Irpinia Earthquake 1980 Film: 90 Seconds of Tragedy

This film about the 1980 Irpinia earthquake tells the story of the tragedy of November 23 at 7:34 PM, when the earth began to tremble. First, houses, buildings, and churches collapsed. Ninety seconds later, entire towns had completely disappeared.

The Numbers of the Tragedy

The data speaks clearly: 2,735 victims, 8,848 injured, 687 municipalities affected, 37 municipalities destroyed, 80,000 houses collapsed, 300,000 houses damaged. Furthermore, 8,000 volunteers and 30,000 military personnel were sent to rescue the 234,960 homeless.

Before the Disaster: Daily Life

In open countryside, two young shepherds grazed their flock while reading a book of poetry. At the same time, a couple kissed in a Fiat 500, while some boys played football and others played billiards. Rosanna, meanwhile, argued with her father the mayor because she wanted to leave Irpinia for America. Maria, eighteen, also wanted to leave for Canada with her boyfriend Rocco, but her father was against it. Meanwhile, little seven-year-old Lucia desperately searched for her missing puppy together with her friend “the Poet.” He told her that the moon was strange—too big and too red—and the old men sitting at the bar noticed that the animals were agitated.

The Moment of the Earthquake

Sunday, November 23 at 7:34 PM, the earth began to tremble. The houses, the bars, the mayor’s office, and the church collapsed. Furthermore, the streets split open into chasms. From all the affected towns, a great cloud of smoke and dust rose, and fires broke out that illuminated the night.

The Search for Survivors

Once the violent tremor ended, desperate screams and cries began to be heard. Maria and Rocco had survived and ran into town searching for their families. Unfortunately, however, Rocco found his father dead, as were Maria’s father and little sister Lucia. During the night, it also began to snow.

The Rescue Efforts and Institutional Visits

From Italy and abroad, the first rescue teams arrived. Consequently, Rosanna was elected mayor in place of her deceased father. Later, President Sandro Pertini went to the disaster site. Pope John Paul II also arrived. Meanwhile, Rocco, Angelo, and Giuseppe decided to raid a truck carrying aid supplies to prevent them from disappearing without a trace. Baron Berger and his wife also helped out.

The Poet: Silent Witness

The Poet, after the shock of the earthquake, never spoke again. He could be seen wandering through the destroyed towns, always with Lucia’s teddy bear in hand. Indeed, he would be the eyewitness to the entire story.

Rebuilding Life: The Following Years

Many people began to emigrate to find a better life. Rocco also wanted to leave, but Maria managed to dissuade him by giving him the news of her pregnancy. Finally, they managed to open their restaurant.

The 1990s: A New Generation

In Maria’s restaurant, her daughter Lucia noticed that her grandmother was depressed and invited her to move away, but the woman refused. Shortly after, Maria found her mother dead: she had let herself die from the sorrows she had suffered. Meanwhile, Erik, the baron’s grandson, fell in love with Lucia. In the meantime, Rocco and Maria finally decided to get married after 25 years.

Lucia’s Destiny

Erik proposed to Lucia to marry him and follow him to New York, where he had been admitted to an acting school. Lucia enthusiastically accepted. However, at the moment of departure, she realized that her destiny was in Irpinia and decided to stay. Finally, the Poet brought to little Lucia’s grave the teddy bear she had at the moment of her death. This film about the 1980 Irpinia earthquake is a tribute to the memory of the survivors and the victims.