The Lion of St. Mark

The Lion of St. Mark

Year: 1963

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Luigi Capuano

ActionAdventure

In 1620 pirates are terrorizing the Adriatic coast. Our hero sets out to defeat them.

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Timeline – The Lion of St. Mark (1963)

Trace every key event in The Lion of St. Mark (1963) 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

Ball at the Doge's palace: betrothal and ambassador appointment

The Doge hosts a lavish ball in Venice to celebrate Manrico's betrothal to Lady Isabella Fiesci and the Doge's upcoming appointment as ambassador to France. Manrico resents the arranged match, while his uncle Gualtiero supports him against the Doge. The celebration masks mounting political and personal tensions as pirates threaten the city.

Venice, circa 1620 Doge's Palace, Venice
2

Pirate raid shatters the ball

A gang of Skokian pirates led by Titta and Rossana crash the party, stripping guests of valuables and sending the ball into chaos. Venice's mercenary troops under Captain Ostenburg fail to catch them, exposing the city’s vulnerabilities. The raid convinces Manrico that resistance is necessary.

Venice, 1620 Doge's Palace vicinity, Venice
3

Manrico becomes The Lion of Saint Mark

Angered by Venice's failure to protect its people, Manrico takes up arms and forms his own resistance. He adopts the masked identity The Lion of Saint Mark and leads daring sorties against the pirate gangs. He becomes a symbol of hope for the Venetians.

Venice, 1620 Venice
4

Ostenburg captures Rossana; Titta escapes

Ostenburg discovers a pirate camp and captures Rossana, while Titta escapes. The capture raises the personal stakes for Manrico and tests his resolve to protect Rossana. The resistance extends beyond political duty to matters of love and loyalty.

Venice region, 1620 Pirate camp near Venice
5

Manrico secures Rossana's safety and trust

Manrico wins Ostenburg's trust by sheltering Rossana under his watch and then releases her, hoping to win her loyalty with mercy. This unexpected mercy deepens their fragile bond. Rossana's affections begin to tilt toward him.

Venice, 1620 Venice
6

Vipera discovers the liaison and identity

Rossana's daring escape draws suspicion, and Vipera is sent after her. He uncovers the liaison and identifies Manrico, threatening their precarious alliance. The dramatic chase tightens the web of loyalties around the couple.

Venice, 1620 Venice outskirts
7

Infiltration plan for the Feast of the Redeemer

Before the Feast of the Redeemer, Titta, Rossana, and Vipera plan to infiltrate the Fieschi ball to kidnap Manrico and force the Doge and Venice to bow to their will. Their scheme depends on the ball’s glittering spectacle to mask the abduction. The stage is set for a dramatic confrontation during a night of celebration.

Feast of the Redeemer, 1620 Fieschi ball, Venice
8

Ball night: disguise, arrest, and rescue

At the ball, Manrico appears in disguise as the Lion of Saint Mark. Rossana warns him of the plan, and Ostenburg recognizes her and arrests her, but Jandolo, disguised as the Lion, bursts in and spirits her away.

Feast of the Redeemer, 1620 Fieschi ball, Venice
9

Jandolo rescues Rossana; pursuit to Torcello

Titta and his men pursue Rossana and Manrico to her temporary refuge on Torcello, where they are forced to confront the pirates’ pursuit. The pirates' ambush interrupts their fragile safety, testing loyalties and resolve.

1620 Torcello, Venice lagoon
10

Manrico's reveal and Rossana's rejection

After the skirmish, Manrico confesses to Rossana that he is the Lion of Saint Mark, a revelation that disgusts her and leads her to decline his marriage proposal to rejoin Titta. The personal costs of their saga become clear as romance collides with duty. The couple's future hangs in the balance.

1620 Torcello and Venice
11

Ostenburg plans coastal assault on Ragusa

With reinforcements, Ostenburg prepares to assault the pirates' stronghold in Ragusa from the sea, while Manrico plans to infiltrate the landward side to breach the wall. The stage is set for a coordinated assault that could tilt the war in Venice's favor. Strategy and courage drive the impending battle.

1620 Ragusa coast
12

Powder fuse lights the breach; siege turns Venetian

As the attack commences, Rossana lights a fuse to the powder magazine, creating the breach through which Manrico's allies can overwhelm Titta and his pirates. The daring move shifts the momentum of the siege in Venice's favor. The tight coordination between land and sea operations proves decisive.

1620 Ragusa coast
13

Gualtiero adopts Rossana; the marriage seals the victory

To spare Rossana punishment for piracy, Gualtiero adopts her as his daughter, ensuring she and Manrico can marry. The gesture reconciles personal loyalties with political aims, sealing Manrico's victory and the couple's union. The city celebrates a hard-won peace and unity between family and state.

1620 Venice

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:28

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The Lion of St. Mark Summary

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