The Day of the Owl

The Day of the Owl (Italian: Il giorno della civetta, released in the United States as Mafia) is a 1968 crime drama film directed by Damiano Damiani, based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Leonardo Sciascia, adapted for the screen by Damiani and Ugo Pirro. It stars Franco Nero, Claudia Cardinale, and Lee J. Cobb. Set in a small Sicilian town, the story follows a Carabinieri chief investigating a murder, hampered by the deep-seated presence of the Mafia that perpetuates a culture of silence. An Italian and French co-production, the film was shown in competition at the 1968 Berlin International Film Festival and won three David di Donatello Awards: Best Film, Best Actor for Franco Nero, and Best Actress for Claudia Cardinale.