Canio Silvestro was a Corporal in the Sicilian army. He later joined Salvatore Giuliano's band.
Biography[]
Becoming a corporal in the army some time in the 1940s, Silvestro was assigned to the barracks at Bellampo, which is where he first encountered Salvatore Giuliano, who spared him whilst freeing a number of captives, including Terranova and Passatempo, despite Silvestro attempting to kill him.
Defection[]
Silvestro at Giuliano's mercy.
For his failure at Bellampo, Silvestro was disgraced by the military and sought to join Giuliano's band. Whilst Giuliano was initially under suspicion, he agreed after the former Corporal informed them that Frisella, the local barber, was actually an informant, and participated in his execution. Silvestro worked loyally for Giuliano for many years until the band began to fall apart due to outside pressures, at which point Giuliano gave him permission to flee to England, where Silvestro had friends. Giuliano told him that unlike himself, Silvestro was naturally law abiding and could do well without living a dangerous life. They hugged and parted on good terms.
Behind the scenes[]
In the film, he is played by Michael Wincott.