kills one evening after the theatre; the woman on the train turns out
to be William's wife. The long journey comes to an end.
Father Leonard alights, David continues on, and while sleeping, has a
nightmare in which Don Michele kills him. While David is about to reach
his destination, we see on the other side of the ocean Don Federico,
who is leaving for Sicily.
© James Travers
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