Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion

Release Date 1970-10-16

Runtime 111 minutes

Status Released

Overview

Rome, Italy. After committing a heinous crime, a senior police officer exposes evidence incriminating him because his moral commitment prevents him from circumventing the law and the social order it protects.

Budget $0

Revenue $0

Vote Average 8.176/10

Vote Count 822

Popularity 0.8614

Original Language it

Backdrop

What makes this movie Worth Watching

Set in post-war Italy, the movie reflects the societal unrest and moral decay during a time of economic recovery. It was one of the first Italian films to openly discuss police corruption and misconduct, making it a significant contribution to the political thriller genre.

Exceptional performances by Gian Maria Volonté and Elsa Martinelli, a complex and thought-provoking plot that explores corruption and morality, groundbreaking neorealist approach to filmmaking, and its enduring impact on Italian cinema.

Fun Facts

The character of Captain Moraldo, played by Gian Maria Volonté, is based on a real-life police officer who was accused of murdering his mistress. The movie was loosely inspired by the actual case, although many details were changed for dramatic effect.
The film's title, 'Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion', is a play on the term 'uomo sospetto', which in Italian law refers to a person who is officially under investigation. In the movie, Captain Moraldo uses this term to refer to himself.
The movie was directed by Elio Petri, who won an Academy Award for Best Director for this film in 1971.