Open Doors (1990)

Tommaso Scalia is a man who commits three murders: he killed his superior who sacked him, he kills the man who replaced him, and he kills his own wife. He wants a quick trial and an early ... See full summary »

Director:

Gianni Amelio

Writers:

Gianni Amelio, Vincenzo Cerami

Stars:

Gian Maria Volontè, Ennio Fantastichini, Renato Carpentieri

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gian Maria Volontè	...	Judge Vito Di Francesco
Ennio Fantastichini	...	Tommaso Scalia
Renato Carpentieri	...	Console
Tuccio Musumeci	...	Lawyer Spatafora
Silverio Blasi	...	Attorney
Vitalba Andrea	...	Rosa Scalia
Giacomo Piperno	...	Prosecutor
Lidia Alfonsi	...	Marchesa Anna Pironti
Renzo Giovampietro	...	President Sanna
Antonio Appierto	...	Lo Prete
Nicola Badalucco	...	Dr. Canillo
Pietro Bertone	...	Juror
Turi Catanzaro	...	Juror
Francesco Gabriele	...	Juror
Domenico Gennaro	...	Man at cemetery

Storyline

Tommaso Scalia is a man who commits three murders: he killed his superior who sacked him, he kills the man who replaced him, and he kills his own wife. He wants a quick trial and an early execution, but an earnest, principled assistant judge looks for a way to save the murderer from being shot, because he does not belive in capital punishment. Although he manages to save the man initially, he will pay a high price for it.

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Plot Keywords:

political drama | courtroom drama | period film | political | murder investigation | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

29 March 1990 (Italy)

Also Known As:

As Portas da Justiça

Filming Locations:

De Paolis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross USA:

$123,470

Company Credits

Production Co:

Urania Film, Erre Produzioni, Istituto Luce-Italnoleggio Cinematografico

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the novel that inspired the movie, no details are given about Tommaso Scalia' sons. It is only told that he and his wife have three kids. In the movie they have one son who is named Leonardo after the name of Leonardo Sciascia, the author of the novel.

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Connections

Edited into Lo schermo a tre punte (1995)

User Reviews

Death Penalty in the Fascist Italy

On 10 March 1937, in Palermo, the clerk Tommaso Scalia (Ennio Fantastichini) that was the scapegoat for embezzlement in the Confederation Building kills with a bayonet his former chief, the lawyer Spadafora Vincenzo (Tuccio Musumeci), and his replacement, the accountant Speciale Antonio. Then he drives his car through a lonely road and rapes and executes his wife with a shot on her head. He goes to trial expecting to receive the capital punishment, but Judge Vito Di Francesco (Gian Maria Volonté) that is against the death penalty finds evidences that the murder has a passionate motive. However, the defendant wants to be executed by the firing squad in an eccentric situation.

"Porte Aperte" has the intention of discussing the capital punishment, using the Fascist Italy as background and a judge that does not agree with this sentence that serves to politicians but not to the citizens in his opinion. The theme is disclosed in slow pace and using a very unusual situation, with the defendant declaring himself guilty and wishing to be executed by the firing squad. Gian Maria Volonté has a great performance, as usual, but this movie is confused and boring. In Brazil, it was released on VHS by Top Tape Distributor. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "As Portas da Justiça" ("The Doors of the Justice")