More than a decade after its release, the final episode of Il Capo dei Capi remains a teaching tool in Italian schools. It answers the question: Where does power lead?
Unlike American gangster films that end with a hail of bullets or a bloody baptism, Episode 6 ends with a whimper. Riina is not killed; he is ignored. He sits in a metal cage, screaming about honor while the judges walk away. The final shot is not of the boss, but of the empty streets of Palermo—free, finally, from the shadow of the capo dei capi.
For those typing "Il Capo dei Capi 6" into search engines, you are not just looking for a missing file. You are looking for the conclusion of a national trauma. You want to see justice done. And thankfully, in this rare case of art imitating life, justice arrives—quietly, legally, and inevitably.
If you have watched Episode 6 and are looking for similar content, consider exploring "Il Giovane Montalbano" for Sicilian atmosphere or "Suburra" for modern Roman organized crime. The search for the boss ends here.
The Italian miniseries Il Capo dei Capi (2007) concludes with its gripping sixth episode, titled "1988–1993," which chronicles the dramatic downfall of the Sicilian "Boss of Bosses," Totò Riina. This final chapter serves as the climax to a narrative spanning five decades, transitioning from the height of Riina's violent dominance to his eventual capture by Italian authorities. Plot Summary: The Fall of Totò Riina
The sixth episode begins in late 1980s Palermo as the Corleonesi family starts to fracture from within. While Biagio Schirò (Daniele Liotti) recovers from a near-fatal ambush, his lifelong pursuit of Riina becomes more personal than ever.
Judicial Battles: The episode highlights the struggle for the leadership of the Palermo investigating center, where the judge Antonino Meli is unexpectedly chosen over Giovanni Falcone, a move that initially hinders the anti-Mafia pool's effectiveness.
The Final Strike: As Riina’s ruthlessness escalates, leading to the tragic 1992 assassinations of judges Falcone and Borsellino, the state’s response intensifies.
The Arrest: The series concludes on January 15, 1993, with the historic capture of Riina after 23 years as a fugitive. The finale features a poignant confrontation in prison between Riina and Schirò, bringing their decades-long cat-and-mouse game to an end. Cast and Production Details
Produced by Taodue and aired on Canale 5, the series remains a benchmark for Italian crime drama. Totò Riina Claudio Gioè Biagio Schirò Daniele Liotti Bernardo Provenzano Salvatore Lazzaro Simona Cavallari Legacy of the Series
The final installment of the Italian miniseries Il Capo dei Capi
serves as a grim culmination of Salvatore "Totò" Riina’s violent rise to power, focusing on the years 1988 to 1993. This episode marks the transition from the Corleonesi's clandestine expansion to an all-out offensive against the Italian state. The Downfall of a Dictator
The narrative of the sixth episode centers on Riina’s increasing isolation and paranoia. While he successfully manipulates the high courts and orchestrates the kidnapping of the family of his childhood friend-turned-enemy, Biagio Schirò, his "invincibility" begins to crumble. The episode highlights the paradox of Riina’s life: a man who claims to value "family" and "tradition" while systematically destroying the very fabric of Sicilian society and his own inner circle. The War Against the State
A pivotal theme in this finale is the brutal campaign against the judiciary. The series depicts the tragic but heroic efforts of magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. The Strategy of Terror
: Riina orders the infamous Capaci and Via D'Amelio bombings to dismantle the anti-mafia pool. The Moral Contrast
: The episode juxtaposes Riina’s cold, calculated violence with the self-sacrifice of those who died defending the rule of law. The Turning Point
: These assassinations, intended to show strength, ultimately turn public opinion and the state’s resources decisively against the Corleone clan. The Legacy of Corleone
The series concludes not with a celebration of Riina’s power, but with the hollow reality of his life. Captured in 1993 after 23 years as a fugitive, he is shown as a man who achieved ultimate power only to spend the rest of his life in a small cell. The dialogue between Biagio and Totò at the end of the series serves as a final indictment of Riina's philosophy, contrasting a life spent in service of the community with one spent in the service of ego and bloodshed. Key Historical Figures Portrayed Fate in Episode 6 Salvatore Riina Capo dei Capi Arrested in January 1993 Biagio Schirò Fictional Cop Survives to witness Riina's capture Giovanni Falcone Magistrate Assassinated in the Capaci bombing Paolo Borsellino Magistrate Assassinated in the Via D'Amelio bombing Bernardo Provenzano Riina’s Second Goes into hiding to lead the clan
The 2007 Italian miniseries Il Capo dei Capi (also known as Corleone) is a gritty, six-part biographical drama that chronicles the rise and fall of Salvatore "Totò" Riina. Far from a glamorized Hollywood take, it offers a raw look at the ruthless "Boss of Bosses" who ruled the Sicilian Mafia for decades. A Decade-by-Decade Epic
The series is uniquely structured, with each of its six 90-minute episodes spanning roughly a decade of Riina’s life—from his impoverished childhood in Corleone in 1943 to his ultimate capture in 1993. This format allows viewers to witness the slow, chilling evolution of a young boy into a man who would eventually control the entire Cosa Nostra. The Cat-and-Mouse Core
At the heart of the story is the lifelong rivalry between Totò Riina (Claudio Gioè) and the fictional character Biagio Schirò (Daniele Liotti).
The Conflict: While Riina chooses a path of blood and power, his childhood friend Schirò chooses the law, becoming a dedicated policeman.
The stakes: This personal vendetta drives the narrative, representing the broader struggle between the state and the Mafia. Why It’s Worth the Watch Corleone (TV Mini Series 2007) - IMDb
If you are searching for Il Capo dei Capi 6 to watch online, here is the current status (as of 2025):
Warning: Avoid bootleg sites promising "Il Capo dei Capi 6 English subtitles – Uncut." Many of these are malware traps. The official DVD/Blu-ray release (Region 2) contains the authentic sixth episode with multiple audio tracks.
Fifty-seven days after Falcone’s death, the mafia strikes again. Episode 6 dedicates a harrowing ten-minute sequence to the murder of Judge Paolo Borsellino in Via D’Amelio, Palermo. Unlike typical crime dramas, Il Capo dei Capi does not glorify the violence. Instead, it focuses on the betrayal—the discovery that Riina’s men have infiltrated the police escort. This is the turning point where public outrage reaches a fever pitch.
With Totò Riina behind bars and the "Old World" crumbling, a quiet, ruthless tactician named Bernardo Provenzano attempts to save Cosa Nostra by making it invisible. But when a new generation of "Piciotti" demands blood over silence, a civil war threatens to destroy the very history the Capos tried to build.
