We Still Kill the Old Way

We Still Kill the Old Way

Year: 1967

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Elio Petri

DramaCrimeMystery

Set on the island of Sicily, the story follows a left‑leaning professor who becomes obsessed with uncovering what really happened to two men slain during a hunting party. His investigation pits him against the entrenched power of the Mafia, the Church and corrupt politicians who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

We Still Kill the Old Way (1967) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at We Still Kill the Old Way (1967) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sultry hills of Sicily, a small town clings to its ancient rhythms while the invisible hand of powerful institutions—Mafia, Church, and local politics—presses ever closer. Sun‑baked streets echo with whispered rumors, and the sea’s distant sigh carries the weight of histories that refuse to be forgotten. The community’s veneer of hospitality masks a fragile balance, where loyalty is demanded as much as it is granted, and every conversation carries an undercurrent of unease.

Into this world steps Laurana, a left‑leaning university professor whose restless intellect refuses to accept the comfortable silence that settles over uncomfortable truths. A scholar by training, he has traded lecture halls for the dusty alleys of his hometown, driven by a belief that education should confront, not conceal, the forces that shape everyday life. His friends know him as a man of principle, his enemies as a persistent thorn in the side of entrenched authority.

When a hunting party ends in a mysterious tragedy—two men are found dead under puzzling circumstances—the town’s quiet is shattered. The incident becomes a catalyst for Laurana’s obsession: to untangle the knot of rumors, extortion notes, and half‑remembered testimonies that swirl around the event. He enlists the help of his lawyer companion, Rosello, and finds himself drawn into a delicate dance with Luisa, the widow whose grief and quiet resolve hint at deeper layers of the story. As he follows scattered clues—clippings from a Vatican newspaper, a missing diary page—the professor confronts the uneasy complicity that binds the community together.

What follows is a tense, atmospheric quest that pits intellectual curiosity against the opaque power structures that dominate the island. The film’s tone is built on simmering dread and moral ambiguity, inviting viewers to linger in the shadows of a place where truth is a dangerous commodity. In We Still Kill the Old Way, the pursuit of answers becomes a meditation on the cost of dissent in a society where history is both a weapon and a shield.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:23

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Obsessive thrillers about fighting corruption like in We Still Kill the Old Way

A lone investigator's quest for truth is systematically crushed by powerful, sinister forces.If you liked the tense atmosphere of We Still Kill the Old Way, you'll find similar movies here. These stories feature protagonists obsessively investigating a dark truth, only to be met with overwhelming opposition from corrupt institutions, leading to a feeling of grim inevitability.

paranoidsinisteroppressivegrittyanxiousfutileconspiratorial

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear investigation that deepens in paranoia and danger. The protagonist, often an outsider or intellectual, gradually realizes their pursuit is not just dangerous but futile against a deeply entrenched, unified opposition. The story arc is one of disillusionment and defeat.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared theme of an individual's moral crusade being brutally extinguished by collective, systemic power. They create a specific, cynical mood where the tension comes from watching a protagonist walk knowingly towards their own doom.

Moody crime dramas with a sinister atmosphere like We Still Kill the Old Way

Stories where the setting itself feels like a threat, oozing with moral decay and violence.Discover films that share the heavy, anxious mood of We Still Kill the Old Way. If you liked the film's portrayal of a community suffocated by the Mafia and corruption, you'll find similar gritty settings and stories of social decay here.

grittyoppressivesinisteranxiouscynicalcrime-riddenmoral decay

Narrative Summary

The plot is often a crime or mystery, but the primary focus is on the mood and the environment. Characters navigate a world where traditional morality is absent, and survival often requires complicity. The pacing is steady, building a sense of encroaching doom rather than frantic action.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films based on their shared visceral feeling—a palpable sense of place and mood. The similarities are less about specific plot points and more about the immersive, cynical, and threatening atmosphere that defines the viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of We Still Kill the Old Way

Don't stop at just watching — explore We Still Kill the Old Way in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what We Still Kill the Old Way is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

We Still Kill the Old Way Summary

Read a complete plot summary of We Still Kill the Old Way, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

We Still Kill the Old Way Summary

We Still Kill the Old Way Timeline

Track the full timeline of We Still Kill the Old Way with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

We Still Kill the Old Way Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Still Kill the Old Way

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape We Still Kill the Old Way. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Still Kill the Old Way

More About We Still Kill the Old Way

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about We Still Kill the Old Way: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About We Still Kill the Old Way

Similar Movies to We Still Kill the Old Way

Discover movies like We Still Kill the Old Way that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.