SPOILER- Barabba
How did Barabba know that Lucia and Carmine Za' were coming along that road then?
Why didn't they realise it was a set-up and clear out immediately they saw the tractor?
Given the treachery among the crime gangs Barabba may well have had an informant. (Za might have been wiser to organise the three cars to be more spaced out.)
Yes - we viewers knew it was a staged halt along the road, ready for the oncoming ambush. In the Italian crime series 'Octopus' (on SBS Australia) the Mafia always used faked traffic accidents, broken-down vehicles, or road works as the site for their ambushes.
Still, overall, quite a very good film. The performance of Donatella Finocchiaro was really brilliant, and her every gesture seemed to be so suited to her role; in 2008 she won the Best Actress award at the Italian Film Festival for her role in this film.
"Given the treachery among the crime gangs Barabba may well have had an informant."
Certainly. There are films where we can take that for granted- I think we need to know more about relationships within the gangs in a film like this. Indeed, the information could have come from the police or magistrates. I'd wondered if I'd missed a twist in the plot here.
I don't share your enthusiasm for the film- I think it has major flaws, 'though the last few minutes are very good indeed, though I agree about Donatella Finocchiaro.
My review: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1071214/usercomments-1