LâÂÂuomo senza memoria (translation: The Man Without a Memory), internationally released as Puzzle, is a 1974 Italian giallo film directed by Duccio Tessari. It was written by Ernesto Gastaldi. La Stampa defined the film as "full of ideas and with a strong storyline".
A man named "Smith", who has lost his memory, receives a telegram from his fiancée inviting him to Portofino after a yearâÂÂs absence. When he arrives, he discovers that his real name is "Ted"âÂÂand that his fiancée knew nothing about the telegram. Clearly, someone else has arranged the meeting.
Soon after, a man named "George" reveals to them that Ted is in possession of seven kilos of heroin worth a million dollars. Unless the drugs or the money are handed over within a week, both Ted and George will be killed. After repeated threats, Ted and his fiancée Sarah decide to flee to Paris. But during a farewell party with TedâÂÂs friend, Dr. Reinhart, Sarah breaks her leg in an car accident. Reinhart sets her leg in a cast, forcing her to remain at home.
While Sarah is recuperating, George sends her a message demanding that Ted meet him with the drugs in an abandoned villa. At the meeting, George realizes Ted still remembers nothing. Convinced they are both doomed, he tries to kill Ted in revengeâÂÂbut is himself killed. Moments later, a third man strikes Ted unconscious and imprisons him.
Meanwhile, a series of coincidences makes Sarah suspicious of her cast. When she cuts it open, she discovers the heroin hidden inside and realizes the âÂÂaccidentâ was staged as a cover to transport the drugsâÂÂwithout her or Ted ever knowing. At that moment, Reinhart returns home, sees that Sarah has uncovered the truth, and tries to kill her. In the struggle, TedâÂÂhaving escaped captivityâÂÂarrives, and Reinhart is killed in the confrontation. In the end, Ted turns himself in to the police, despite SarahâÂÂs desperate attempt to clear his name.