What Is One Hundred Steps About?
The premise of One Hundred Steps in 313 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑baked hills of 1970s Sicily, a modest town stretches out from a grand mansion that dominates the landscape, its stone walls a reminder that the shadows of organized crime linger over every street and marketplace. The rhythm of daily life is punctuated by a mix of traditional celebrations and hushed conversations about influence, loyalty, and the invisible hand that guides the community’s fortunes. The atmosphere is at once warm and tense, a place where laughter and fear coexist under the same Mediterranean sky.
At the heart of this world stands Peppino Impastato, a sharp‑minded young man whose family is woven into the very fabric of the town’s power structures. Growing up barely a hundred steps from the imposing home of local Mafia boss Tano Badalamenti, he absorbs the contradictions of a community that reveres its elders while fearing the quiet coercion that steers them. His curiosity and wit set him apart, and the clash between his inherited ties and his emerging sense of justice fuels a restless drive to speak out.
Guided by an irreverent spirit, Peppino channels his frustration into a daring venture: a pirate radio station that blends satire, irony, and incisive political commentary. The broadcast becomes a vibrant thread that weaves through the town’s fabric, offering a fresh, critical voice that challenges the unspoken agreements that keep the status quo intact. Its humor cuts through the solemnity of everyday life, turning ordinary conversations into moments of daring reflection.
Around him, a cast of relatives, friends, and mentors—each carrying their own blend of hope, fear, and complicity—adds texture to the struggle. Their uneasy alliances and quiet support create a backdrop of communal tension that amplifies Peppino’s quest. The film’s tone balances gritty realism with a rebellious, almost lyrical optimism, inviting viewers to wonder how far a single, outspoken voice can travel when it dares to echo against entrenched power.
What Happens in One Hundred Steps?
The complete story of One Hundred Steps, from the first scene to the last, in 896 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 10 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Peppino Impastato, Luigi Lo Cascio, grows up in a tight-knit Sicilian family in Cinisi, where a warm, celebratory mood surrounds a gathering that he attends as a child. The film opens with him singing Nel blu, dipinto di blu in the back seat of a car with his brother, a moment that feels innocent and carefree. The story quickly anchors itself in the volatile reality around him as his uncle, Cesare Manzella, the local mafia boss, looms large over the town. The hopeful childhood is pierced by a brutal turn when Don Cesare is killed in a car bombing carried out by a rival mob, an act that abruptly pulls Peppino into the harsh world he will grow up to challenge. The loss marks the end of his innocence and plants the seed of a lifelong confrontation with the criminal power structure that frames Cinisi.
After Cesare’s funeral, Peppino seeks out Stefano Venuti, a local painter who is also a fervent Communist in Sicily. Andrea Tidona portrays Venuti, a man who initially refuses to paint Cesare and cannot fully explain his own political divide with the dead man. Yet Stefano eventually takes Peppino under his wing, channeling the boy’s stubborn energy into activism, and steering him toward a path with the Communist Party that will shape his future. The film then fast-forwards to Peppino’s early twenties, when he and his comrades mobilize to resist government plans to expropriate farmland for an airport. The protests land him in jail, from which his father helps secure his release, underscoring the family’s complicated ties to the town’s power dynamics.
As Peppino’s political voice grows louder, he returns with a newly fierce conviction. He delivers an article to a local propaganda newspaper under the headline that attacks Mafia corruption, a piece Stefano deems too radical to publish. This moment marks a rupture in his relationship with Venuti and signals a hardening resolve to expose the mafia’s grip on Cinisi. The clash within his circle deepens the rift with his family, especially as Peppino’s actions threaten the status quo they’ve long depended on.
To broaden his impact, Peppino helps launch a radio station called Radio Aut, a bold project dedicated to denouncing the Mafia and revealing the drug trade led by figures like Don Tano Badalamenti. The pressure from his father intensifies, pushing Peppino out of his home, while his mother secretly assists him—bringing books and shelter to keep his work alive. The family’s disconnect intensifies, and Luigi, Peppino’s father, travels to America to seek a different path for the family, hoping perhaps to pull Peppino back from the edge of rebellion. Luigi Maria Burruano embodies this conflicted parent who wrestles with pride, fear, and duty.
Shortly after Luigi’s return from abroad, he and Peppino converse about the mounting risks, a conversation that ends with a devastating tragedy: Luigi is struck by a car while walking home from his restaurant. Peppino’s response at his father’s funeral—refusing to acknowledge Mafia ties among those around him—speaks to his growing sense of isolation and danger. The movement for resistance begins to feel solitary, and Peppino doubts whether the people around him will stand firm against the Mafia’s coercive power.
Determined to take political action, Peppino runs for local office on a small leftist ticket while continuing his radical radio crusade. But the Mafia does not relent. They decide that removing him would simplify life in Cinisi, targeting him with brutal force. One night, as he stops at a railroad crossing, men close in, beat him, tie him to the tracks, and detonate TNT, erasing him from the streets he fought to change. When his friends rally to find him, they discover only bloodstains and a crime scene they know has been staged. The police, under pressure from the Mafia, classify the death first as terrorism and later as suicide, giving no immediate justice. At his funeral, however, the crowd’s outpouring is loud and clear, a testament to the broad reach of his anti-Mafia work and the lives he touched during a decade of relentless advocacy.
The murder of Peppino Impastato on May 9, 1978 becomes a closed chapter for too long until 1997, when the case is reopened and Gaetano Badalamenti is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the crime. The film thus traces not only a personal tragedy but also the long arc of pursuit for truth and accountability in a town accustomed to looking the other way, and it elevates the names of those who stood with him—from family to fellow activists—to a lasting record of resistance.
Throughout this portrayal, the film interweaves a broad cast of figures connected to Peppino’s life and work: Paolo Briguglia as Giovanni Impastato, Lucia Sardo as Felicia Impastato, Domenico Centamore as Vito, Gaspare Cucinella as Zù Gasparo, Dario Veca as Paolino Schillirò, Luigi Billeci as Giovani Bambino, and Paola Pace as Cosima, all of whom populate the world that shaped Peppino’s choices and the risks he faced in his stand against organized crime. The film preserves the memory of a man who believed deeply in the possibility of a different Sicily, even as the forces of power sought to bury his voice. It remains, at its core, a chronicle of courage, consequence, and the stubborn belief that speaking truth to power can alter a community’s fate.
La Mafia è una montagna di merda
One Hundred Steps Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Childhood car ride to a family gathering” to “Justice comes decades later”. 14 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Childhood car ride to a family gathering
The film opens with Peppino as a young child singing Nel blu, dipinto di blu in the back seat with his brother on the way to a family gathering. The scene establishes a warm, close-knit family life and a sense of pride in their standing within the community. Cinisi, Sicily serves as the backdrop for this early innocence.
When:early childhood Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 2
Don Cesare is killed by a car bomb
Soon after the gathering, Don Cesare Manzella is killed by a car bomb planted by a rival Mafia boss. The assassination shatters Peppino's innocence and makes clear the brutal reach of organized crime in his town. This event plants the seed for his later anti-Mafia activism.
When:soon after the family gathering Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 3
Peppino meets Stefano Venuti and begins a political awakening
After Cesare's funeral, Peppino seeks out Stefano Venuti, a local painter who is an outspoken Communist in Sicily. Stefano refuses to paint Cesare’s portrait but takes Peppino under his wing, guiding him toward political activism. The uneasy mentor-mentee relationship foreshadows the clash between art, politics, and crime.
When:shortly after funeral Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 4
Peppino protests expropriation in his early 20s
In his early 20s, Peppino protests with his Communist comrades against the government's expropriation of farmland to build an airport. The protests land him in the local jail, from which he is bailed out by his father. The episode marks a transition from street action to organized political resistance.
When:early 20s Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 5
A controversial article deepens the rift with Stefano
Peppino delivers a fierce article to a local propaganda outlet titled La Mafia è una montagna di merda. Stefano deems the piece too extreme and dangerous to publish, causing a decisive rift between the two men. The disagreement pushes Peppino further down a path of uncompromising anti-Mafia campaigning.
When:after protest Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 6
Family tensions escalate and push Peppino away
The fallout from the article strains Peppino's relationship with his father and the family becomes a site of conflict. Arguments intensify as Peppino's activism clashes with family expectations. He grows more isolated in his mission to expose corruption.
When:post-article Where:Peppino's family home, Cinisi
- 7
Radio Aut is born to fight the Mafia
Peppino and friends launch Radio Aut, a radio station that condemns the Mafia and exposes Don Tano's drug trade. The medium becomes a powerful vehicle for their message, but it also escalates pressure on the family’s reputation. Their anti-Mafia crusade moves from the streets to the airwaves.
When:post-break with Stefano Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 8
Mother shields him as the conflict peaks
Peppino's mother shelters him and keeps him supplied with books, while his father presses him to stop. The tension culminates in Peppino being kicked out of the family home. The home becomes a battleground between loyalty and the call to resist.
When:during Radio Aut start Where:Family home, Cinisi
- 9
Luigi returns from America and tragedy follows
Luigi, Peppino's father, returns from America after learning about potential opportunities and talks with Peppino about expanding their activism abroad. Soon afterward, Luigi is struck and killed by a car on his walk home from his restaurant. Peppino attends the funeral with a deliberate refusal to acknowledge his father's Mafia connections.
When:after returning from America Where:Cinisi, Sicily / America
- 10
Peppino runs for local office
Peppino refuses to accept the Mafia's hold on his life and decides to run for a local office with a small leftist party, continuing his radio crusade. He grows more determined that he is not alone in resisting the corrupt system, even as he doubts the broader community's commitment. This marks a formal entry into electoral politics as part of his activism.
When:post-funeral Where:Cinisi, Sicily
Show the other 4 events of One Hundred Steps Hide the last 4 events
- 11
The Mafia executes a brutal killing to silence him
The Mafia opts for a final solution and ambushes Peppino by beating him, pulling him from his car at a railroad crossing, and tying him to the tracks with TNT. The murder demonstrates the brutal lengths to which they will go to silence dissent. Peppino's friends begin to realize something is terribly wrong.
When:May 9, 1978 Where:Railroad crossing near Cinisi
- 12
Investigation and misdirection follow the killing
When Peppino's friends search for him, the authorities dismiss the incident as terrorism, later labeling it a suicide due to Mafia influence. Public outrage grows, while his funeral becomes a demonstration of solidarity and a testament to his impact on the anti-Mafia movement. The case underscores the corruption surrounding the pursuit of justice.
When:immediate aftermath Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 13
A funeral that galvanizes a community
At Peppino's funeral, thousands rally to honor his anti-Mafia work and local activists remember his ten years of influence. The public outpouring confirms that his message lived on even after his violent death. The scene cements his legacy in Cinisi and beyond.
When:funeral day Where:Cinisi, Sicily
- 14
Justice comes decades later
The case remains unresolved for years until 1997, when it is reopened and Gaetano Badalamenti is convicted of Peppino Impastato's murder. The conviction provides a long-awaited sense of justice for his supporters and vindication of his cause. The film closes by acknowledging this late accountability and its impact on memory.
When:1997 Where:Italy
Who Are the Main Characters in One Hundred Steps?
5 characters, among them Peppino Impastato (Luigi Lo Cascio), Stefano Venuti (Andrea Tidona) and Cesare Manzella (Pippo Montalbano): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- PI
Peppino Impastato (Luigi Lo Cascio)
Played by Luigi Lo Cascio
Peppino grows from a stubborn, idealistic boy into a fearless anti-Mafia activist in Cinisi. He uses journalism, radio, and public protest to expose corruption and the drug trade connected to Don Tano Badalamenti. His radical stance strains his family ties and leads him to run for local office, culminating in his assassination by the Mafia.
- 🗳️ Activist
- 🧭 Idealist
- 🗞️ Journalist
- SV
Stefano Venuti (Andrea Tidona)
Played by Andrea Tidona
Stefano is a local painter and outspoken Communist who mentors Peppino after Cesare's death. He initially resists helping Peppino's cause but ultimately guides his political awakening. He clashes with Peppino over the extremes of his critique and distances himself when methods become too dangerous.
- 🗺️ Mentor
- 🪧 Communist
- 🎨 Artist
- CM
Cesare Manzella (Pippo Montalbano)
Played by Pippo Montalbano
Cesare Manzella is the powerful Mafia boss of Cinisi whose influence dominates the town. He represents the corrupt order that Peppino fights against. His murder by a rival car bombing marks a turning point in the story and highlights the reach of organized crime.
- 🗡️ Mafia Boss
- 💼 Power
- 👪 Family ties
- FI
Felicia Impastato (Lucia Sardo)
Played by Lucia Sardo
Felicia is Peppino's mother, a supportive presence who keeps the family together and shelters Peppino from his father's pressure. She remains vigilant and caring as her son pursues anti-Mafia work. Her loyalty to her family contrasts with the dangers that dissent incurs in a Mafia-dominated town.
- 💖 Family matriarch
- 🕊️ Support
- 🗣️ Voice of reason
- LI
Luigi Impastato (Luigi Maria Burruano)
Played by Luigi Maria Burruano
Luigi is Peppino's father, a man whose social circle includes Mafia allies. He grapples with protecting his son while under pressure from criminals to stop the activism. His decision to travel to America reflects the family's attempt to escape the conflict, and the tensions within the household intensify as the struggle continues.
- 🧭 Father
- 💼 Family duty
- 🪧 Political tension
Where and When Is One Hundred Steps Set?
One Hundred Steps is set in Cinisi, Sicily and Italy (Mid-20th century to the late 1970s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Mid-20th century to the late 1970s
The story spans decades of postwar Sicily, tracing Peppino’s childhood through his rise as an anti-Mafia activist and culminating in his 1978 assassination. It places these events against a backdrop of political tension, corruption, and social change in southern Italy. The period reflects a time when organized crime wielded significant influence over politics and everyday life in Sicily.
Where
Cinisi, Sicily, Italy
The film is set in Cinisi, a small Sicilian town whose close-knit community frames much of the story. Its atmosphere reflects a place where family ties and local power intersect with organized crime. The Cinisi setting provides the backdrop for Peppino's awakening and the community's response to mafia violence.
- 🏘️ Small town
- 🗺️ Sicilian setting
What Are the Themes of One Hundred Steps?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Political Activism, Free Press and Family vs Ideology.
-
01
Political Activism
Peppino's transformation from a curious child into a committed political activist anchors the narrative. He uses political organizing, street protests, and party engagement to challenge mafia rule. The film shows the personal costs of dissent in a town where fear and complicity run deep. It highlights the power and dangers of civic engagement in a mafia-influenced society.
-
02
Free Press
Radio Aut becomes the tool to broadcast truth and expose corruption. The effort to publish critical material meets resistance from authorities and powerful interests. The theme underscores the risks journalists face when documenting crime and how information can mobilize public opinion. It demonstrates the role of media in confronting the status quo, even at great personal cost.
-
03
Family vs Ideology
Peppino’s anti-Mafia stance strains family loyalties and personal relationships. His father and relatives uphold traditional power structures, creating a clash between kinship and moral conviction. The film examines how devotion to family can both support resistance and hinder justice. The tragedy underscores the costs of dissent in a tightly knit community.
What Kind of Film Is One Hundred Steps?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A tense and defiant drama chronicling a lone activist's dangerous crusade against the Sicilian Mafia, creating an atmosphere of constant threat and tragic sacrifice within a climate of fear.
- tense
- oppressive
- defiant
- gritty
- tragic
- somber
- political activism
- organized crime
- corruption
- courage under fire
Content notes: murder, car bombing, physical assault, political violence, torture (implied), corruption.
Quiz
How well do you remember One Hundred Steps? Test yourself on the story.
