At the beginning of the movie a pharmacist receives an anonymous letter that threatens him of death. And the murder actually happens. Seems very simple but nothing is what it seems and the journey to the truth will be long and difficult. The book is excellent and the movie is at par with it and very faithful to the romance. Great direction. Incredible cast with Gabriele Ferzetti in his best interpretation together with the one in "C'era una volta il West" and Gianmaria Volonté simply beyond reach as always. Many other great actors. Yes I am an enthusiast 'cause there's not a word or a shot out of place in this movie and the plot is ingenious. Who is going to see this film for the first time will be taken away by the developments (the pace seems to be calm but looking in between the kinks you may realize that many things are going rapidly on). Trying to figure out what is the kernel of the happenings and the "reasons" for the murder is a very interesting exercise but it's highly unlikely for the spectator not to experience a big surprise at the end. In my opinion Elio Petri at his best (I mean at the same level of his other masterwork: La classe operaia va in Paradiso)这个电视剧的剧本绝了，全程细节，故事逻辑完整，唯独有一点挺渗人的，全员007，所有人都是老板最爱的那种打工人，不吃不睡不偷懒，全员拼命，古代人的日子太吓人了。一想到如果有一天我妈看见这种电视剧，必然会说，人家古代公子王孙都拼命工作，你还一天天的指望休息日，太不努力了…这个太有违不才的劳逸逸逸结合的理念了。