The Bloodstained Butterfly 1971
Directed by
Duccio Tessari
Made by
Filmes Cinematografica
The Bloodstained Butterfly Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
On a rainy afternoon in a public park, a young Frenchwoman Françoise Pigaut meets a man in the drizzle, and what starts as a tense encounter quickly spirals into violence. The man gags her and stabs her to death with a switchblade, sending her tumbling down a hill where a little girl in a raincoat rushes off to fetch help. The scene sets a trail of fear and mystery that will pull several lives into its wake.
Alessandro Marchi, a TV sports host, is seen fleeing the scene and ends up arrested and taken to trial. The authorities quickly connect Françoise’s death to the man, and suspicion centers on Marchi as the possible assailant who groped Françoise—an assault that would have given her motive to threaten to report him. His daughter, Sarah Marchi, was a friend of Françoise, adding a personal edge to the case and intensifying the pressure on Marchi’s defense.
The case unfolds with courtroom drama as Marchi is convicted, and it’s revealed that his lawyer, Giulio Cordaro, deliberately held back a more aggressive defense in order to continue his affair with Marchi’s wife, Maria Maria Marchi. The revelation casts a new light on the trial and the choices that shaped its outcome, complicating the public perception of guilt and innocence.
Meanwhile, Giorgio(/actor/helmut-berger), a young pianist, enters the lives of Sarah and her circle, starting a relationship with her while also harboring personal discontent that he tries to drown in alcohol. The park becomes the scene of renewed horror as a prostitute is found murdered there, followed by a third slashing of a woman who is supervising two children. The killer’s methods echo Françoise’s death, but the police seem slow to connect the dots, even as a taunting caller to Inspector Berardi hints at a widening pattern of violence.
Back home, Maria discovers Giulio attempting to rape Sarah, and she promptly kicks him out, exposing deeper tensions within the Marchi household. A retrial brings Marta Marta Clerici into the narrative as Marchi’s supposed mistress; the court overturns his previous conviction and finds him innocent of Françoise’s murder, leading to his release and fueling a sense that the truth remains elusive.
With the retrial changing the public narrative, the investigation steers toward a new development: a store where the switchblades were purchased becomes a key clue, and the owner lists possible suspects. The case culminates in a confrontation in an abandoned building, where it’s revealed that Giorgio was the killer behind the final two murders, and that Françoise’s lover had a complex, hidden connection to the crime. As the police rush to intervene, Giorgio confesses that the last two killings were his, rooted in a belief that Marchi had murdered Françoise during their earlier encounter when Marchi fled the scene.
In a dramatic turn, Marchi ultimately confesses to Françoise’s murder, and Giorgio shoots him. When Giorgio checks for Marchi’s death, he is stabbed by Marchi, and, as Marchi attempts to escape, Giorgio shoots him dead. The confrontation ends with Giorgio dying from the stab wound, his final smile seeming to mock the fragile lines between guilt and vengeance, power and fate.
The Bloodstained Butterfly Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Françoise is murdered in the park
In the rain, Françoise Pigaut meets a man in a public park and is attacked. The man gags her and stabs her to death with a switchblade. She tumbles down a hill, and a little girl in a raincoat finds her and rushes to get help.
Marchi flees the scene and is arrested
Marchi is seen fleeing the park and is arrested, taken into custody. The motive is discussed in terms of a rumored past incident involving Françoise. The arrest marks the start of a high-profile trial.
Convicted amid motive of silencing
Françoise's death leads to Marchi's conviction, as the motive is presented as her threat to report him. It is implied he killed her to silence the accusation. Court proceedings begin to shape the narrative.
Cordaro's conflict surfaces
It is revealed that Giulio Cordaro, Marchi's lawyer, deliberately held back a more aggressive defense to protect his affair with Maria. The revelation hints at a compromised defense and a tainted trial. The consequence is that Marchi remains convicted, despite questions about the case.
Giorgio begins dating Sarah
Giorgio, a young pianist, starts dating Sarah, but remains distant from his family and buries his discontent in drinking. He projects a charming exterior that masks deeper tensions. The relationship introduces a key dynamic later connected to the murders.
Tension rises as Giorgio acts aggressively
The relationship grows strained when Giorgio behaves aggressively toward Sarah during a night together. His temper undercuts his charm and hints at a darker side. The incident foreshadows the unveiling of the killer.
Prostitute murdered in the park
A prostitute is found murdered in the same park, bearing hallmarks similar to Françoise's death. The killings suggest a serial threat operating in the park. Police begin to notice the pattern, though the parallels are not yet fully connected.
Killer taunts the inspector
A caller claiming to be the killer taunts Inspector Berardi, threatening to kill again. The intimidation heightens the tension around the case. Investigators scramble to decipher the caller's identity and motives.
Third woman slain in the park
Shortly after, a third woman is slashed to death in the same park after supervising two children. The spree escalates and deepens the mystery. Public fear grows as investigators chase elusive clues.
Giulio's attempted rape exposed
Maria returns home to find Giulio attempting to rape Sarah, and she kicks him out of the house. The personal betrayals intersect with the murder investigation, widening the circle of suspect and motive. The domestic upheaval pushes Marchi’s case into a new light.
Retrial overturns conviction
In a retrial, introducing Marchi's mistress Marta, Marchi is found innocent and released. The reversal exposes weaknesses in the prior proceedings. Doubt about the killer's identity grows.
Switchblade shop clue
The inspector visits the store where switchblades were bought, and the owner identifies the killer. The clue narrows the field and points toward the person connected to the park murders. The discovery shifts momentum toward solving the case.
Abandoned building confrontation
A meeting in an abandoned building reveals Giorgio as the killer and Françoise's lover. He confesses that he killed the last two women, while believing Marchi murdered Françoise. The final pieces of the puzzle start to fit together.
Final confrontation: Giorgio's plan collapses
Giorgio shoots Marchi after his confession; Marchi stabs Giorgio as he tries to flee. In a final reversal, Giorgio shoots Marchi dead, dying with a smile at his completed plan. The duel ends the killer's game and confirms Giorgio's role in the murders.
The Bloodstained Butterfly Characters
Explore all characters from The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Françoise Pigaut (Carole André)
A young French woman whose murder in the park triggers the investigation and a high-profile trial. Her alleged threat to report Marchi provides a motive that drives initial suspicions. Her death casts a shadow over the lives involved, fueling a web of rumors and legal maneuvers.
Alessandro Marchi (Giancarlo Sbragia)
A TV sports host who is arrested for Françoise's murder and later subjected to a retrial. His relationship with Maria and the perception of his character complicate the case, making him a focal point of public scrutiny. He dies in the climactic confrontation, after the truth about the killer is revealed.
Giorgio (Helmut Berger)
A young pianist who begins a relationship with Sarah and is later revealed as a killer behind the later park murders. He is also Françoise's lover, adding a layer of betrayal to the trail of violence. His calculated actions drive the final confrontation and the unraveling of the case.
Maria Marchi (Ida Galli)
Wife of Alessandro Marchi, whose affair with Cordaro becomes a disruptive thread in the legal saga. Her position within the marriage and the courtroom dynamics impacts the retrial and the perception of truth. She stands at the center of personal betrayals that influence the case.
Inspector Berardi (Silvano Tranquilli)
The lead investigator who tracks the string of park murders and taunting calls from the killer. He navigates the complexities of the case, balancing procedural scrutiny with the evolving twists. His role anchors the pursuit of truth amid deception.
Giulio Cordaro (Günther Stoll)
The defense attorney who manipulates the courtroom narrative to protect his own affair with Maria. His strategic choices influence the retrial and reveal the moral ambiguity within the legal system. He becomes a key figure in the web of deceit surrounding the case.
Marta Clerici (Lorella De Luca)
Marchi's mistress whose presence enters the retrial narrative, adding another layer of romantic complication to the legal drama. Her involvement highlights the personal entanglements that color the pursuit of justice. She is a catalyst for shifting loyalties and revelations.
Sarah Marchi (Wendy D'Olive)
Daughter of Marchi and a friend of Françoise; she becomes involved with Giorgio, linking the romantic plot to the serial killings. Her relationships place her at the center of motive and danger as the investigation evolves. She embodies the personal stakes behind the courtroom drama.
Anna Bellini (Anna Zinnemann)
A cast member listed without detailed involvement in the summary; her role is not specified in the provided material. She remains part of the wider cast context for the film.
The Prosecutor (Wolfgang Preiss)
The official who prosecutes the case against Marchi, setting the stage for the courtroom drama. His work frames the initial narrative of guilt and innocence that the retrial later unsettles. He represents the judicial authority in the central conflict.
The Inspector's Assistant (Peter Shepherd)
Assistant to Inspector Berardi, supporting the investigation as the case unfolds. His role helps advance the procedural elements of the pursuit and the unraveling of evidence. He contributes to the sense of a methodical inquiry in a tense, high-stakes scenario.
The Bloodstained Butterfly Settings
Learn where and when The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Location
Public park, Local weapon shop, Maria's home, Giorgio's home, Abandoned building
The narrative centers on a rain-soaked public park that serves as the primary crime scene. The park is the stage for the initial murder and later similar killings, linking the cases through motive and danger. Other important locations appear beside the park, including a local shop where the switchblade is bought and a later confrontation in an abandoned building.
The Bloodstained Butterfly Themes
Discover the main themes in The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Justice
Justice in the story is complicated by a false trail that leads to Marchi's conviction. A retrial overturns the verdict, exposing the murky interplay between motive, evidence, and personal entanglements. The final twists shift blame and reveal a more personal violence behind the public courtroom drama.
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Deceit
Deceit threads through relationships and legal maneuvering. Cordaro's affair with Maria undermines the defense, while Giorgio's dual roles blur truth and motive. Secrets drive the cascade of violence, showing how appearances can mislead investigators and viewers alike.
The Bloodstained Butterfly Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the relentless rain of an overcast afternoon, a public park becomes the backdrop for an unsettling mystery that reverberates through the city’s streets. The sudden, violent loss of a young French student under the flash of lightning sparks a media frenzy, turning an ordinary urban space into a stage for speculation, fear, and the relentless pursuit of answers. The storm’s raw energy mirrors the tangled emotions of those drawn into the case, casting long shadows over both the witnesses and the investigators who must sift through blurred recollections.
Enter Alessandro Marchi, a charismatic television sports host whose familiar smile suddenly seems out of place when he is spotted fleeing the scene. His public image clashes sharply with the growing suspicion that surrounds him, and the fact that his daughter, Sarah, was a close friend of the victim adds a personal dimension that threatens to blur the line between professional duty and family loyalty. As the courts prepare to weigh the evidence, the atmosphere crackles with a mixture of celebrity scrutiny and the weight of a seemingly damning narrative.
The legal arena becomes a crucible of hidden motives and strained relationships. Giulio Cordaro, the seasoned attorney tasked with defending Marchi, navigates a delicate balance between advocacy and personal entanglements, while Maria Marchi watches the unraveling of her family’s reputation with quiet resolve. The courtroom drama unfolds with terse interrogations and hushed whispers, each exchange hinting at deeper undercurrents that extend far beyond the initial accusation.
Beyond the trial, the investigation takes on an increasingly labyrinthine quality as fresh, unexplained disturbances emerge while Marchi remains in custody. Inspector Berardi and his team feel the pressure of a public demanding resolution, yet the case seems to resist simple explanations. The city’s streets, still slick with rain, echo with murmurs of doubt, suggesting that the truth may be more convoluted than the surface evidence admits, and that the storm’s aftermath has only just begun to reveal its hidden currents.
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