The Astonishing True Story Behind One of Italy’s Most Famous Fugitives

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Massimo Carlotto. He grew up in Padua, Italy, with a love for life and a passion for justice. But little did he know that his life would soon be thrown into a tumultuous journey of wrongful imprisonment. The Fugitive (2003) is a film on Reveel that tells the true story of Massimo Carlotto in a unique way.

What is The Story in The Fugitive (2003)?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live life on the run? To be constantly looking over your shoulder, never feeling settled or safe? For Massimo Carlotto, this was a reality for much of his life. The movie The Fugitive (2003) focuses on the life of Massimo Carlotto while he is on the run. It follows his journey as he struggles to stay hidden and attempts to prove his innocence in the “Carlotto case”.

The logline reads: The true story of a man’s life that turns into a never-ending nightmare as he tries to prove his innocence. After years behind bars and half a decade on the run, this fugitive travels from Italy to France to Mexico to defeat the judicial system.

The True Story of Massimo Carlotto

In 1976, a young woman of only 25 years old, Margherita Magello, was tragically killed in her home. 19-year-old Massimo Carlotto stumbled onto her body after hearing her cries as she was bleeding out inside a wardrobe. While he was trying to save her, he got covered in her blood and ran away instead of reporting it quickly to the police. When he did report it, the police arrested him as they suspected him of being the murderer. Carlotto never stopped asserting his innocence.

Carlotto’s first trial went well and he was acquitted for lack of evidence by the Criminal Court of Padua. When the case was appealed, the court sentenced him to 18 years in prison. It became apparent to Carlotto’s lawyer that they were going to lose the case and the lawyer advised Carlotto to run away. And run away he did.

Carlotto became a fugitive. First, he stayed in France and then snuck away to Mexico. Three years later, Carlotto was captured in Mexico and brutally tortured in prison. He was then extradited back to Italy.

The Italian government sentenced Carlotto to prison to carry out his sentence. However, the Italian people were on Carlotto’s side. Although he continued to fight for his innocence, Carlotto’s appeals kept getting rejected. It wasn’t until 1993 that the Italian president decided to grant Massimo Carlotto an official pardon.

Carlotto began his writing journey while he was in prison and when he was released, he immediately wrote his autobiography. He has gone on to write several novels, which have become award winning books in many different countries. The true story of Massimo Carlotto is a testament to the power of justice, no matter how long it may take.

You can watch the film version of Massimo Carlotto’s life for free on Reveel.