The Theft of the Caravaggio (2026) Movie Script
1
[EERIE MUSIC]
[GATE CLATTERING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[MUFFLED YELLS]
[CLANK]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
ORPHEUS (VOICEOVER): My devotion to my faith has been
unwavering,
as has my love for sacred art.
But when it comes to art, I am captivated
by the perception of its value.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
Sacred relics hang here, hidden from the world.
Neglected.
In these shadows, I always wonder
if they are deprived of a greater
purpose, denied a better life outside the confinement
of these walls.
We build rich temples to pray to our god
but have difficulty finding him there.
And then, one day, when we doubt everything,
just when we least expect it, the ordinary cycle breaks.
And we realize that the most precious things we hid away,
they emerge from the shadows and reappear
to reveal themselves to the world.
- [GASPING]
[PHONE RINGING]
FATHER HORACE (ON PHONE): ORPHEUS, they have stolen it.
Orpheus.
- Stolen what?
FATHER HORACE (ON PHONE): The Caravaggio!
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SIREN BLARING]
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Orpheus, what took you so long?
- Inspector Portelli.
- Father--
- Orpheus, I had a few words with Father Horace here,
and I spoke to Monsignor Russo over the phone.
He is one angry man.
He's on his way here as we speak.
Father Horace told me he's been trying
to reach you for over an hour.
- I got here as soon as I could.
I was sound asleep until I got the call.
- I wanted to speak to you before the Curia gets involved
and before the political theatrics
start to cloud things up.
- How did this happen?
PORTELLI: Would you like to follow me?
Right this way.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
The Saint Jerome was taken in the early hours of this morning.
Uh, father, the area is still under investigation.
The painting was lowered, and the canvas
was detached from the frame, uh, with a sharp object,
and the frame carelessly discarded, as you can see.
The canvas itself was rolled or folded, no doubt, to make it
easier to transport unnoticed.
- Was anything else stolen?
- No, no.
The thieves knew exactly what they were after.
The Saint Jerome is priceless.
But to the right collector, it's worth a fortune.
We've already alerted the international ports and
the art dealers.
Um, shall we?
A "Works In Progress" placard was
placed outside the main door.
- Well, that sign is ours for when we have maintenance works.
- OK.
The guard, he-- he was found tied up and unconscious,
suffered a heavy blow to the face.
An ambulance took him to St. Luke's Hospital.
I assume you know him well.
- Yes, Joe.
He's been with us for a few years.
A good man from a good family.
- Once he comes around, we'll need
to speak to him immediately.
His testimony will be key.
What time did you leave the cathedral last night?
- 8:00 PM.
I usually leave my office at the cathedral at 8:00 PM.
- Yeah.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[DOOR CLANKS]
- You!
What the heavens is going on in here?
Look at the chaos you have brought about.
Perhaps if you had paid more attention to your duties,
none of this would have happened.
But no, you chose to waste your time
by sending all those incessant travel requests.
- Monsignor, with respect, I have
been advocating for security measures for over 10 years.
All that has fallen on deaf ears.
- Excuses.
I will hear none of that anymore.
- We have no cameras, no alarms, but
all the money in the world for bishops,
their lavish offices, their entourage,
their extravagant trips to the Vatican.
We were a ticking clock.
RUSSO: Sooner or later, you will answer for all of this.
And you, what have you been doing to clear this mess?
- I will need the both of you to provide
a full statement at this station later today, so expect my call.
- Find me that blessed painting!
- A detective from Washington is flying in this afternoon
to join the investigation.
We will do our best, Monsignor.
- Ah!
Get me the Prime Minister!
[TENSE MUSIC]
- An inspector from Washington.
Why?
- The ministry has intervened and asked
the American embassy for help.
It seems they have assisted on a similar case back
in Palermo some 15 years ago.
Caravaggio's Nativity.
- The one that was never recovered.
- That's the one.
Turns out the police were chasing red herrings all along.
You know how it is.
The politicians, they need their grand gestures.
They need to show the public they're doing all that they can.
No stone unturned.
People love to read bad news, father.
Tomorrow's papers will sell out.
- Inspector, please do keep me updated on Joe's condition.
[EERIE MUSIC]
[WATER FLOWING]
[SIGHS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[GASPING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BEEPING]
[SOBBING]
[DOOR SHUTS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
ORPHEUS: Ah.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Dan, is it recording?
DAN (ON VIDEO): Yeah, we're recording.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Hey-- hey, Caitlin, Raphael,
why don't you sing a Christmas Carol for Uncle Orpheus?
Say, Hi, Uncle Orpheus.
- Hi, Uncle Orpheus.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Hi.
I imagine the cathedral's all lit
up and beautiful for Christmas.
Why don't we show him how you sing "Away in a Manger."
- Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head
The stars in the night sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep in the hay
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Good morning, Maryanne, my favorite sister.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I'm your only sister.
And the sun has already set on your side.
Tell me, how was your day?
- Oh, same old, same old.
Nothing new.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): That's no bad thing.
There's comfort and stability.
- Today brought back memories.
I found myself watching the Christmas tape
with the kids singing.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): [COUGHS] Oh how wonderful.
[COUGHING] Four years ago, eh?
- Five years.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): Is it really five years?
[COUGHING] Where-- where does it all go?
- Time flies.
Christ, it's ages since I last saw you.
Caitlin and Raphael, they were so young.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I keep asking them to stop growing.
They don't listen.
- Stubborn, like their grandmother.
Yeah.
Um, tell me honestly, how are you holding up?
MARYANNE: [COUGHING] I had the doctors come visit again.
They're not giving me much hope.
- You've always been the strong one.
You can do this.
We can do this together.
I'm working on permission to come see you.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I would like that.
- It should be granted any day now.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): Orpheus, there's something important
that I need to tell you.
I had a call yesterday from Helen.
- Helen?
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): She wanted to reach out to you,
but she couldn't face calling the cathedral, so she called me.
- After all these years?
Why now?
What does she want?
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): She has something to tell you.
It's-- it's about-- [COUGHING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[KNOCKING]
- Come in.
- Forgive me, Monsignor, but--
- Never mind me.
Go ahead.
- It's my sister, Maryanne.
- Your sister.
you mean the one who-- who lives in America,
if I remember correctly?
ORPHEUS: Yes.
She's unwell.
HORACE: Are we offering prayers for your dear
sister in our services?
- Yes, we have been, Monsignor.
- Well, please don't worry, Father Orpheus.
Take your strength from prayer, and
have faith in the will of God.
- But even with prayers, she's not getting any better.
I need to ask your kind permission
to go there to ask the church to sponsor my travels.
- Uh, uh, yes, I received your request.
But your first duty is to your parish here.
We do our personal sacrifices because it's
part of our calling.
With the grace of the good Lord, we are all going to heaven.
Isn't that what we want?
- Heaven?
- Look, I'm-- I'm very pleased that we
had this little conversation.
[EERIE MUSIC]
- Ha.
Detective Leone, welcome to Malta.
- Appreciate the ride.
- Let me help you with that.
So your last name, Leone, that's an Italian family name?
- It is.
I see you've done your homework.
- Leone, that's how you say it?
- Well, it's just Leone back at home.
My father's side was originally from Rome,
but we moved to the US when I was just a kid.
- My office said that you'd be the only one coming over.
- Were you expecting a larger party?
What's the status on the investigation?
- Well, we're practically in the dark.
No witnesses, no cameras, no alarms.
All we have is an old guard lying
unconscious on a hospital bed.
- Any leads, prints, fibers?
- Nothing.
We came up empty so far.
I mean, this whole job was just too precise, too clean.
Whoever did this, it's not their first time.
- Do you have a copy of the report
file I can have a look at?
- Yes, it's in the car.
Follow me.
It's on the front seat.
- Well, there's not much in here, is there?
- We're doing everything that we can.
This is not a straightforward case.
Plus, I have the ministry breathing down my neck.
Have you had experience in similar cases to this one?
- Well, I've done my fair share of robberies.
But as far as art thefts go, this would be a first.
- You're kidding me.
- Well, it was you who asked our embassy for help, right?
- My superiors.
The request came from higher up, not from me.
And I'm sure they thought that they were gonna send someone
with a little more experience.
- Well, I'm sorry if I wasn't quite what you were expecting.
- Maybe someone who's dealt with a couple of art crimes before.
- Look, as much as this case is very
important to your government, the old boys back at home prefer
to go after the mafia bosses.
Those are the golden tickets, my friend--
guaranteed promotions, salary bumps,
media spotlight, you name it.
- So they sent you.
- International relations.
Keeps the diplomatic wheels turning.
- Great.
Right.
I'll take you to your hotel so you can get settled in.
- I'm good.
We can go straight to the crime scene.
- OK.
[ENGINE STARTS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[INTENSE MUSIC]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
- Come on, Maryanne, pick up.
Pick up.
Pick up the phone.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- Your thieves were in a rush.
If they knew what they were doing,
they would have been more careful.
- Still waiting on more details from forensics.
- [CLEARS THROAT] Is this the detective that they sent over?
- Mm-hmm.
- She seems to know what she's doing.
- You're welcome to take over chauffeur
duties in the next few days.
Never mind.
Just focus on your work, Charlie.
[TENSE MUSIC]
PORTELLI: Father Orpheus, this is Detective Sofia Leone.
She's here to help us with the investigation.
- Please, have a seat.
Thanks for agreeing to meet with us.
The criminal art business has become a very lucrative
enterprise over the past years.
Security measures in museums globally have become
increasingly more stringent.
Yet, your cathedral seemed to be very ill-equipped for something
like this.
- Yes, it seems so.
- Well, you should know, thefts like these
are usually commissioned.
They're targeted by extremely wealthy collectors
or used as currency in organized crime networks.
It's a bit like how we use real estate as collateral.
They use art as leverage, a bargaining chip,
a future get-out-of-jail card.
- You seem to be well experienced.
- Well, our department deals extensively
with organized crime.
- Monsignor Russo mentioned that the cathedral
falls under your direct responsibility.
- Yes, that is correct.
LEONE: In the weeks leading up to the theft,
could you tell us if you noticed anything unusual,
any unusual visitors, events?
- Well, nothing that seemed terribly unusual.
The cathedral is a public place.
We get all kinds of visitors every day.
We also get some tourists.
PORTELLI: What about unusual phone activities?
[OMINOUS TUNE]
- No, nothing like that.
- What time does the cathedral open?
- Well, the cathedral opens at, uh,
5:00 AM, the first prayers, and the first mass is at 7:00 AM.
- So the cathedral is accessed each day
only through the main entrance.
- Yes, that's right.
- And your residence is nearby?
ORPHEUS: Yes, it's just a five-minute walk just by St.
Mary's.
LEONE: Why are there no security cameras
or alarms next to the most valuable art pieces?
- Yeah, all-- all the financial decisions,
that include security, fall under Monsignor Russo's control.
- How long has the guard been working at the cathedral for?
ORPHEUS: About seven years, soon after he
retired from his previous job.
- What was his previous job?
ORPHEUS: Government clerk with a clean police record.
You wouldn't have reason to suspect he's involved.
- It's standard to look into all possibilities.
Could you tell us where you were on the night of the theft?
- Fast asleep at my residence.
That's the last night I slept well.
- Insomnia, father?
- The stress of this situation coupled with personal issues.
- May I ask what personal issues?
- My sister.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- Yes, what is it?
CHARLIE: Inspector?
The guard from the cathedral, he regained consciousness.
PORTELLI: Oh, we have to go.
We need to speak to him immediately.
CHARLIE: Um, I don't think the doctors
will allow interrogation yet.
- Leave that to me, Charlie.
- Father, I apologize.
We're going to have to continue this later.
- Yeah, of course.
Do what you must.
And please, call me Orpheus.
[INTENSE MUSIC]
- Jesus Christ.
What a waste of time.
I thought you said we could speak with him right away.
- We're still trying to get hold of the minister.
He will get his clearance.
Just give us a couple of hours.
- Ridiculous.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Father?
- Yes, can I help you?
- This is for you, father.
For the church.
Open it when you get to the cathedral.
Not before.
- Wait.
Hey!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Hey!
Wait!
Wait!
[MOTOR ZOOMS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
LEONE: "Be at the green bridge on Sunday, 5:00 PM sharp.
Bring 500,000 pounds.
Come alone.
No police or the consequences will be severe."
PORTELLI: Hmm.
Look.
- This newspaper cutting is from three days ago.
PORTELLI: Look at the flooring.
Almost looks industrial.
LEONE: You said the man who handed you the envelope
had a Sicilian accent, right?
ORPHEUS: Yes, a very distinct, rough Sicilian accent.
- Not much to go on, but it's a start.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
This ransom amount is fairly low for a painting this valuable.
- We should get the ministry involved to pay the amount.
It's just too risky.
LEONE: Are you absolutely certain that you've
never seen this man before?
- If I'd seen him before, I would remember.
- The sketch artist will see you tomorrow morning.
That might give us more to go on.
LEONE: Well, the good news is that the painting
might be very close.
It could be in Sicily, just a couple of hours
away, or even closer.
- The-- the, uh, when you saw the car at the port,
did you manage to get a look at the driver?
- No.
- What about the model of the car?
License plate, anything?
- It all happened so quickly.
LEONE: OK, let's get these over to the lab for prints,
and let's get this canvas cutting
over to Rome for analysis.
- I'll handle that immediately.
In the meantime, I'll send a team over to the port
to investigate the area.
- Let's do a team meeting tomorrow, 8:00 AM.
We need to plan Sunday's op.
- I'll make the arrangements.
- OK.
Why did you take the envelope?
- It's not uncommon for people to approach me
in the street to give donations, ask for prayers.
- You remind me so much of my father.
He was patient like that with people.
This is all I've got left of him now to remind me of him.
- Watches.
The reminders of time passing.
Counting down the moments we have left.
It's the only flaw in their design.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Oh.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
HADES: Such a beauty.
It's as if the artist wasn't content
with merely engaging the viewer and
wanted our souls to sow right through the canvas itself.
- It's rare to find someone who can
appreciate art with such depth.
- Some paintings are very mysterious.
Only the artist knows what they have
locked in their brushstrokes.
We can only interpret them.
This particular piece speaks volumes about unconditional love
and the profound nature of sacrifice.
Do you ever wonder, as you look at these paintings
locked in here, if there is more for them outside of these
walls?
- If they are deprived of a worthier audience?
- Precisely.
[BABY CRYING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
- The surprises of daily life at the cathedral.
- Have you ever asked yourself, how
does the church remain so rich?
- The church never marries and never dies.
- An inside joke, I assume.
Oh, really, these works of art, although integral parts
of the spiritual and cultural fabric of the institution,
do feel very abandoned in here.
- They are safely hidden away here.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- The Saint Jerome by Caravaggio.
How exceptional to have a painting by the master
himself right here?
I doubt how many people know about this treasure being here.
Imagine stepping into the early 17th century,
time untouched by the complexities
of our modern visuals like TV and photography.
The human form was primarily captured through portrait and
sculpture, often idealized, bound by symmetry
and exaggerated in form.
And then, in the midst of this, you encounter a Caravaggio.
Shocking, dramatic, crystal clear.
So visceral that you feel so vulnerable, so exposed.
Extraordinary.
- Painted right here in Malta.
On the run for murder.
So, of course, the Knights of St. John
had to make him one of their own.
HADES: A murdering master artist turned Knight of Malta.
ORPHEUS: Well, it's certainly a masterpiece.
HADES: A priceless masterpiece.
- I love the way he combines the spiritual with the mundane.
Look at the skull.
St. Jerome's head is counterbalanced against it.
- A reminder that we all perish.
Eventually, we are all bound for heaven.
- Who have you been speaking to?
Did Russo send you?
- I don't follow.
I'm simply here to appreciate the art.
- I'm sorry, but the cathedral is about to close.
- How about we continue our conversation
outside the cathedral?
- I really should be closing up now Mr.--
- Hades.
Anthony Hades, father.
- Mr. Anthony.
- You really look as if he could do with some fresh air.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
RUSSO: I beg your pardon.
- Forgive me, Monsignor, but it is urgent.
I need you to reconsider granting me permission
to visit my sister, Maryanne.
- Oh, not that unpleasant business again.
We've been through this.
- I'm running out of time, Monsignor.
Please, understand my situation.
- Do I have to remind you of your commitment
to your vocation?
And if you leave, who is going to tend to your duties?
- There are others who can cover for me in my absence,
Monsignor.
- You're ready to betray your sacred duties
for personal matters?
- My sister is dying.
- Ah.
Who are we to question the will of the Lord?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
- I speak not out of bitterness or anger, but--
but from a profound moral struggle.
Your stance is unjust and lacks compassion.
It contradicts the very principles we uphold,
we have dedicated our lives to.
- My hands are tied.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
Ha-ha.
Beautiful, aren't they?
Hawking's strong.
Vital animals.
They play a key role in our ecosystem.
You see, Orpheus, there is a place
and a purpose for each one of us in this world, like the
falcons.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Happy Easter, Orpheus.
When are you coming to see us?
We miss you.
Caitlin?
Caitlin, come and say hi to uncle.
Say happy Easter, Uncle Orpheus.
- Happy Easter, Uncle Orpheus.
Where is Uncle Orpheus?
- He's in Malta.
- Where is Malta.
- It's far away.
Now you wave and say goodbye, Uncle Orpheus.
- Goodbye, Uncle.
Orpheus.
Happy-- happy Easter.
- Good girl.
[FRANTIC MUSIC]
- Come on, Maryanne.
Pick up the phone.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
- We're 21 minutes in.
Where is this guy?
LEONE (ON RADIO): Maintain your position.
Something's not right.
- We have movement.
Three men approaching.
These might be our guys.
Be ready to move in on my cue.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Hold back.
Do not engage.
I repeat, do not engage.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Come on.
Where are you hiding?
- Subject approaching.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Let's see what he does.
- He spotted the target.
Prepare for engagement.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Wait for my signal.
Hold your position.
- I'm not taking any chances.
This is our mark.
Engaging.
LEONE (ON RADIO): I said stand down.
I repeat, stand down.
PORTELLI: Police!
Don't move.
Turn around.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Your hands behind your back.
Spread your legs.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): O--
Orpheus.
O-- Orpheus.
Moira, is this--
MOIRA (ON VIDEO): Yes, it's recording, mom.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- [SOBBING]
PORTELLI: We had to let him go.
He was clean.
Just a tourists snapping photos.
- Yeah, no shit.
You know, your impulsiveness isn't just annoying,
but it's reckless.
And you deliberately ignored my order.
- I hate to break it to you, Miss America,
but we do not report to you.
- Well, then, what the hell am I doing here if you
can't follow basic protocol?
- Well, maybe it's time you reevaluate your role here.
- Oh, get a grip.
This isn't about ego, Portelli.
It's about operational efficiency.
And the kind of shit you pulled today
could have jeopardized this entire investigation.
And don't act like you don't know it.
- I had to make a decision, damn it.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Look, I've been running this over and over in my head,
and something wasn't right from the beginning.
- What do you mean?
- The robbers were never gonna show.
If this was a real ransom meet, it would have
been in a controlled location.
They might have even taken the priest as leverage.
This was a setup, a test.
They were surveilling us.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Unbelievable.
There's nothing about the Nativity theft
in these archives.
The last time we met, you mentioned
something about your sister.
How is she doing?
- She's not doing well.
- When was the last time you saw her?
- About 25 years ago.
She married, left Malta, and moved to the United States.
- Do you still keep in touch?
ORPHEUS: Regularly.
Until recently.
She sends me all her home videos.
It's nice to see the family grow.
The doctors haven't given her much time.
I promised to visit her.
It's been hard to keep that promise.
- Well, then you should go be with her.
- Things aren't that simple when you've chosen this path.
I need permission.
LEONE: Permission? From the Curia.
- What?
From Russo?
ORPHEUS: Yes.
And that hasn't been granted.
Can I take a look at your father's watch again?
- Yeah, sure.
ORPHEUS: Ah, yes.
He knew his stuff.
LEONE: He did.
ORPHEUS: Those things are so accurate.
Astronauts use them in space.
- He lived life in the fast lane,
constantly moving, always chasing
the next city, the next fight.
- A fighter?
- A boxer.
But the ring took more from him than it ever gave back.
The hits he took left scars you couldn't see.
It was-- it was painful watching the strongest
man I knew battle his own mind.
- I'm sorry to hear.
- How come you know so much about watches?
- I find peace repairing clocks and watches for the parish.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Any news on the guard?
- He still has no recollection about what happened.
He thought he suffered a heart attack while on duty.
[EERIE MUSIC]
My gut says we're not dealing with seasoned criminals here.
I suspect internal involvement, someone
who knew exactly when and how to strike
without raising suspicion.
- I'm not ruling out internal involvement,
but I still get the sense that these are professionals.
- Well, we're gonna have to re-examine
everybody from the cathedral.
[BELL TOLLING]
HADES: Interesting.
Two clocks, they look the same, but actually
they show different times.
- I see you've got an eye for detail.
One clock tells the true time, the other a false time.
- And why is that?
- To confuse the devil.
- And don't you think that the devil's caught on by now?
Priests don't lie, but sometimes they don't tell the truth.
- A white lie to confuse the devil.
Is that such a bad thing?
[TENSE MUSIC]
[WATER FLOWING]
So, Mr. Hades, traveling alone?
- Yes, I left my family back home.
My little girls would have loved this place.
It's beautiful.
But this trip is strictly business.
- A work trip.
- Father, let's get straight into it.
I have a proposal for you.
I'm a dealer, an art dealer.
I specialize in acquiring rare pieces from my clients.
The harder they are to acquire, the more I savor the challenge.
ORPHEUS: I suspect you're pretty good at it.
- I'm the best at what I do.
I have a client.
They are very interested in a particular painting of a jewel
cathedral, the Saint Jerome.
That's why I've been sent here.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- I don't follow.
- I need your help in acquiring it.
- Acquiring it?
- Well, let's call it that.
- Buying it?
- Stealing it.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Hades, but I--
HADES: Orpheus, please sit down.
Let's not be hasty.
I know about your sister.
I overheard you at the cathedral.
My clients have resources.
We can help you.
It's not like you've never pondered on this before.
Consider it a liberation of the artwork.
Sometimes true art must be free to find its rightful place.
- I don't need any help from you.
HADES: You're meant for more, Orpheus.
Break free from the shackles.
I've seen you with the cathedral.
You're worn out.
All your dreams.
All your regrets.
They will go to the grave with if you don't do this now.
- I was wrong to meet with you.
You seemed peculiar from the start.
HADES: I understand it's a process.
I'll come by the cathedral again.
- You stay away from the cathedral.
If I see you there, I'll call the police.
Do you understand?
- What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- I've been searching for you all over the city.
You're not an easy man to find.
- I knew you'd come to your senses.
I like your new look, Orpheus.
It suits you well.
- I can't stay in this darkness anymore.
Maybe I'm beyond saving, but I--
I have to at least try.
My sister's condition is worsening.
Time is not on my side.
- Then we must move fast.
We need to secure the Saint Jerome.
- What's your plan?
LEONE: Truth is, two men can get to it any given moment.
Wait for the guard to open.
Run up the stairs.
Knock him out.
Take down the painting.
Cut it from his frame.
Walk out of here with it rolled over their shoulders
before the first morning prayers.
Or my associates and I can take it.
- What if somebody finds out?
- How can they?
The truth remains between you and me.
Does the truth matter to anyone else?
- The truth matters to me.
HADES: There is no truth, only perception.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- How do I know I can trust you?
- You don't.
The real question, Orpheus, is can we trust you?
So since you are in, here is the number to my safe house.
Use it only if absolutely necessary.
Can't afford any mistakes.
The plan must be quick and precise.
We enter and exit without leaving a trace.
- How do we do that?
HADES: We'll make it appear as if the cathedral
is under routine maintenance.
We enter in the early hours before the city awakens.
Place a sign at the entrance for safety.
Stop anyone from entering.
Once we are in, take down the painting.
Release the canvas from its straining frame.
Roll it up and walk out.
It's no more than a seven-minute job.
We're liberated from the dull world that has consumed it.
I need detailed information about the cathedral's
additional access points.
Every little detail matters.
Once we have the painting, your sister's needs
will be taken care of.
She needs you the most right now.
I promise you, things are going to get better for you.
- What about Joe, the guard?
He's innocent in all this.
I don't want him to get hurt.
HADES: The guard is a minor issue.
We will handle it.
ORPHEUS: He's a good man, a family man.
It's important to me that he remains unharmed.
HADES: I promise you, we will do our best.
Joe will be just a small part of a much bigger plan.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CLOCK TICKING]
[PHONE RINGING]
MARYANNE (VOICEMAIL): I cannot get to the phone right now.
Please leave your name and number,
and I will call you back.
- Maryanne, please, it's urgent.
I need to speak with you.
Call me back as soon as you can.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Russo.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
RUSSO: Come in.
Ah.
Detective.
Take a seat.
- I see you're a fan of taxidermy?
- Ah.
Yes, my-- my personal collection.
What can I do for you, Detective?
- Well, I thought I'd drop in and fill you in.
- If you haven't found the painting yet,
I suggest you keep on searching.
LEONE: Well, we've sent the canvas cutting over
to Rome for authentication.
We need to make sure that it is from the Saint Jerome.
It's not the only reason why I came today.
I wanted to speak to you about Orpheus.
He seems to be in a very bad place.
- Oh, that thing with his sister.
Yes, yes, I know.
We released him from his duties, so he
can concentrate on that matter.
- And yet you denied his request to visit his sister.
Why?
- Our funds are limited.
LEONE: Oh, come on.
The church's wealth is no secret.
- Our mission is spiritual.
- Did your spiritual mission help Orpheus?
- Detective, what did you come here for?
- Just when did you lose your humanity?
- I was about to get Orpheus what he needed,
the permission to travel.
But then, a little bit after his sister died,
he descended into a downward spiral.
- Wait.
When did Maryanne die?
- What, he didn't tell you?
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
Well, about three months ago now.
Maybe if I had replaced him in the first place,
maybe all this mess would not have happened.
- Or maybe you should have let him see his dying sister.
How about that?
RUSSO: Are we done here, Detective?
- Yeah.
Yeah, we're done, I'll leave you to your dead birds.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- Yeah.
[DOOR BANGS]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[RINGING]
- Hello?
HADES (ON PHONE): Yes.
- I've been trying to get hold of you for days.
HADES (ON PHONE): I'm not always available.
I told you to wait for my call.
- Have you managed to everything out?
I need to leave.
HADES (ON PHONE): Not yet.
These things take time.
- Where's the painting?
HADES (ON PHONE): Relax.
It's safe.
- Maybe we should give it back.
Things aren't looking good here.
HADES (ON PHONE): And then what?
How will that help Maryanne?
- You've trapped me.
And now the police and an American inspector, they're
closing in.
HADES (ON PHONE): Take it easy.
The police are clueless.
They'll lose interest soon enough.
- You have to do something.
Do you understand me?
I'm out of time.
We need a diversion.
HADES (ON PHONE): Something to throw them off?
- Yes, or I swear, I'll expose everything about you.
HADES (ON PHONE): Easy now, Orpheus.
You know that wouldn't be good for either of us.
Do you really want me to destroy the evidence, the painting?
- I'll ransom them.
I need to ransom them with a photo of the painting
alongside today's newspaper.
HADES (ON PHONE): I will add something with the ransom note
to make it more interesting.
I will have it sent to you.
- No.
You got me into this mess.
You could get me out of it.
HADES (ON PHONE): You're not as innocent
as you'd like to believe.
Orpheus, you were a willing participant.
You could have walked away at any moment.
You needed me, Orpheus.
Remember that.
- I will call you once I receive it.
[BUSY SIGNAL]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
- OK, can you see the other side.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Clear.
Clear.
Clear.
[PHONE RINGING]
- Dispatch, we've located the phone.
No suspects in sight.
Over.
OFFICER (ON PHONE): Copy, Detective.
We'll stop calling the number now.
- They've cleared out.
They must have known we were coming.
- I don't think it's that.
PORTELLI: The trace from the phone box
logs and the number you gave us.
They match.
This is the right place.
Somebody must have tipped them off.
All right, let's get a team in here to examine the area.
Tell everyone else to move out.
- Inspector, Commissioner wants to talk to you on channel 2.
- Yes, Commissioner.
Yes, I understand.
OK.
Thank you.
[TENSE MUSIC]
The results from Rome just came in.
- And?
- It's not a match.
The cutting, it doesn't match.
- Get a warrant to search the cathedral grounds,
and meet me there in an hour.
- Leone, wait.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Leone?
[TIRES SCREECH]
What the hell is she doing?
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Keep a low profile.
- Have you taken care of my travel arrangements?
- It's going to take longer than I thought.
- How long?
- Give me a couple of days.
ORPHEUS: A couple of days?
That's not what we agreed.
The deal was you get the painting
and you get me straight out of here.
- The situation didn't unfold as easily as anticipated.
Patience.
- I can't afford to be patient.
I need to leave now!
You know my situation!
HADES: Wait for my call.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[DOOR UNLATCHES]
- It's been you.
It's been you all along, hasn't it?
No signs of forced entry.
No footsteps.
A one-person job.
I need to know the truth.
Just tell me what really happened.
- Hades.
- What?
- Anthony Hades.
- Who is Anthony Hades?
- An art collector from London.
He's a highly skilled thief.
For weeks now, he's been playing games with me.
- So you made a deal with this Anthony Hades.
ORPHEUS: He was gonna take it anyway.
He promised me a way out of here.
He was working for a Sicilian syndicate.
I didn't know what to do.
- OK, so then, where is he?
ORPHEUS: If I knew that, I'd be out there
looking for him myself.
I want this to be over.
LEONE: Orpheus, there is no Anthony Hades.
- I'm telling you, he set me up.
Here.
Call him yourself.
LEONE: We already called this number.
We checked all of your call logs, both from your office
and from the phone booth you used down the road.
Your logs show two numbers.
Maryanne's house in Michigan and an abandoned
factory at the port.
- His safe house.
LEONE: There was nothing there.
- He must have already left for Sicily.
- I have a different theory.
You thought about this for a while.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Happy Easter, Orpheus.
When are you coming to see us?
- Your motives were clear.
You made a plan.
No robbers, no heist.
- Impossible.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- You drugged the old guard.
You waited for the drugs to kick in.
Not expecting him to injure himself so violently.
And yet you went ahead and tied him up, didn't you?
The truth is, there is no evidence of an Anthony Hades.
- He is as real as you are, standing right in front of me
right now.
- The only Anthony there is, is the saint in that medallion
that you hold so close to you.
- He-- he's tricked me.
- It is you who's been tricking yourself, Orpheus.
- Traveling alone?
- Yes, I left my family back home.
My little girls would have loved this place.
ORPHEUS (MEMORY): White lie to confuse the devil.
Not such a bad thing.
HADES (MEMORY): The real question,
Orpheus, is can we trust you?
ORPHEUS (MEMORY): What's your plan?
HADES (MEMORY): Wait for my call.
Once we have the painting, your sister's needs
will be taken care of.
LEONE: When were you planning on telling me about Maryanne?
You recently received a parcel, a final message from her.
- No.
LEONE: It was Moira, your niece, who sent you this final
message.
Isn't that right.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Orpheus.
Orpheus.
Moira, is this recording?
MOIRA (ON VIDEO): Yes, mom, it--
it's recording.
You can talk to Uncle Orpheus now.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Orpheus, I wanted
to send you a final message.
My time here is coming to an end.
I'm moving on to a better place.
No more suffering for me.
Did you ever contact Helen?
It's not Helen who seeks you, but her daughter, your daughter.
All these years, all these years, you've hidden her
from yourself, from the world.
She's grown into a wonderful woman.
She's out there searching for her father.
Her name is Grace.
Until-- until we meet again, dear brother.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
ORPHEUS: Before I decided to devote myself
to what I thought was a higher calling--
--Helen was my love.
We were young, unmarried, and she was pregnant.
And I convinced her to give up the child.
[BABY CRYING]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
That was a mistake that I've had to live with.
She left Malta, hated me.
I never heard from her again.
- I will help you find your daughter.
It's time to go.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- What happens now?
- You're gonna need a good lawyer,
and you're gonna have to help us recover the painting.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Hello?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[ENGINE REVVING]
- You ready?
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[GATE CLATTERING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[MUFFLED YELLS]
[CLANK]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
ORPHEUS (VOICEOVER): My devotion to my faith has been
unwavering,
as has my love for sacred art.
But when it comes to art, I am captivated
by the perception of its value.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
Sacred relics hang here, hidden from the world.
Neglected.
In these shadows, I always wonder
if they are deprived of a greater
purpose, denied a better life outside the confinement
of these walls.
We build rich temples to pray to our god
but have difficulty finding him there.
And then, one day, when we doubt everything,
just when we least expect it, the ordinary cycle breaks.
And we realize that the most precious things we hid away,
they emerge from the shadows and reappear
to reveal themselves to the world.
- [GASPING]
[PHONE RINGING]
FATHER HORACE (ON PHONE): ORPHEUS, they have stolen it.
Orpheus.
- Stolen what?
FATHER HORACE (ON PHONE): The Caravaggio!
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SIREN BLARING]
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Orpheus, what took you so long?
- Inspector Portelli.
- Father--
- Orpheus, I had a few words with Father Horace here,
and I spoke to Monsignor Russo over the phone.
He is one angry man.
He's on his way here as we speak.
Father Horace told me he's been trying
to reach you for over an hour.
- I got here as soon as I could.
I was sound asleep until I got the call.
- I wanted to speak to you before the Curia gets involved
and before the political theatrics
start to cloud things up.
- How did this happen?
PORTELLI: Would you like to follow me?
Right this way.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
The Saint Jerome was taken in the early hours of this morning.
Uh, father, the area is still under investigation.
The painting was lowered, and the canvas
was detached from the frame, uh, with a sharp object,
and the frame carelessly discarded, as you can see.
The canvas itself was rolled or folded, no doubt, to make it
easier to transport unnoticed.
- Was anything else stolen?
- No, no.
The thieves knew exactly what they were after.
The Saint Jerome is priceless.
But to the right collector, it's worth a fortune.
We've already alerted the international ports and
the art dealers.
Um, shall we?
A "Works In Progress" placard was
placed outside the main door.
- Well, that sign is ours for when we have maintenance works.
- OK.
The guard, he-- he was found tied up and unconscious,
suffered a heavy blow to the face.
An ambulance took him to St. Luke's Hospital.
I assume you know him well.
- Yes, Joe.
He's been with us for a few years.
A good man from a good family.
- Once he comes around, we'll need
to speak to him immediately.
His testimony will be key.
What time did you leave the cathedral last night?
- 8:00 PM.
I usually leave my office at the cathedral at 8:00 PM.
- Yeah.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[DOOR CLANKS]
- You!
What the heavens is going on in here?
Look at the chaos you have brought about.
Perhaps if you had paid more attention to your duties,
none of this would have happened.
But no, you chose to waste your time
by sending all those incessant travel requests.
- Monsignor, with respect, I have
been advocating for security measures for over 10 years.
All that has fallen on deaf ears.
- Excuses.
I will hear none of that anymore.
- We have no cameras, no alarms, but
all the money in the world for bishops,
their lavish offices, their entourage,
their extravagant trips to the Vatican.
We were a ticking clock.
RUSSO: Sooner or later, you will answer for all of this.
And you, what have you been doing to clear this mess?
- I will need the both of you to provide
a full statement at this station later today, so expect my call.
- Find me that blessed painting!
- A detective from Washington is flying in this afternoon
to join the investigation.
We will do our best, Monsignor.
- Ah!
Get me the Prime Minister!
[TENSE MUSIC]
- An inspector from Washington.
Why?
- The ministry has intervened and asked
the American embassy for help.
It seems they have assisted on a similar case back
in Palermo some 15 years ago.
Caravaggio's Nativity.
- The one that was never recovered.
- That's the one.
Turns out the police were chasing red herrings all along.
You know how it is.
The politicians, they need their grand gestures.
They need to show the public they're doing all that they can.
No stone unturned.
People love to read bad news, father.
Tomorrow's papers will sell out.
- Inspector, please do keep me updated on Joe's condition.
[EERIE MUSIC]
[WATER FLOWING]
[SIGHS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[GASPING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BEEPING]
[SOBBING]
[DOOR SHUTS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
ORPHEUS: Ah.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Dan, is it recording?
DAN (ON VIDEO): Yeah, we're recording.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Hey-- hey, Caitlin, Raphael,
why don't you sing a Christmas Carol for Uncle Orpheus?
Say, Hi, Uncle Orpheus.
- Hi, Uncle Orpheus.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Hi.
I imagine the cathedral's all lit
up and beautiful for Christmas.
Why don't we show him how you sing "Away in a Manger."
- Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head
The stars in the night sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep in the hay
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Good morning, Maryanne, my favorite sister.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I'm your only sister.
And the sun has already set on your side.
Tell me, how was your day?
- Oh, same old, same old.
Nothing new.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): That's no bad thing.
There's comfort and stability.
- Today brought back memories.
I found myself watching the Christmas tape
with the kids singing.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): [COUGHS] Oh how wonderful.
[COUGHING] Four years ago, eh?
- Five years.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): Is it really five years?
[COUGHING] Where-- where does it all go?
- Time flies.
Christ, it's ages since I last saw you.
Caitlin and Raphael, they were so young.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I keep asking them to stop growing.
They don't listen.
- Stubborn, like their grandmother.
Yeah.
Um, tell me honestly, how are you holding up?
MARYANNE: [COUGHING] I had the doctors come visit again.
They're not giving me much hope.
- You've always been the strong one.
You can do this.
We can do this together.
I'm working on permission to come see you.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): I would like that.
- It should be granted any day now.
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): Orpheus, there's something important
that I need to tell you.
I had a call yesterday from Helen.
- Helen?
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): She wanted to reach out to you,
but she couldn't face calling the cathedral, so she called me.
- After all these years?
Why now?
What does she want?
MARYANNE (ON PHONE): She has something to tell you.
It's-- it's about-- [COUGHING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[KNOCKING]
- Come in.
- Forgive me, Monsignor, but--
- Never mind me.
Go ahead.
- It's my sister, Maryanne.
- Your sister.
you mean the one who-- who lives in America,
if I remember correctly?
ORPHEUS: Yes.
She's unwell.
HORACE: Are we offering prayers for your dear
sister in our services?
- Yes, we have been, Monsignor.
- Well, please don't worry, Father Orpheus.
Take your strength from prayer, and
have faith in the will of God.
- But even with prayers, she's not getting any better.
I need to ask your kind permission
to go there to ask the church to sponsor my travels.
- Uh, uh, yes, I received your request.
But your first duty is to your parish here.
We do our personal sacrifices because it's
part of our calling.
With the grace of the good Lord, we are all going to heaven.
Isn't that what we want?
- Heaven?
- Look, I'm-- I'm very pleased that we
had this little conversation.
[EERIE MUSIC]
- Ha.
Detective Leone, welcome to Malta.
- Appreciate the ride.
- Let me help you with that.
So your last name, Leone, that's an Italian family name?
- It is.
I see you've done your homework.
- Leone, that's how you say it?
- Well, it's just Leone back at home.
My father's side was originally from Rome,
but we moved to the US when I was just a kid.
- My office said that you'd be the only one coming over.
- Were you expecting a larger party?
What's the status on the investigation?
- Well, we're practically in the dark.
No witnesses, no cameras, no alarms.
All we have is an old guard lying
unconscious on a hospital bed.
- Any leads, prints, fibers?
- Nothing.
We came up empty so far.
I mean, this whole job was just too precise, too clean.
Whoever did this, it's not their first time.
- Do you have a copy of the report
file I can have a look at?
- Yes, it's in the car.
Follow me.
It's on the front seat.
- Well, there's not much in here, is there?
- We're doing everything that we can.
This is not a straightforward case.
Plus, I have the ministry breathing down my neck.
Have you had experience in similar cases to this one?
- Well, I've done my fair share of robberies.
But as far as art thefts go, this would be a first.
- You're kidding me.
- Well, it was you who asked our embassy for help, right?
- My superiors.
The request came from higher up, not from me.
And I'm sure they thought that they were gonna send someone
with a little more experience.
- Well, I'm sorry if I wasn't quite what you were expecting.
- Maybe someone who's dealt with a couple of art crimes before.
- Look, as much as this case is very
important to your government, the old boys back at home prefer
to go after the mafia bosses.
Those are the golden tickets, my friend--
guaranteed promotions, salary bumps,
media spotlight, you name it.
- So they sent you.
- International relations.
Keeps the diplomatic wheels turning.
- Great.
Right.
I'll take you to your hotel so you can get settled in.
- I'm good.
We can go straight to the crime scene.
- OK.
[ENGINE STARTS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[INTENSE MUSIC]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
- Come on, Maryanne, pick up.
Pick up.
Pick up the phone.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- Your thieves were in a rush.
If they knew what they were doing,
they would have been more careful.
- Still waiting on more details from forensics.
- [CLEARS THROAT] Is this the detective that they sent over?
- Mm-hmm.
- She seems to know what she's doing.
- You're welcome to take over chauffeur
duties in the next few days.
Never mind.
Just focus on your work, Charlie.
[TENSE MUSIC]
PORTELLI: Father Orpheus, this is Detective Sofia Leone.
She's here to help us with the investigation.
- Please, have a seat.
Thanks for agreeing to meet with us.
The criminal art business has become a very lucrative
enterprise over the past years.
Security measures in museums globally have become
increasingly more stringent.
Yet, your cathedral seemed to be very ill-equipped for something
like this.
- Yes, it seems so.
- Well, you should know, thefts like these
are usually commissioned.
They're targeted by extremely wealthy collectors
or used as currency in organized crime networks.
It's a bit like how we use real estate as collateral.
They use art as leverage, a bargaining chip,
a future get-out-of-jail card.
- You seem to be well experienced.
- Well, our department deals extensively
with organized crime.
- Monsignor Russo mentioned that the cathedral
falls under your direct responsibility.
- Yes, that is correct.
LEONE: In the weeks leading up to the theft,
could you tell us if you noticed anything unusual,
any unusual visitors, events?
- Well, nothing that seemed terribly unusual.
The cathedral is a public place.
We get all kinds of visitors every day.
We also get some tourists.
PORTELLI: What about unusual phone activities?
[OMINOUS TUNE]
- No, nothing like that.
- What time does the cathedral open?
- Well, the cathedral opens at, uh,
5:00 AM, the first prayers, and the first mass is at 7:00 AM.
- So the cathedral is accessed each day
only through the main entrance.
- Yes, that's right.
- And your residence is nearby?
ORPHEUS: Yes, it's just a five-minute walk just by St.
Mary's.
LEONE: Why are there no security cameras
or alarms next to the most valuable art pieces?
- Yeah, all-- all the financial decisions,
that include security, fall under Monsignor Russo's control.
- How long has the guard been working at the cathedral for?
ORPHEUS: About seven years, soon after he
retired from his previous job.
- What was his previous job?
ORPHEUS: Government clerk with a clean police record.
You wouldn't have reason to suspect he's involved.
- It's standard to look into all possibilities.
Could you tell us where you were on the night of the theft?
- Fast asleep at my residence.
That's the last night I slept well.
- Insomnia, father?
- The stress of this situation coupled with personal issues.
- May I ask what personal issues?
- My sister.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- Yes, what is it?
CHARLIE: Inspector?
The guard from the cathedral, he regained consciousness.
PORTELLI: Oh, we have to go.
We need to speak to him immediately.
CHARLIE: Um, I don't think the doctors
will allow interrogation yet.
- Leave that to me, Charlie.
- Father, I apologize.
We're going to have to continue this later.
- Yeah, of course.
Do what you must.
And please, call me Orpheus.
[INTENSE MUSIC]
- Jesus Christ.
What a waste of time.
I thought you said we could speak with him right away.
- We're still trying to get hold of the minister.
He will get his clearance.
Just give us a couple of hours.
- Ridiculous.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Father?
- Yes, can I help you?
- This is for you, father.
For the church.
Open it when you get to the cathedral.
Not before.
- Wait.
Hey!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Hey!
Wait!
Wait!
[MOTOR ZOOMS]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
LEONE: "Be at the green bridge on Sunday, 5:00 PM sharp.
Bring 500,000 pounds.
Come alone.
No police or the consequences will be severe."
PORTELLI: Hmm.
Look.
- This newspaper cutting is from three days ago.
PORTELLI: Look at the flooring.
Almost looks industrial.
LEONE: You said the man who handed you the envelope
had a Sicilian accent, right?
ORPHEUS: Yes, a very distinct, rough Sicilian accent.
- Not much to go on, but it's a start.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
This ransom amount is fairly low for a painting this valuable.
- We should get the ministry involved to pay the amount.
It's just too risky.
LEONE: Are you absolutely certain that you've
never seen this man before?
- If I'd seen him before, I would remember.
- The sketch artist will see you tomorrow morning.
That might give us more to go on.
LEONE: Well, the good news is that the painting
might be very close.
It could be in Sicily, just a couple of hours
away, or even closer.
- The-- the, uh, when you saw the car at the port,
did you manage to get a look at the driver?
- No.
- What about the model of the car?
License plate, anything?
- It all happened so quickly.
LEONE: OK, let's get these over to the lab for prints,
and let's get this canvas cutting
over to Rome for analysis.
- I'll handle that immediately.
In the meantime, I'll send a team over to the port
to investigate the area.
- Let's do a team meeting tomorrow, 8:00 AM.
We need to plan Sunday's op.
- I'll make the arrangements.
- OK.
Why did you take the envelope?
- It's not uncommon for people to approach me
in the street to give donations, ask for prayers.
- You remind me so much of my father.
He was patient like that with people.
This is all I've got left of him now to remind me of him.
- Watches.
The reminders of time passing.
Counting down the moments we have left.
It's the only flaw in their design.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Oh.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
HADES: Such a beauty.
It's as if the artist wasn't content
with merely engaging the viewer and
wanted our souls to sow right through the canvas itself.
- It's rare to find someone who can
appreciate art with such depth.
- Some paintings are very mysterious.
Only the artist knows what they have
locked in their brushstrokes.
We can only interpret them.
This particular piece speaks volumes about unconditional love
and the profound nature of sacrifice.
Do you ever wonder, as you look at these paintings
locked in here, if there is more for them outside of these
walls?
- If they are deprived of a worthier audience?
- Precisely.
[BABY CRYING]
[EERIE MUSIC]
- The surprises of daily life at the cathedral.
- Have you ever asked yourself, how
does the church remain so rich?
- The church never marries and never dies.
- An inside joke, I assume.
Oh, really, these works of art, although integral parts
of the spiritual and cultural fabric of the institution,
do feel very abandoned in here.
- They are safely hidden away here.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- The Saint Jerome by Caravaggio.
How exceptional to have a painting by the master
himself right here?
I doubt how many people know about this treasure being here.
Imagine stepping into the early 17th century,
time untouched by the complexities
of our modern visuals like TV and photography.
The human form was primarily captured through portrait and
sculpture, often idealized, bound by symmetry
and exaggerated in form.
And then, in the midst of this, you encounter a Caravaggio.
Shocking, dramatic, crystal clear.
So visceral that you feel so vulnerable, so exposed.
Extraordinary.
- Painted right here in Malta.
On the run for murder.
So, of course, the Knights of St. John
had to make him one of their own.
HADES: A murdering master artist turned Knight of Malta.
ORPHEUS: Well, it's certainly a masterpiece.
HADES: A priceless masterpiece.
- I love the way he combines the spiritual with the mundane.
Look at the skull.
St. Jerome's head is counterbalanced against it.
- A reminder that we all perish.
Eventually, we are all bound for heaven.
- Who have you been speaking to?
Did Russo send you?
- I don't follow.
I'm simply here to appreciate the art.
- I'm sorry, but the cathedral is about to close.
- How about we continue our conversation
outside the cathedral?
- I really should be closing up now Mr.--
- Hades.
Anthony Hades, father.
- Mr. Anthony.
- You really look as if he could do with some fresh air.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
RUSSO: I beg your pardon.
- Forgive me, Monsignor, but it is urgent.
I need you to reconsider granting me permission
to visit my sister, Maryanne.
- Oh, not that unpleasant business again.
We've been through this.
- I'm running out of time, Monsignor.
Please, understand my situation.
- Do I have to remind you of your commitment
to your vocation?
And if you leave, who is going to tend to your duties?
- There are others who can cover for me in my absence,
Monsignor.
- You're ready to betray your sacred duties
for personal matters?
- My sister is dying.
- Ah.
Who are we to question the will of the Lord?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
- I speak not out of bitterness or anger, but--
but from a profound moral struggle.
Your stance is unjust and lacks compassion.
It contradicts the very principles we uphold,
we have dedicated our lives to.
- My hands are tied.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
Ha-ha.
Beautiful, aren't they?
Hawking's strong.
Vital animals.
They play a key role in our ecosystem.
You see, Orpheus, there is a place
and a purpose for each one of us in this world, like the
falcons.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Happy Easter, Orpheus.
When are you coming to see us?
We miss you.
Caitlin?
Caitlin, come and say hi to uncle.
Say happy Easter, Uncle Orpheus.
- Happy Easter, Uncle Orpheus.
Where is Uncle Orpheus?
- He's in Malta.
- Where is Malta.
- It's far away.
Now you wave and say goodbye, Uncle Orpheus.
- Goodbye, Uncle.
Orpheus.
Happy-- happy Easter.
- Good girl.
[FRANTIC MUSIC]
- Come on, Maryanne.
Pick up the phone.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
- We're 21 minutes in.
Where is this guy?
LEONE (ON RADIO): Maintain your position.
Something's not right.
- We have movement.
Three men approaching.
These might be our guys.
Be ready to move in on my cue.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Hold back.
Do not engage.
I repeat, do not engage.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Come on.
Where are you hiding?
- Subject approaching.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Let's see what he does.
- He spotted the target.
Prepare for engagement.
LEONE (ON RADIO): Wait for my signal.
Hold your position.
- I'm not taking any chances.
This is our mark.
Engaging.
LEONE (ON RADIO): I said stand down.
I repeat, stand down.
PORTELLI: Police!
Don't move.
Turn around.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Your hands behind your back.
Spread your legs.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): O--
Orpheus.
O-- Orpheus.
Moira, is this--
MOIRA (ON VIDEO): Yes, it's recording, mom.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- [SOBBING]
PORTELLI: We had to let him go.
He was clean.
Just a tourists snapping photos.
- Yeah, no shit.
You know, your impulsiveness isn't just annoying,
but it's reckless.
And you deliberately ignored my order.
- I hate to break it to you, Miss America,
but we do not report to you.
- Well, then, what the hell am I doing here if you
can't follow basic protocol?
- Well, maybe it's time you reevaluate your role here.
- Oh, get a grip.
This isn't about ego, Portelli.
It's about operational efficiency.
And the kind of shit you pulled today
could have jeopardized this entire investigation.
And don't act like you don't know it.
- I had to make a decision, damn it.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Look, I've been running this over and over in my head,
and something wasn't right from the beginning.
- What do you mean?
- The robbers were never gonna show.
If this was a real ransom meet, it would have
been in a controlled location.
They might have even taken the priest as leverage.
This was a setup, a test.
They were surveilling us.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Unbelievable.
There's nothing about the Nativity theft
in these archives.
The last time we met, you mentioned
something about your sister.
How is she doing?
- She's not doing well.
- When was the last time you saw her?
- About 25 years ago.
She married, left Malta, and moved to the United States.
- Do you still keep in touch?
ORPHEUS: Regularly.
Until recently.
She sends me all her home videos.
It's nice to see the family grow.
The doctors haven't given her much time.
I promised to visit her.
It's been hard to keep that promise.
- Well, then you should go be with her.
- Things aren't that simple when you've chosen this path.
I need permission.
LEONE: Permission? From the Curia.
- What?
From Russo?
ORPHEUS: Yes.
And that hasn't been granted.
Can I take a look at your father's watch again?
- Yeah, sure.
ORPHEUS: Ah, yes.
He knew his stuff.
LEONE: He did.
ORPHEUS: Those things are so accurate.
Astronauts use them in space.
- He lived life in the fast lane,
constantly moving, always chasing
the next city, the next fight.
- A fighter?
- A boxer.
But the ring took more from him than it ever gave back.
The hits he took left scars you couldn't see.
It was-- it was painful watching the strongest
man I knew battle his own mind.
- I'm sorry to hear.
- How come you know so much about watches?
- I find peace repairing clocks and watches for the parish.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Any news on the guard?
- He still has no recollection about what happened.
He thought he suffered a heart attack while on duty.
[EERIE MUSIC]
My gut says we're not dealing with seasoned criminals here.
I suspect internal involvement, someone
who knew exactly when and how to strike
without raising suspicion.
- I'm not ruling out internal involvement,
but I still get the sense that these are professionals.
- Well, we're gonna have to re-examine
everybody from the cathedral.
[BELL TOLLING]
HADES: Interesting.
Two clocks, they look the same, but actually
they show different times.
- I see you've got an eye for detail.
One clock tells the true time, the other a false time.
- And why is that?
- To confuse the devil.
- And don't you think that the devil's caught on by now?
Priests don't lie, but sometimes they don't tell the truth.
- A white lie to confuse the devil.
Is that such a bad thing?
[TENSE MUSIC]
[WATER FLOWING]
So, Mr. Hades, traveling alone?
- Yes, I left my family back home.
My little girls would have loved this place.
It's beautiful.
But this trip is strictly business.
- A work trip.
- Father, let's get straight into it.
I have a proposal for you.
I'm a dealer, an art dealer.
I specialize in acquiring rare pieces from my clients.
The harder they are to acquire, the more I savor the challenge.
ORPHEUS: I suspect you're pretty good at it.
- I'm the best at what I do.
I have a client.
They are very interested in a particular painting of a jewel
cathedral, the Saint Jerome.
That's why I've been sent here.
[TENSE MUSIC]
- I don't follow.
- I need your help in acquiring it.
- Acquiring it?
- Well, let's call it that.
- Buying it?
- Stealing it.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Hades, but I--
HADES: Orpheus, please sit down.
Let's not be hasty.
I know about your sister.
I overheard you at the cathedral.
My clients have resources.
We can help you.
It's not like you've never pondered on this before.
Consider it a liberation of the artwork.
Sometimes true art must be free to find its rightful place.
- I don't need any help from you.
HADES: You're meant for more, Orpheus.
Break free from the shackles.
I've seen you with the cathedral.
You're worn out.
All your dreams.
All your regrets.
They will go to the grave with if you don't do this now.
- I was wrong to meet with you.
You seemed peculiar from the start.
HADES: I understand it's a process.
I'll come by the cathedral again.
- You stay away from the cathedral.
If I see you there, I'll call the police.
Do you understand?
- What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[BELL TOLLING]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- I've been searching for you all over the city.
You're not an easy man to find.
- I knew you'd come to your senses.
I like your new look, Orpheus.
It suits you well.
- I can't stay in this darkness anymore.
Maybe I'm beyond saving, but I--
I have to at least try.
My sister's condition is worsening.
Time is not on my side.
- Then we must move fast.
We need to secure the Saint Jerome.
- What's your plan?
LEONE: Truth is, two men can get to it any given moment.
Wait for the guard to open.
Run up the stairs.
Knock him out.
Take down the painting.
Cut it from his frame.
Walk out of here with it rolled over their shoulders
before the first morning prayers.
Or my associates and I can take it.
- What if somebody finds out?
- How can they?
The truth remains between you and me.
Does the truth matter to anyone else?
- The truth matters to me.
HADES: There is no truth, only perception.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
- How do I know I can trust you?
- You don't.
The real question, Orpheus, is can we trust you?
So since you are in, here is the number to my safe house.
Use it only if absolutely necessary.
Can't afford any mistakes.
The plan must be quick and precise.
We enter and exit without leaving a trace.
- How do we do that?
HADES: We'll make it appear as if the cathedral
is under routine maintenance.
We enter in the early hours before the city awakens.
Place a sign at the entrance for safety.
Stop anyone from entering.
Once we are in, take down the painting.
Release the canvas from its straining frame.
Roll it up and walk out.
It's no more than a seven-minute job.
We're liberated from the dull world that has consumed it.
I need detailed information about the cathedral's
additional access points.
Every little detail matters.
Once we have the painting, your sister's needs
will be taken care of.
She needs you the most right now.
I promise you, things are going to get better for you.
- What about Joe, the guard?
He's innocent in all this.
I don't want him to get hurt.
HADES: The guard is a minor issue.
We will handle it.
ORPHEUS: He's a good man, a family man.
It's important to me that he remains unharmed.
HADES: I promise you, we will do our best.
Joe will be just a small part of a much bigger plan.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CLOCK TICKING]
[PHONE RINGING]
MARYANNE (VOICEMAIL): I cannot get to the phone right now.
Please leave your name and number,
and I will call you back.
- Maryanne, please, it's urgent.
I need to speak with you.
Call me back as soon as you can.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Russo.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
RUSSO: Come in.
Ah.
Detective.
Take a seat.
- I see you're a fan of taxidermy?
- Ah.
Yes, my-- my personal collection.
What can I do for you, Detective?
- Well, I thought I'd drop in and fill you in.
- If you haven't found the painting yet,
I suggest you keep on searching.
LEONE: Well, we've sent the canvas cutting over
to Rome for authentication.
We need to make sure that it is from the Saint Jerome.
It's not the only reason why I came today.
I wanted to speak to you about Orpheus.
He seems to be in a very bad place.
- Oh, that thing with his sister.
Yes, yes, I know.
We released him from his duties, so he
can concentrate on that matter.
- And yet you denied his request to visit his sister.
Why?
- Our funds are limited.
LEONE: Oh, come on.
The church's wealth is no secret.
- Our mission is spiritual.
- Did your spiritual mission help Orpheus?
- Detective, what did you come here for?
- Just when did you lose your humanity?
- I was about to get Orpheus what he needed,
the permission to travel.
But then, a little bit after his sister died,
he descended into a downward spiral.
- Wait.
When did Maryanne die?
- What, he didn't tell you?
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
Well, about three months ago now.
Maybe if I had replaced him in the first place,
maybe all this mess would not have happened.
- Or maybe you should have let him see his dying sister.
How about that?
RUSSO: Are we done here, Detective?
- Yeah.
Yeah, we're done, I'll leave you to your dead birds.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
- Yeah.
[DOOR BANGS]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[RINGING]
- Hello?
HADES (ON PHONE): Yes.
- I've been trying to get hold of you for days.
HADES (ON PHONE): I'm not always available.
I told you to wait for my call.
- Have you managed to everything out?
I need to leave.
HADES (ON PHONE): Not yet.
These things take time.
- Where's the painting?
HADES (ON PHONE): Relax.
It's safe.
- Maybe we should give it back.
Things aren't looking good here.
HADES (ON PHONE): And then what?
How will that help Maryanne?
- You've trapped me.
And now the police and an American inspector, they're
closing in.
HADES (ON PHONE): Take it easy.
The police are clueless.
They'll lose interest soon enough.
- You have to do something.
Do you understand me?
I'm out of time.
We need a diversion.
HADES (ON PHONE): Something to throw them off?
- Yes, or I swear, I'll expose everything about you.
HADES (ON PHONE): Easy now, Orpheus.
You know that wouldn't be good for either of us.
Do you really want me to destroy the evidence, the painting?
- I'll ransom them.
I need to ransom them with a photo of the painting
alongside today's newspaper.
HADES (ON PHONE): I will add something with the ransom note
to make it more interesting.
I will have it sent to you.
- No.
You got me into this mess.
You could get me out of it.
HADES (ON PHONE): You're not as innocent
as you'd like to believe.
Orpheus, you were a willing participant.
You could have walked away at any moment.
You needed me, Orpheus.
Remember that.
- I will call you once I receive it.
[BUSY SIGNAL]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
- OK, can you see the other side.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Clear.
Clear.
Clear.
[PHONE RINGING]
- Dispatch, we've located the phone.
No suspects in sight.
Over.
OFFICER (ON PHONE): Copy, Detective.
We'll stop calling the number now.
- They've cleared out.
They must have known we were coming.
- I don't think it's that.
PORTELLI: The trace from the phone box
logs and the number you gave us.
They match.
This is the right place.
Somebody must have tipped them off.
All right, let's get a team in here to examine the area.
Tell everyone else to move out.
- Inspector, Commissioner wants to talk to you on channel 2.
- Yes, Commissioner.
Yes, I understand.
OK.
Thank you.
[TENSE MUSIC]
The results from Rome just came in.
- And?
- It's not a match.
The cutting, it doesn't match.
- Get a warrant to search the cathedral grounds,
and meet me there in an hour.
- Leone, wait.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Leone?
[TIRES SCREECH]
What the hell is she doing?
[TENSE MUSIC]
- Keep a low profile.
- Have you taken care of my travel arrangements?
- It's going to take longer than I thought.
- How long?
- Give me a couple of days.
ORPHEUS: A couple of days?
That's not what we agreed.
The deal was you get the painting
and you get me straight out of here.
- The situation didn't unfold as easily as anticipated.
Patience.
- I can't afford to be patient.
I need to leave now!
You know my situation!
HADES: Wait for my call.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[DOOR UNLATCHES]
- It's been you.
It's been you all along, hasn't it?
No signs of forced entry.
No footsteps.
A one-person job.
I need to know the truth.
Just tell me what really happened.
- Hades.
- What?
- Anthony Hades.
- Who is Anthony Hades?
- An art collector from London.
He's a highly skilled thief.
For weeks now, he's been playing games with me.
- So you made a deal with this Anthony Hades.
ORPHEUS: He was gonna take it anyway.
He promised me a way out of here.
He was working for a Sicilian syndicate.
I didn't know what to do.
- OK, so then, where is he?
ORPHEUS: If I knew that, I'd be out there
looking for him myself.
I want this to be over.
LEONE: Orpheus, there is no Anthony Hades.
- I'm telling you, he set me up.
Here.
Call him yourself.
LEONE: We already called this number.
We checked all of your call logs, both from your office
and from the phone booth you used down the road.
Your logs show two numbers.
Maryanne's house in Michigan and an abandoned
factory at the port.
- His safe house.
LEONE: There was nothing there.
- He must have already left for Sicily.
- I have a different theory.
You thought about this for a while.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Happy Easter, Orpheus.
When are you coming to see us?
- Your motives were clear.
You made a plan.
No robbers, no heist.
- Impossible.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- You drugged the old guard.
You waited for the drugs to kick in.
Not expecting him to injure himself so violently.
And yet you went ahead and tied him up, didn't you?
The truth is, there is no evidence of an Anthony Hades.
- He is as real as you are, standing right in front of me
right now.
- The only Anthony there is, is the saint in that medallion
that you hold so close to you.
- He-- he's tricked me.
- It is you who's been tricking yourself, Orpheus.
- Traveling alone?
- Yes, I left my family back home.
My little girls would have loved this place.
ORPHEUS (MEMORY): White lie to confuse the devil.
Not such a bad thing.
HADES (MEMORY): The real question,
Orpheus, is can we trust you?
ORPHEUS (MEMORY): What's your plan?
HADES (MEMORY): Wait for my call.
Once we have the painting, your sister's needs
will be taken care of.
LEONE: When were you planning on telling me about Maryanne?
You recently received a parcel, a final message from her.
- No.
LEONE: It was Moira, your niece, who sent you this final
message.
Isn't that right.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Orpheus.
Orpheus.
Moira, is this recording?
MOIRA (ON VIDEO): Yes, mom, it--
it's recording.
You can talk to Uncle Orpheus now.
MARYANNE (ON VIDEO): Orpheus, I wanted
to send you a final message.
My time here is coming to an end.
I'm moving on to a better place.
No more suffering for me.
Did you ever contact Helen?
It's not Helen who seeks you, but her daughter, your daughter.
All these years, all these years, you've hidden her
from yourself, from the world.
She's grown into a wonderful woman.
She's out there searching for her father.
Her name is Grace.
Until-- until we meet again, dear brother.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
ORPHEUS: Before I decided to devote myself
to what I thought was a higher calling--
--Helen was my love.
We were young, unmarried, and she was pregnant.
And I convinced her to give up the child.
[BABY CRYING]
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
That was a mistake that I've had to live with.
She left Malta, hated me.
I never heard from her again.
- I will help you find your daughter.
It's time to go.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
- What happens now?
- You're gonna need a good lawyer,
and you're gonna have to help us recover the painting.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Hello?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[ENGINE REVVING]
- You ready?
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[GENTLE MUSIC]