Romanzo Criminale - Season One

Set during the tumultuous political period called the ‘Years Of Lead’, this semi-factual Italian crime drama based on the notorious ‘Banda Magliata’ charts the rise of a criminal gang whose aim it is to gain complete control of Rome’s drugs and gambling empire.

This 12-part series kicks off in 1977 and finishes in the early 80’s (it is Season One), and aspiring criminal gangs seem to be the least of Italy’s problems: rival political factions including the left-wing communist-orientated Red Brigade and the right-winged National Vanguard are at each others throats. Add to this the dodgy Italian Secret Service, corrupt police and bent lawyers and you have a recipe for disaster! Enter two young thugs who would also like to add their bit to the poisonous concoction… ‘Libanese’ (Francesco Montanari) and ‘Dandi’ (Alessandro Roja), who starts off small by robbing a lorry containing 50 Olivetti electronic typewriters (these days considered to be museum pieces). However, from small acorns mighty oak trees grow and it isn’t long before we are talking major operations – involving weaponry, class-A drugs, kidnapping and murder (followed by many more murders). After an initial misunderstanding about a large bag of firearms, Libanese realises that he has much in common with the forward-thinking Freddo (Vinicio Marchioni) and the pair decide to team up. Together with the aforementioned Dandi and other mates Bufalo (Andrea Sartoretti) and Scrocchiazeppi (a name you don’t forget in a hurry! Oh, and he’s played by one Riccardo De Filippis).

The first big job the boys decide to pull off is the kidnapping of a rich aristocrat. Initially all goes well but unfortunately some of Libanese’s cronies are somewhat lacking in common sense and intelligence… resulting in the death of the kidnapped man. Oh dannazione! For Libanese and Co. this is a relatively minor problem that can be overcome, however, it ‘succeeds’ in putting the ever diligent and idealistic Commissario Scialoja (Marco Bocci) on their case. Mind you, Scialloja has his own problems to deal with – his reactionary colleagues brand him a ‘commie lover’, and his sister actually is a lefty political activist.

Standing in the way of our anti-heroes is the daddy of them all: Il Terribile (Marco Giallini) who is not only Libanese’s archenemy but he’s also funded by the Mafia. Also, Libanese has his own reasons for wanting to get even with Terribile and this is a hurdle that eventually must be overcome. But it ainta gonna be easy. As if this situation isn’t a difficult enough one to deal with, Libanese is let down by most members of the gang, in particular sex-fiend Dandi who blows his money on conniving high-class prostitute Patricia (Daniela Virgilio) with whom he becomes infatuated, and another member who buys a Porsche. You may ask yourself why Libanese should be so upset about this – well, that’s because the ransom money from the botched kidnapping is marked and they cannot actually use it straight away. After settling the score with his nemesis the gang are finally approached by the almighty Mafia who are impressed by their ruthlessness and offer them a very good deal indeed! Suffice to say this is the answer to their warped dreams. Being warped dreams they are bound inevitably to turn into a nightmare… and the nightmare is only just beginning…

This multiple-award winning crime drama deserves to have its own UK cult following! Gripping, intelligent, and interspersed with archive footage of real events like the bombing of the Bologna Central Station in 1980 by neo-fascists add gravitas. Plaudits must go to director Sollima for the unflagging pace and the five writers. The acting, although the dialogue is in Italian (with English subtitles) comes over as very realistic, which is exactly as it should be with a series like this!
Personally, I can’t wait for Season Two of Romanzo Criminale!