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The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) movie poster

Timeline

The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1971 · 115 min · Italian
JustWatch #8,509 5
Directed by
Dario Argento
Starring
Karl Malden, Rada Rassimov, Aldo Reggiani, Carlo Alighiero, Catherine Spaak, Horst Frank

A determined journalist joins forces with a gifted, blind cryptologist to investigate a perplexing case. They find themselves entangled in a complex mystery surrounding a killer whose crimes are linked to unusual genetic anomalies. As they delve deeper, they must decipher clues and confront danger to expose the truth behind the sinister plot.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971)

Where can you watch The Cat o' Nine Tails? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, ARROW and Artiflix: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Cat o' Nine Tails Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Intruder at Terzi Institute

    An unknown individual infiltrates the Terzi Medical Institute during the night, leaving the staff bewildered. Notably, the break-in occurs without any apparent theft, raising suspicions about the intruder's true intent.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Terzi Medical Institute
  2. Dr. Calabresi's Confession

    Dr. Calabresi confides in his fiancée, Bianca Merusi, sharing his knowledge about the intruder's identity and motivations. This revelation sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation that ultimately leads to his tragic demise.

  3. Calabresi's Fatal Encounter

    In a shocking twist, Dr. Calabresi attempts to blackmail the intruder, leading to a deadly confrontation. The thief reacts violently, pushing Calabresi into the path of an oncoming train, resulting in his untimely death.

    Where
    Train Station
  4. Paparazzi Captures Tragedy

    A paparazzi photographer captures the horrifying moment of Dr. Calabresi's death, although the identity of the killer remains a mystery. The photograph becomes a crucial piece of evidence in the unfolding investigation.

    Where
    Train Station
  5. Reporter Coverage

    Reporter Carlo Giordani documents the tragic events surrounding the break-in and Calabresi's death in a gripping article. His piece, featuring the damning photograph, draws attention to the dark undercurrents linking the event to potential foul play.

  6. Franco and Lori's Visit

    Franco 'Cookie' Arnò, a blind former star reporter, along with his niece Lori, visit Carlo after reading his article. Franco's instincts kick in as he suspects that the altered photograph may hide deeper truths about the incident.

  7. Photographer's Murder

    In a turn of events, the photographer who captured Calabresi's death is murdered before Franco and Carlo can investigate the photograph further. This leads them to understand the dangerous implications of their findings.

  8. Investigating Leads

    Franco and Carlo outline a strategy to tackle nine leads connected to the case, including the scientists at the institute and Terzi's daughter Anna. Their discussion hints at the complexity of the investigation, which they compare to a challenging puzzle.

  9. XYY Syndrome Investigation

    During an interview with Anna, it is revealed that the institute is researching 'XYY syndrome,' a chromosome with implications for criminal behavior. This discovery introduces a new layer of complexity to the unfolding mystery.

    Where
    Terzi Medical Institute
  10. Bianca's Discovery

    Bianca investigates Calabresi's car and uncovers a note that could identify the killer. She decides to hide the note within her locket for safekeeping, unaware that this choice puts her in imminent danger.

    Where
    Calabresi's Car
  11. Bianca's Demise

    Tragically, Bianca becomes a target as the killer finds her at home. Strangled and her belongings ransacked, the thief searches for the concealed note, showcasing the lengths to which the murderer will go to protect his secrets.

    Where
    Bianca's Home
  12. Carlo and Franco Under Threat

    Despite receiving threatening communications from the murderer, Carlo and Franco remain determined to bring the case to light. They uncover crucial connections among the remaining doctors, heightening the tension of the investigation.

  13. Dr. Braun's Murder

    In a devastating development, Carlo discovers Dr. Braun’s lifeless body, intensifying their fear that the murderer is actively eliminating witnesses. The stakes are raised as Carlo and Franco grapple with the ever-growing danger surrounding them.

  14. Crypt Confrontation

    During a chaotic search for Bianca's locket in her crypt, Franco and Carlo confront the murderer who locks Carlo inside. This deadly standoff reveals the killer's desperation, resulting in a violent altercation outside.

    Where
    Cemetery
  15. Rescue and Revenge

    In a climactic showdown, Franco corners Casoni, who confesses to his motives behind the break-in related to XYY research. As Franco avenges the harm done to Lori, Casoni is brought to justice, highlighting the film's theme of retribution.

    Where
    Terzi Medical Institute

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:39

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Timeline questions answered

The Cat o' Nine Tails Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Dr. Calabresi try to blackmail the intruder?

Dr. Calabresi knew the identity of the intruder and attempted to blackmail him for financial gain. He confided this to his fiancée Bianca before confronting the burglar, but his greed proved fatal when the intruder pushed him onto the train tracks to silence him.

  • calabresi
  • blackmail
  • intruder
  • motive
  • death
Q2

Why didn't the intruder steal anything from the institute?

The intruder wasn't there to steal property. Dr. Casoni broke into the institute to destroy his personal testing records related to the XYY chromosome research. He needed to eliminate evidence that connected him to the genetic study, as the findings could have exposed his own genetic profile and ruined his career.

  • break-in
  • xyy
  • records
  • destroyed
  • research
Q3

What is XYY syndrome and why does it matter in the movie?

XYY syndrome is a genetic condition where males have an extra Y chromosome. The Terzi Institute was researching whether the XYY chromosome correlates with criminal behavior. This research was highly sensitive because if published, it could label carriers as genetically predisposed to crime. Dr. Casoni was a subject in this study and desperately wanted his records destroyed to prevent his secret from being exposed.

Foreshadowing: Anna mentions the institute studies XYY syndrome and its link to criminal behavior early in the investigation.

  • xyy syndrome
  • chromosome
  • genetic research
  • criminal behavior
  • scientists
Q4

Why was Bianca Merusi killed?

Bianca was killed because she discovered a note in Dr. Calabresi's car that could identify the intruder. She hid the note inside her locket for safekeeping, but the killer suspected she had evidence and strangled her while searching her belongings. The killer never found the note because it remained hidden in her locket, buried with her.

Foreshadowing: Lori notices Bianca nervously fiddling with her locket during their meeting, hinting at its importance.

  • bianca
  • locket
  • note
  • killer
  • murdered
Q5

Who killed Dr. Braun?

Dr. Casoni killed Dr. Braun. As the investigation closed in and the other scientists were being questioned, Casoni eliminated witnesses who knew about the XYY research. Braun was murdered to prevent him from revealing information about the genetic study that would implicate Casoni as both a researcher and a subject.

  • braun
  • murder
  • casoni
  • eliminated
  • witness
Q6

What was wrong with the photograph of Calabresi's death?

The paparazzi photograph showing Calabresi's death had been digitally altered. Franco suspected this from the start, and the photographer confirmed it before being murdered. The altered image obscured the killer's identity, protecting the murderer. This altered photograph was the initial clue that convinced Carlo to partner with Franco on the investigation.

Foreshadowing: Franco's instinct about the photograph being altered comes immediately after he and Lori visit Carlo about the published article.

  • photograph
  • altered
  • calabresi
  • evidence
  • forgery
Q7

Why did the killer target the scientists at the institute?

The killer targeted scientists who knew about the XYY research because they represented a threat to exposing his identity. Each scientist either had knowledge of the research, access to records, or could identify the killer as a subject. By eliminating them, Casoni aimed to silence anyone who could connect him to the illegal genetic testing and his status as an XYY carrier.

  • scientists
  • killer
  • xyy research
  • elimination
  • cover-up
Q8

How did Franco and Carlo figure out Casoni was the killer?

Franco deduced that Bianca's death meant the killer believed she possessed incriminating evidence. Remembering Lori's observation about Bianca's locket, Franco concluded the note was hidden there. While searching the crypt, the confrontation revealed Casoni as the attacker. Later, at the institute, Casoni confessed that his break-in was motivated by wanting to destroy his XYY testing records, confirming his guilt.

Foreshadowing: Lori mentions noticing Bianca nervously playing with her locket, which becomes the crucial clue Franco uses to locate the hidden note.

  • casoni
  • confession
  • xyy records
  • motive
  • identification
Q9

Why did the killer kidnap Lori?

Casoni kidnapped Lori to use her as a hostage and prevent Franco and Carlo from capturing him. With Lori held at the Terzi Institute, the killer forced the protagonists into a dangerous situation where they had to alert police while trying to rescue her. This was Casoni's desperate attempt to escape after being wounded by Franco during the crypt confrontation.

  • lori
  • kidnap
  • hostage
  • casoni
  • escape
Q10

What does the title 'Cat o' Nine Tails' refer to in the movie?

Franco and Carlo joke that their investigation resembles a 'cat o' nine tails' - an old term for a multi-tailed whip. This refers to the nine leads they must pursue: five scientists, Terzi's daughter Anna, Bianca, the initial break-in, and the missing photographs. The complex web of clues mirrors the interwoven strands of the whip, making the investigation feel like an intricate puzzle they must unravel.

  • cat nine tails
  • nine leads
  • investigation
  • puzzle
  • metaphor

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Cat o' Nine Tails, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Cat o' Nine Tails tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Thrillers with investigative duos like The Cat o' Nine Tails

Two unlikely partners race against time to expose a dangerous conspiracy. Find movies like The Cat o' Nine Tails where a reporter and a specialist partner up to solve a complex mystery. If you enjoyed the dynamic between the blind cryptologist and the journalist, you'll appreciate these other suspenseful stories featuring investigative duos unraveling dangerous conspiracies.

  • tense
  • suspenseful
  • paranoid
  • investigative
  • gritty
  • methodical
  • Tone: tense, paranoid, gritty
  • Pacing: steady, procedural
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with an inciting crime or puzzling event that draws two disparate characters into a joint investigation. The plot unfolds through a series of discoveries, red herrings, and confrontations, steadily raising the stakes as the duo gets closer to the core of a conspiracy that powerful forces want to keep buried. The relationship between the partners is a central pillar of the story.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a two-person investigative team facing a large-scale conspiracy. They share a 'TENSE' tone and 'STEADY' pacing, building suspense through procedural detail and the ever-present threat of the conspirators. The emotional weight often comes from the personal risks the duo takes.

Paranoid scientific thrillers like The Cat o' Nine Tails

Stories where dark secrets of scientific research lead to murderous consequences. Discover movies similar to The Cat o' Nine Tails that explore the dark side of science and genetic research. If you liked the tense atmosphere and the theme of a killer linked to a scientific institute's secrets, you'll find more gripping, paranoid thrillers about ethics, conspiracy, and murder here.

  • paranoid
  • anxious
  • gritty
  • ethical dilemma
  • conspiracy
  • scientific
  • Tone: tense, bleak, cynical
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist stumbling upon a seemingly respectable scientific or corporate institution that is hiding a terrible secret. The investigation reveals a direct link between advanced, often morally questionable, research and a series of crimes. The climax typically involves a confrontation that exposes the truth, but often at a great personal cost, resulting in a bittersweet or bleak resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of scientific conspiracy and the resulting paranoia. They share a 'COMPLEX' plot structure with intertwined ethical questions, a 'HIGH' intensity driven by the life-or-death stakes of the secret, and a 'TENSE' tone that reflects the characters' inability to know who to trust.

Every angle

The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Cat o' Nine Tails in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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