Italy, March 16, 1978. Aldo Moro, president of Christian Democracy, the ruling party, is kidnapped by the extreme left-wing terrorist gang Red Brigades. While the criminals put him on trial and condemn him, the Italian government and Pope Paul VI pull their twisted strings to save his life.

After the shocking assassination of a labor lawyer, an Italian anti-terrorism unit races against time to stop the new incarnation of the Red Brigades from killing their next target — and strike fear at the heart of the State.