In 1984, a Maltese national treasure went missing from St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta — a masterpiece by the legendary Italian master, Caravaggio. Two years of investigations across Europe led to nothing, but a strong-willed priest never gave up. Father Marius Zerafa, then-director of national museums in Malta, managed to establish a channel of communication with the thieves and set off on a quest to recover the priceless painting. Despite not having the money to pay their ransom, he risked everything, putting his life on the line for the sake of a masterpiece.
Film Interviewees
- Fr. Marius Zerafa – Director Emeritus of National Museums, Malta
- Sandro Debono – Art Historian
- Dominic Cutajar – Former Curator, Museum of St. John’s Co-Cathedral
- Anthony Abela Medici – Malta Police Force Forensic Laboratories (Ret.)
- Charlene Vella – Art Historian
- Cynthia de Giorgio – St. John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation
- Ugo Mifsud Bonnici – Former Minister of Education and Culture & President of Malta (1994-99)
- Maurice Calleja – Armed Forces of Malta (Ret.)
- Siegfried Borg Cole – Defense Attorney
- Anthony Spagnol – Paintings Conservator
Secrets of the Dead: The Caravaggio Heist is a Malta Production Hub Ltd. film in association with Halo Pictures, in association with The WNET Group. Directed by Justin Farrugia. Written and produced by Engelbert Grech. Narrated by Jay O. Sanders. David Lawley and Emma Collin are executive producers. For Secrets of the Dead: Benjamin Phelps is supervising producer. Stephanie Carter is executive producer. Stephen Segaller is executive in charge.
The Caravaggio Heist was filmed on location in Malta, and produced with the participation of the Malta Film Commission through the Government of Malta.
Funding for Secrets of the Dead is provided by public television viewers.
