A Simple Story

A Simple Story

Year: 1991

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Emidio Greco

Drama

After years abroad, a retired diplomat returns to his native Sicily to inspect an abandoned family estate and read old correspondence, hoping to reconnect with his roots. While uncovering forgotten memories, he confronts a turbulent Sicilian past haunted by mafia influence and drug trafficking, and wonders if reviving the past is worth the cost.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Simple Story (1991)

Trace every key event in A Simple Story (1991) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Medicine rep arrives in Sicily and witnesses a murder by radio

The film opens with a medicine representative arriving from Verona to rural Sicily. He later realizes he witnessed a double murder at a railway station when he hears news on his car radio. He contacts the local police to offer assistance with the inquiries.

Rural railway station, Sicily
2

Body of retired ambassador found in farmhouse

Police discover the body of the retired ambassador at his remote farmhouse, after he had reported the discovery of a painting rolled in the attic. The body appears initially as a suicide but suspicions of foul play arise as the investigation proceeds. The painting is central to the case.

Ambassador's remote farmhouse
3

Initial police assessment dismisses murder

The duty inspector suggests the ambassador's death is a suicide, prompting skepticism from other investigators. The police commissioner rejects the murder theory in favor of a simple explanation, complicating the pursuit of truth. Carabinieri show awareness of an alternative theory behind the scenes.

Farmhouse and police HQ
4

Verbal clarification from the Verona medicine rep

Interrogation of the Verona medicine rep clarifies that he did not see railway staff at the scene, but instead saw the murderers rolling up a painting in the station. This revelation reframes the crime as more complex and ties the painting to the evidence. The rep's testimony advances the investigation.

Railway station
5

Professor Franzo joins the investigation

The investigator turns to an old friend of the deceased, Professor Franzo, who reveals more about the telephone conversations they had exchanged before the ambassador's death. His information adds a personal dimension to the crime and hints at prior connections. The professor's presence straddles intellectual insight and possible complicity.

Ambassador's circle and farmhouse area
6

Suspicion grows about farm buildings' use

Early suspicion grows that the farm buildings had been used for criminal activity for some time, suggesting a larger network. The investigation digs into the infrastructure surrounding the estate to locate hidden rooms or resources. The inspector's observations foreshadow deeper involvement within the estate.

Ambassador's estate and farm buildings
7

Inspector's familiarity raises doubts

The inspector, who seems overly familiar with the layout of the main house, raises doubts about his own possible involvement. Brigadiere questions the inspector's motives as the case becomes entangled with personal history. The dynamic between the two officers becomes a critical tension point.

Main house
8

Judge demands conclusive evidence

The judge insists that the police provide cast-iron evidence if any case is to move forward, dismissing mere conjecture. This prompt tension influences how the investigation proceeds and places pressure on officials to produce solid proof. The political and legal pressure complicates the inquiry.

Courtroom and police HQ
9

Arrival of the ambassador's widow and son

The estranged widow and son arrive at the scene, revealing a deep family rift. They reveal tensions and dependence on the local parish priest Don Cricco to oversee the family properties in the area. Their presence reframes the motive and potential alignments, as family dynamics intersect with property control.

Ambassador's estate and parish surroundings
10

Parish priest Don Cricco's role

The parish priest Don Cricco is revealed as the overseer of the mostly abandoned family properties, highlighting how the church and local administration intersect with the case. His influence hints at hidden networks and possible protective silence around wrongdoing. The priest's position adds social context to the investigation.

Local parish and estates
11

Fatal confrontation ends in an accident

The film culminates in an accident where the Inspector and Brigadiere exchange pistol shots, killing the Inspector. The police call it an accident, but the fatal confrontation seals the tragedy and leaves the truth unresolved. The ending blurs moral lines and questions accountability within the force.

Road or countryside near the farmhouse

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:00

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A Simple Story Summary

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A Simple Story Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Simple Story

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Simple Story

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