Rome, March 1978. Aldo Moro, president of the Christian Democrats, has been freed by the Red Brigades and now peers with inclement eyes at his party comrades gathered at the bedside of his hospital bed: Giulio Andreotti, Francesco Cossiga and party secretary Benigno Zaccagnini. Outside, street clashes raged. In reality, Aldo Moro has not yet been kidnapped and is instead working to bring about the first unity government in Republican history with the outside support of the Italian Communist Party.

Francesco Cossiga, newly appointed minister of the Interior, chairs the council of war convened in the wake of Moro's kidnapping. Domenico Spinella, head of the Digos, would like to involve PCI security officials in the investigation. Meanwhile, Brigatist Faranda is recognized by multiple witnesses. In the sweeping checks that follow, police officers arrive as far as the Via Gradoli hideout.

Monsignor Curioni approaches one of the lawyers from the historic nucleus of the R.B. so that he can act as an intermediary: he would like to unofficially enter into negotiations with Moro's kidnappers on behalf of Pope Paul VI, who is willing to pay a large ransom in order to free the friendly politician. Through Cardinal Casaroli, Paul VI also probes the state's opinion on the possibility of paying a cash ransom.

Between 1976 and 1978 Adriana Faranda embraced the revolutionary cause of the R.B., abandoned her daughter, and went into hiding together with her partner, Valerio Morucci. Joining the "Roman column," she participated in Moro's kidnapping and became the relay girl who delivered the R.B. communiqués to the newspapers.

Eleonora Moro greets the news of her husband's kidnapping with despair but extreme dignity and closes herself and her children in absolute secrecy, trusting in the apparatus of the state to save her husband. Despite political reassurances, the woman gradually realizes that her husband is in danger of being "sacrificed" and asks the Pope for help.

A priest is brought by the brigatists in great secrecy to the Via Montalcini hideout where Moro is being held. The DC president confesses his fierce hatred for some of his party "friends," primarily Andreotti. On May 9, 1978, Moro is loaded into the trunk of a red Renault 4 and killed.