

Benito Mussolini's early career from his founding of the Fasci Italiani in 1919 up to the assassination of socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti in 1924 and his speech in Parliament on 3 January 1925.
Joe Wright
Sky Atlantic

Luca Marinelli
Benito Mussolini

Francesco Russo
Cesare Rossi

Barbara Chichiarelli
Margherita Sarfatti

Benedetta Cimatti
Rachele Mussolini

Gaetano Bruno
Giacomo Matteotti

Maurizio Lombardi
Emilio De Bono

Gianmarco Vettori
Dino Grandi

Massimo De Lorenzo
Alfredo Rocco

Fulvio Falzarano
Giovanni Giolitti

Amedeo Gullà
Augusto Malacria

1. Episode 1
Mussolini had just founded the Fasci di Combattimento when D'Annunzio took Fiume. Mussolini hoped to capitalize on the poet's achievement in the electoral arena.

2. Episode 2
The elections had decreed an absolute victory for the Socialists. Mussolini seemed finished, but landowners and industrialists sought his help against the strikes.

3. Episode 3
Upon entering parliament, Mussolini wanted to change: to be more strategic, diplomatic, a true statesman. But the Blackshirts rebelled.

4. Episode 4
Mussolini wants a new electoral law that would guarantee him an absolute majority. But Don Sturzo, the leader of the Catholics, opposes it.

5. Episode 5
Mussolini plans a new electoral law that will guarantee him the absolute majority, but he receives backlash from the leader of the Catholics.

6. Episode 6
Mussolini opens the party lists to turncoat politicians from other political parties. An early fascist leader, Forni, takes a stand against him.

7. Episode 7
Mussolini wins the elections by a landslide, but Matteotti, a socialist, demands their annulment, denouncing the Blackshirts' violence. Mussolini decides to teach him a lesson.

8. Episode 8
With the discovery of Matteotti's body and the arrest of his assassins, Mussolini is cornered. Will he be able to save himself and fascism?