The Assassin [L’Assassino] *** (1961, Marcello Mastroianni, Micheline Presle, Cristina Gaioni, Salvo Randone, Andrea Checci) – Classic Movie Review 8609

Director Elio Petri’s 1961 Italian black and white crime thriller The Assassin [L’Assassino] [The Ladykiller of Rome] stars Marcello Mastroianni as rich but dodgy antiques dealer Alfredo Martelli, who is arrested and accused of murdering  his older wealthy mistress Adalgisa De Matteis (Micheline Presle), in this well-plotted, enjoyable character study of an Italian scoundrel.

The sometimes comic, sometimes chilling screenplay takes a perceptive look at Italian police shortcomings and corruption of the day.

Also in the cast are Cristina Gaioni as Martelli’s young lover Nicoletta Nogaro, Salvo Randone as Inspector Palumbo who questions Martelli, Andrea Checci, Mac Ronay, Max Cartier, Giovanna Gagliardo and Enrico Mario Salerno.

The Assassin [L’Assassino] [The Ladykiller of Rome] is directed by Elio Petri, runs 105 minutes, is made by Titanus, Vides Cinematografica and Société Générale de Cinématographie (SGC), is released by Titanus (1961) (Italy), Connoisseur Film (1963) (UK) and Pan World (1965) (US), is written by Elio Petri, Tonino Guerra, Massimo Franciosa and Pasquale Festa Campanile, based on a story by Elio Petri and Tonino Guerra, is shot in black and white by Carlo di Palma, is produced by Franco Cristaldi and is scored by Piero Piccioni.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8609

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