La notte della Repubblica

- Season 1

(1989)

On December 12, 1969, a bomb explodes at the headquarters of National Agrarian Bank, in Milan. Judicial inquiries involve Pietro Valpreda (anarchist activist), Franco Freda and Giovanni Ventura (neo-fascists).

History of the 1960s in Italy is recalled through some salient events: Summer Olympics in Rome (1960), first Moro Cabinet (1963), Piano Solo (1964) and the flood of Arno river (1966).

Between 1968 and 1969, Italy is shaken by the student protests and trade labor disputes: a biennial of strong political-social claims and reactionary regurgitations. The Years of Lead are about to begin.

On April 16, 1970, a message transmitted with a loud interference in television signal marks the birth of the Red Brigades, a far-left paramilitary organization.

The Red Brigades' activities, from 1970 to 1974, are characterized by ideology, armed struggle strategy, attempted insertion into factories and social struggles, using information gathering, hideouts and weapons. In 1974 the first murders.

Between the 1960s and the 1970s, different far-right groups participate in eversive and terrorist actions (murders and dynamite attacks), up to organize an attempted coup d'état, in 1970, with Junio Valerio Borghese.

In 1974, the Red Brigades kidnap Mario Sossi, public prosecutor in Genoa. Sossi will be released after a month. From 1976 to 1980, right and left terrorist groups kill ten magistrates and a jurist.

In 1974, Italy is shocked by two massacres, in Brescia (May 28, 8 deaths) and San Benedetto Val di Sambro (August 4, 12 deaths on the Italicus Express). Over the years, despite investigations, the executioners will not be discovered.

From 1974 to 1977, police forces detain several Red Brigades militants, while the Armed Proletarian Cells begin their armed activity. This far-left organization, active in Rome and South Italy, is dismantled in 1977.

1977 is a year marked by student uprisings of extra-parliamentary left groups, responsible for demonstrations and clashes with the police, while the Red Brigades continue their terrorist activity with injuries and murders.

On March 16, 1978, the Red Brigades kidnap Aldo Moro, former Italian Prime Minister, killing his police bodyguard in Rome. Same day the new government obtains the confidence of Parliament.

Between March and May 1978, Aldo Moro's kidnappers ask the State to release thirteen left-wing detainees, in exchange for the hostage's life. Italian government refuses to negotiate. Despite investigations, Aldo Moro is murdered.

Some members of the Red Brigades, prisoners in 1978, tell how they experienced the kidnapping of Aldo Moro from jail. In the 1980s, terrorists involved in the kidnapping are sentenced to life imprisonment or many years in prison.

Prima Linea is a Marxist-Leninist terrorist group, formed in 1976. This far-left organization is active particularly in Piedmont, Lombardy, Tuscany and Campania. Altogether, Prima Linea members make 101 attacks, 18 murders and 23 injuries.

After Aldo Moro's murder, the Red Brigades continue to kill. On December 12, 1980, they kidnap judge Giovanni D'Urso, asking the media to publish their communications. Despite the media's reject D'Urso is issued after 34 days.

On August 2, 1980, a time-bomb placed at the Bologna station kills 85 people. On December 23, 1984, another bomb explodes on 904 express train, killing 16 people: in March 1990, some Sicilian Mafia members are sentenced for this massacre.

On April 4, 1981, police arrests in Milan Mario Moretti, head of the Red Brigades. On May 29, 1982, Parliament passes the law on collaborators of justice: in the following years many terrorists will collaborate with investigators.

A statistical balance sheet of the terrorist period that blew Italy between 1969 and 1989 is drawn up. Some intellectuals are interviewed for an opinion on post-terrorism and the solutions that State should adopt, while some relatives of the victims tell their anguish and what they expect from the institutions.