Maurizio Piacenti

Set during a retreat of Christian Democrat politicians who practice spiritual exercises together, it is an allegory of corrupted power. Disturbing, claustrophobic settings are the background to a series of mysterious crimes.

Young Franco is imprisoned for murder and rises to become the feared and powerful 'Professor', taking control of Naples' underworld from behind bars.

Four bandits commit a robbery in a villa. The maid calls the police and Commissioner Carli immediately orders patrols to chase them.

Manfred, backed by Saracen pirates, deposes the Duke of Montfort, takes over the throne and kidnapped the Duke's young son. Capt. Riccardo, the leader of a pirate band on the ship Black Hawk, sets out to defeat Manfred and his Saracens and restore the Duke to his rightful place on the throne.

Soprano Anna Moffo stars as winsome courtesan Violetta Valery -- who tries to protect her rash lover, Alfredo, even if it means lying and breaking his heart -- in this 1968 version of composer Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece. Recorded at the Rome Opera House with renowned conductor Giuseppe Patanè leading the orchestra and chorus, the production also stars Gino Bechi as Alfredo's angst-ridden father.