Coventry When people ask me why I'm so fanatic about Italian cinema, I always refer to the beautiful Gothic horrors of Mario Bava, the outrageous splatter flicks of Lucio Fulci, the virulent Poliziotesschi thrillers of Umberto Lenzi or the stylish Gialli of Dario Argento. Quite often, however, this still isn't sufficient to persuade them of the fact that Italy is the best film-producing country in history. Perhaps if I refer more directly to the political drama/thrillers of Eli Petri, and particularly "Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion", they will finally understand… "Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion" won the Academy Award for best foreign language film in 1971, but according to the data here on this website the film received another nomination in 1972 in the category "best original screenplay". I don't know how it's possible for the same film to get nominated in two different years, but I can state that winning a prize for the screenplay is even more justified and deserved than winning for the overall best film. The story and screenplay are definitely the most brilliant aspects of this movie. The basic story idea is perhaps even the most purely genius one that I have ever encountered; and I think I've seen more than 5.000 films… The plot is about a police detective, formerly homicide department but now promoted to political supervision squad, who kills his mistress in cold blood and deliberately leaves all sorts of clues (fingerprints, footprints, clothing fibers…) behind in the apartment that unmistakably lead to him as the culprit. Why? Because he's convinced that he will get away with this murder and never get arrested regardless of how obviously all the evidence points towards him. And why is that? Because, apart from being the most arrogant and obnoxious person in the world, 'Il Dottore' is also a very prominent, powerful and influential member of the community. … And the corrupt Italian political system simply doesn't allow for respectable citizens like him to be accused of filthy crimes such as murder. Perhaps it's just me, but I still get blown away myself every time I mention this plot concept to anyone! It's such a clever, courageous and 200% unconventional subject, and the incredibly gifted Elio Petri processed it into a harsh but unforgettable and intelligent thriller/satire. The film ends with a quote of Franz Kafka that sums up the whole thing quite neatly, but most viewers will already have made the comparison with Kafka earlier during the film as well. "Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion" certainly has a couple of defaults, but other and more essential aspects are impeccably brilliant. Notably the screenplay, as mentioned already, but surely also the unique performance of Gian Maria Volontè as "Il Dottore". Volontè depicts what is arguably the most loathsome and disturbing protagonist in cinematic history, and that includes serial killers, mass murderers and 10ft tall alien monsters! His arrogance and menace is unequaled and for that alone Volontè also should have received an Oscar. Florinda Bolkan as the victim, primarily appearing in flashback sequences, is terrific as well. She's sensual, playfully provocative and – in her own self- destructive fashion – even more powerful than "Il Dottore". Last but not least, there's another truly masterful score by Ennio Morricone. If the music initially seems goofy or misfit to the tone of the film, just bear with it and I guarantee that you'll be hooked on it forever after.

christopher-underwood Good solid political thriller from Elio Petri with an instantly recognisable score by Morricone. I sought this out with some energy having been stunned by the director's later, Property Is No Longer A Theft but i have to say I prefer the later film. This has less of the humour and some may prefer that it concentrates more directly on the politics. Gian Maria Volonte is impressive in the lead as the obsessed police chief with more than a hint of Mussolini about him. The central issue here, as implied by the title, is whether a person in a position of power and influence automatically attracts the support of the state. Here our half crazed chief, goaded by his girlfriend (the wonderful Florinda Bolkan) is so taken with the notion that he plays with it always tempted to push things so far just to prove the truth. To us as viewers, of course, this 'truth' is a travesty and confirms our feelings that here lies corruption very deep indeed. Rousing, worrying and well shot, just perhaps a little too driven for such a seeming simple notion.

FritzGerlich I first saw this movie in December 1969 in New York. Apparently it did not open in LA before the year ended and, as a consequence, won best foreign film for 1970 (Z won for 1969). In the 1990's sometime IFC aired the film and I was lucky enough to tape it and then transfer it to DVD.During the years following seeing the film, I would recommend the film to all my friends. What struck me when I had the chance to view it again was how well I had remembered the movie, every scene. Few, if any, movies ever made such a lasting impression from my first viewing and it still has that effect.Besides the great script and direction, what made it complete was one of the finest performances by an actor I've ever seen. It is up there with the greatest work of such as Olivier, O'Toole, Depardieu and Mastroianni, to name a few whose work was staggering.As to its unavailability, maybe someone should rattle IFC's cage asking them to air it again or maybe get TCM to air it.

mannequeen7317 First of all he deliberately kills Augusta Terzi to prove that he's untouchable, that's not an accident. You can discover along the film that there are many more reasons: he wants to test system ability to find and punish everyone who acts against State's power (it doesn't matter if you're a socialist or a killer), he wants to punish her as she's a decadent whore with no moral sense, he wants to punish one of her anarchic lovers, he wants to punish anarchy in general. This is a deep movie based on 70's Italian society, the "Brigate Rosse" and "State terrorism" period . In the main character you can find all the contrasts of that time.