Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion [Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto] **** (1970, Gian Maria Volontè, Florinda Bolkan, Gianni Santuccio) – Classic Movie Review 7622

Co-writer/ director Elio Petri’s admirable Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion [Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto] stars Gian Maria Volontè as a newly elevated police inspector in charge of murder investigations, who kills his mistress by cutting her throat and trusts that his powerful position means he is above suspicion and can forge the evidence to his heart’s content.

This admirably played thriller, which intelligently explores the elevation of legal power above moral law, is directed with great verve and style by Petri, with potent visuals and commanding music, though perhaps he does not always maintain quite enough tension. In compensation, Volonte is superb.

It is the winner of the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 1971 Academy Awards. Petri won the FIPRESCI Prize and the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1970.

Petri has a Director Cameo as Man sleeping during The Chief’s speech.

Also in the cast are Florinda Bolkan, Salvo Randone, Gianni Santuccio, Arturo Dominici, Orazio Orlando, Massimo Foschi, Vittorio Duse and Sergio Tramonti.

The writers are Elio Petri (story and screenplay) and Ugo Pirro (story and screenplay).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7622

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