The Conspirators (1969) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Cornacchia, a humble shoemaker and ally of the Carbonari, learns that Principe Filippo Spada plans to inform Captain Nardoni of the Pontifical Guard about the upcoming liberal uprising. Despite his low position in the revolutionary hierarchy, Cornacchia feels compelled to warn his friend Doctor Leonida Montanari, the conspiracy's leader, because the betrayal would doom the entire movement and get many revolutionaries killed.

• cornacchia
• spada
• betrayal
• carbonari
• warning

Montanari and Targhini attempt to silence the informer by confronting him directly, but they fail to deliver a fatal blow. The attack is clumsy and hasty, reflecting their desperation rather than professional assassination skills. Spada survives and immediately reports the assault to the authorities, which accelerates the collapse of the conspiracy.

• montanari
• targhini
• spada
• assassination
• failure

Spada survives the assassination attempt and immediately reports the incident to the Pontifical Guard. By going directly to Captain Nardoni, he not only reveals his attackers but also proves his loyalty to the authorities. This act secures his position and triggers the rapid arrest of the conspirators, fundamentally changing the course of the revolution's fate.

• spada
• police
• arrest
• carbonari
• denouncement

Giuditta Di Castro, Cornacchia's Jewish workshop assistant, initially had feelings for Montanari. However, while the conspirators are imprisoned, she gets to know Targhini, a newcomer from the Duchy of Modena. The proximity and shared circumstances during this tense period lead her to develop new feelings for him, unaware that Cornacchia himself harbors deep feelings for her.

• giuditta
• targhini
• montanari
• love triangle
• feelings

After Giuditta accuses him of cowardice for not acting to save the imprisoned conspirators, Cornacchia reveals his secret identity as Pasquino, the anonymous poet who writes satirical verses criticizing the Pope and government. His love for Giuditta motivates this confession, as he wants to prove his courage and worthiness of her respect.

• cornacchia
• pasquino
• identity
• poet
• satire

Rivarola pretends to accept Cornacchia's offer to reveal Pasquino's identity in exchange for the conspirators' lives. He gives Cornacchia a note to deliver to Captain Nardoni at Castel Sant'Angelo. The note actually orders Cornacchia's arrest. If Cornacchia protests, he would have to admit he can read, confirming the cardinal's suspicion that he is Pasquino. It's a clever trap that forces Cornacchia to either accept arrest or expose himself.

• rivarola
• note
• trap
• cornacchia
• arrest
• trick

Cornacchia composes a poem urging the authorities to hasten the executions, explaining that only the conspirators' deaths will awaken the people to the tyranny of the government. This seems paradoxical, but it's actually a calculated move: by appearing to support the authorities, Pasquino protects his own identity while hoping their deaths will spark public outrage against the regime. He then appoints Bellachioma as the new Pasquino to continue the satirical campaign.

• pasquino
• poem
• execution
• propaganda
• awaken people

After setting up Bellachioma as the new Pasquino and composing the provocative poem, Cornacchia realizes his identity is still at risk. To escape continued persecution from the authorities, he withdraws from public life and joins a convent. This allows him to hide from the authorities while the political drama unfolds without him.

• cornacchia
• convent
• hide
• escape
• persecution

When crowds storm Castel Sant'Angelo, Montanari initially believes they want to rescue the prisoners and start a revolt. However, he discovers that most ordinary Romans actually want the conspirators dead, viewing them as dangerous revolutionaries who threaten stability. This crushes any hope of popular uprising and highlights the complex relationship between the people and the revolutionary cause.

• crowds
• castel sant'angelo
• execution
• people
• revolt

A zealously devout friar is sent to persuade the condemned conspirators to repent, arguing that no one can be executed until their souls are saved. He uses this religious argument to buy time, genuinely believing he can prevent their deaths through spiritual means. When his pleas fail, he vows to absolve them anyway, showing his commitment to mercy over the state's justice.

• friar
• repent
• delay
• execution
• soul
• salvation

As Montanari faces execution in Piazza del Popolo, he gazes at the gathered citizens who have come to watch him die. His quiet farewell 'Good night, people' is a poignant moment that acknowledges both the crowd's presence and the failure of the revolution. It conveys a sense of resignation, melancholy, and perhaps a final plea for the people to eventually awaken to the truth of the regime's oppression.

• montanari
• good night people
• execution
• farewell
• piazza del popolo