No, the Case Is Happily Resolved 1973

Hears a scream during fishing and football game

Fabio Santamaria is fishing and listening to a football broadcast when he hears a woman's scream nearby. He approaches the source and discovers a man violently beating a woman to death. He is shocked and unsettled, and this moment marks the start of the ordeal.

Witnesses the murder and flees the scene

Fabio witnesses the fatal attack and realises the severity of the crime. The killer departs, and Fabio bolts away in fear, unsure of what to do next.

Attempts to report but heads home

On his way home, Fabio considers going to a police station to report what he saw but cannot bring himself to act. Overwhelmed by fear, he continues toward his home instead.

Reads that the murderer has named Fabio

The next day, Fabio learns from a newspaper that the murderer—a distinguished professor—has gone to the police and described Fabio as the killer. This revelation heightens his fear and complicates any potential report.

Begins cover-up: buys new sunglasses

To avoid identification, Fabio buys a new pair of sunglasses to replace the ones he lost during the flight from the crime. The decision underscores his panic and the lengths he will go to erase any link to the crime.

Discards clothing linked to the crime

He throws away his flannel shirt and boots, trying to eliminate items that could connect him to what happened. The act shows a growing, desperate effort to sever any physical link to the murder.

Shaves off his mustache

Fabio shaves off his mustache, removing a distinguishing facial feature. This change reduces the likelihood of recognition by witnesses or investigators.

Repaints his car

He repaints his car to erase any identifying marks or fingerprints that could tie him to the crime. The effort demonstrates how far he will go to protect himself from suspicion.

A priest convinces him to tell the truth

A priest visits and persuades Fabio that he must come forward with what he knows. The priest's counsel plants the seed of confession and accountability in Fabio's mind.

Fabio confesses to the police

Reluctantly, Fabio finally tells the police what he knows. Investigators later find his sunglasses and his fingerprints, which heighten the case against the professor and complicate Fabio's position.

Don Peppino confronts Professor (original ending)

In the original ending, the reporter Don Peppino confronts Professor Ranieri in the wake of the case. The professor responds by driving away, leaving the confrontation unresolved and the truth uncertain.

Professor's suicide (reshot ending) and clearance for Fabio

In the reshot ending, Don Peppino's confrontation triggers Ranieri to kill himself. A suicide note later clears Fabio of the crime, reframing the story's resolution.