2 February: a union protest of the Cornigliano metalworkers troubles the opening night of the Sanremo Festival. The host Pippo Baudo allows some activists to go on the stage and to read a press release. The next evening, during the performance of the band Queen as guest stars, Freddie Mercury sings designedly with the phone far from his mouth, revealing the playback. The contest is won by Albano and Romina with Ci sarà.[1]
Notti e nebbie (Nights and fogs) – by Marco Tullio Giordana, from the Carlo Castellaneta’s novel, with Umberto Orsini and Eleonora Giorgi; in 2 parts. It’s the tragic story, set in the Milan of 1944, of a RSI police officer, fanatic fascist and cruel persecutor of the partisans, but not entirely devoid of remorses and humanity.[3]
Western di cose nostre - by Pino Passalaqua, from a Leonardo Sciascia’s tale, script by Andrea Camilleri, with Domenico Modugno; in 2 parts. In 1916, an unsuspected apothecary carries on a personal revenge, putting two mafia gangs against each other.[4]
La piovra (The octopus) – by Damiano Damiani, script by Ennio De Concini, with Michele Placido, Barbara De Rossi, Florinda Bolkan and Flavio Bucci; 6 episodes. The superintendent Corrado Cattani, enquiring about the killing of a colleague and the drug traffic, has to fight against the omnipotent Sicilian mafia. The series, an effective mix of spectacle and civil engagement, gets an extraordinary public success, both in Italy (with 15 million viewers) and abroad, and has nine follow-ups.[6]
I racconti del maresciallo (The marechal's tales) – by Giovanni Soldati, from the stories of his father Mario; follow-up of the 1968 serial, with Arnoldo Foà in the role once of Turi Ferro.[7]
Sheridan Indagine sui sentimenti (Sheridan investigation about sentiments) – enquiry, in form of detective story, about the sentiments in the modern society, from the various forms of love to the sport and music passions. Final role for Ubaldo Lay who plays, for the last time, the Lieutenant Sheridan, become a private eye.[9]
Effetto video 8 – Professione reporter (Video 8 effect- Profession reporter) magazine by Aldo Bruno and Milena Gabanelli. The program uses an innovative method for Italy; every episode is realized by a free-lance journalist, working alone with a portable video camera (Video 8).[10]