- The grim discovery took place in Altofonte, a village on the outskirts of Palermo
A severed horse head is left on a Sicilian businessman’s property in a scene straight out of the mafia blockbuster The Godfather.
Officers from the organized crime unit that specializes in rackets were called by the unknown construction contractor after he made the discovery of the grizzly in the cab of a bulldozer.
In the 1972 classic film, in which Marlon Brando plays Don Vito Corleone, a horse’s head is placed in the bed of ruthless film producer Jack Woltz after he refuses to give a role to Corleone’s godson.
Woltz’s gruesome blood-curdling screams as he sees his thoroughbred’s head have gone down in cinematic history and made the scene iconic – helped by Brando’s line, “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
The chilling real-life warning was made in Altofonte, a small village on the outskirts of Palermo in the mafia stronghold of Sicily, and didn’t end with the horse’s head.
Police also revealed that gangsters had brutally slaughtered a pregnant cow, removed the unborn calf and placed it on the animal’s body, a new menace.
A local newspaper described the gruesome discoveries as “scenes from a horror movie.”
The target of the attacks is said to be a well-known figure in his local community who regularly carries out construction work for municipalities.
The chilling real-life threat took place in Altofonte, a small village on the outskirts of Palermo
In the 1972 film classic, Marlon Brando plays the role of Don Vito Corleone
Altofonte Mayor Angela De Luca said: “I am shocked and simply cannot fathom the depth of depravity and barbarity.
“I would like to express my solidarity and that of my colleagues to the businessman who is a trusted member of the local community.
‘The entire city is deeply shocked by this gesture that seems to take us back to the Middle Ages because of its unacceptable methods. This is not a simple criminal gesture, it is barbaric.
“I place my faith and trust in the forces of law and order as they continue to work to understand what happened and identify those responsible for such a terrible act.”
Local politician Edy Tamajo denounced the “despicable act” and expressed his “strong condemnation.”
“This act of unprecedented brutality represents a mafia mentality that must be eradicated,” he said.
“It is essential that the Carabinieri and the judiciary fully investigate this episode and bring those responsible to justice.”
Woltz’s horrifying, blood-curdling screams when he sees the head of his beloved thoroughbred have gone down in cinematic history
President of the Order of Architects of the Province of Palermo, Iano Monaco, said in a statement that the association shared “solidarity and support for the entrepreneur who was the victim of violent intimidation,” and stood ready to help in any way possible.
A police spokesman said they were investigating the incident, checking CCTV footage and speaking to the businessman.
The Godfather was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and it was later revealed that a real horse head had been used in the film after it was obtained from a local slaughterhouse.
A year after its release, the film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Brando, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay, grossing nearly $300 million at the box office.
The Sicilian Mafia – known as the Cosa Nostra – became one of the largest and most powerful organized crime groups in the world since their beginnings in the 19th century.
Its bloody reputation has given way to more white-collar crime in recent years, avoiding murders that attract the attention of authorities.