Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

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.

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.

Red-125 Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (1970), known in the US as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion is an film that begins with a great premise. The chief of homicide murders his mistress, then plants clues that implicate him in the crime. The chief has just been promoted to chief of the internal security squad, where he will oversee the activities of the branch of government that spies on students, labor unionists, and anyone else who questions that government's methods or goals. The film has two plots.One is the re-emergence of fascism in the guise of anti-terrorism, and the other is the events following the chief's brutal crime. Either of these themes could have been developed into an excellent film.The bad news is that the movie flounders in pop psychology, and ends up unsure of itself, of its point of view, and of its conclusion. Still, the protagonist--played by Gian Maria Volonté--is appropriately handsome in a brutal, unfeeling way, and his mistress--played by the Brazilian actress Florinda Bolkan--is appropriately beautiful in a disturbed and disturbing way.I went to see this film with high hopes, which were not realized.Too bad--Investigation of a Citizen started well, and could have been a winner.

big-montana Saw this film in New York at a revival. The tale of power and of right-wing/fascist politics corrupting is shockingly timely even today, in this time of global conflict, with enemies branded "unpatriotic."The movie portrays the moral corruption of Italian police and politics in the 1970's, with totalitarian tactics wrapped in patriotism. The movie's lead policeman is swept up in the power of position. Sadly, it's only too easy for me to believe his ability to use his position and power to manipulate people and place himself above "the law".The movie "looks" Italian and 1970's, with stark concrete and flat colors, which appealed to me. The story builds well, jumping backwards to fill in details, to climax in an alternate possible ending, very believable. I highly recommend it.