How one comes across can also be a mask. Old age and the toll it often takes can give folks like VE a “sad and tragic” appearance even when there is much more lurking beneath the saggy jowls, slack jaw or periodically dull expression we see in 2023-- physical traits that tend to evince a sympathetic response.

My own take-away from the documentary was that the *only* side of VE that was unquestionably not evil or sketchy was VE the devoted and much loved husband and father. Speaking of his family, it was interesting to note that there were no interviews with VE’s sisters, all of whom are still living. Also interesting was VE’s memory of his father King Umberto as a totally aloof figure - the very same man who went on to achieve popularity among exiled royalty as their smiling and charming Uncle Beppo. -Finally no gratuitous / titilating mention was made of VE’s immaculate conception by means of a turkey baster.