la gorgona (1942)

during the absence of the pisans, engaged in the struggle with the saracens who infest the mediterranean, a girl, called the 'gorgona', daughter of a notable of the city, is solemnly consecrated a national virgin and charged with feeding a votive lamp until the fighters return . an attractive young florentine, disappointed at not having been put in charge of the militias, takes his revenge by violating the virginity of the girl, who incidentally fell madly in love with him. when he realizes the true feelings of the girl, he takes his own life in remorse; but also the gorgona, who feels she has failed in the sacred, depressed and desperate delivery, throws herself from the top of a tower.