The Working Class Go to Heaven [La Classe Operaia Va in Paradiso] ***** (1971, Gian Maria Volontè, Mariangela Melato, Gino Pernice) – Classic Movie Review 8607 –

Director Elio Petri’s 1971 film The Working Class Go to Heaven [La Classe Operaia Va in Paradiso] stars Gian Maria Volontè as factory worker Lulù Massa, who upsets his co-workers and mistress Lidia (Mariangela Melato) by determining to gain the company’s greatest output. After an accident, he leads the battle for improves work conditions.

Volonte gives a marvellous tour-de-force of a performance, and he is well supported by Melato, in Petri’s multi-textured, clever, thought-provoking film.

The Working Class Go to Heaven [La Classe Operaia Va in Paradiso] is the highly regarded Joint Palme D’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 1972 (tied with The Mattei Affair).

It was a good year for star Volontè, who received a Special Mention at Cannes for his role here, along with his main part in The Mattei Affair. The film won a David for Best Film (Miglior Film) at the David di Donatello awards (tied with Questa specie d’amore [1972]); and Melato won a Special David for best actress, and Melato won a Best Actress and Salvo Randone a Best Supporting Actor award from the Italian Film Journalists.

There were no awards or nominations from America or the UK.

In America it ended up with the title Lulu the Tool (1971).

Also in the cast are Gino Pernice, Salvo Randone and Donato Castellaneta.

The Working Class Go to Heaven [La Classe Operaia Va in Paradiso] is directed by Elio Petri, runs 125 minutes, is made by Euro International Film (EIA), is distributed by New Line Cinema (1975) (US), is written by Elio Petri and Ugo Pirro, is shot in Eastmancolor by Luigi Kuveiller, is produced by Ugo Tucci, is scored by Ennio Morricone, and is designed by Dante Ferretti.

It is the middle film in Petri’s Trilogy of Neurosis, starting with Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970) and ending with Property Is No Longer a Theft (1973).

Composer Morricone has a cameo.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8607

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