Elio Petri Movies

A junior executive (Giancarlo Giannini) is exasperated with his sexually repressed wife (Angela Molina) in this black comedy dripping with satire. The couple later ends up in bed with the man's mistress (Ombretta Colli) for a menage a trois. The man is pestered by his frantic friend Gualitiero (Paolo Bonacelli), who is convinced that someone is out to kill him. Ada (Aurore Clement) is the worried man's nymphomaniacal wife who is always on the outlook for some kinky sex. The theme is that human triviality and hang-ups hamper the quests of basic needs that can lead to a satisfying existence. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Italian Director Elio Petri, best known for his film Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion, here tells a complicated tale about a bank clerk who is literally allergic to money. Not only that, the clerk (Flavio Bucci) doesn't like the effect money has on people. For some reason, he steals things from a dishonest butcher (Ugo Tognazzi). This gives the butcher a convenient opportunity to file huge insurance claims for the thefts. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Better known as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, this Oscar-winning political drama stars Gian Maria Volonte as the citizen of the title, an unnamed police inspector. The story finds the inspector calmly cutting his mistress' throat, then planting evidence that will clear him of accusation -- and attempting to evade arrest by virtue of his "clean" public image. Elio Petri's own anti-establishment stance was never more pronounced than in this film, where the truth is whatever the ruling class chooses to acknowledge. The original Italian title of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion was Indagine su un Cittadino al di Sopra di Ogna Sospetto. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Paolo Giana Maria Volonte is a lonely teacher who learns that two of his friends have been murdered in this twisting crime drama. He discovers that the victims were the recipients of threatening, anonymous letters. Paolo falls for Louisa Irene Papas, the widow of one of the dead men. He finds out too late that she may have been an accomplice to the murder when he learns she may be having an affair with a local man of importance. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Based on an interesting plot from a novel by Robert Sheckley, this movie features tongue-in-cheek performances by Andress and Mastroianni, which are responsible for its status as a minor cult favorite. Set in the 21st century, this science fiction movie depicts a society in which population control is facilitated by the use of legalized murder. The society plays an assassination game for fun, in which the last person left alive is the winner. The movie is made for entertainment, but there are some sexual situations. ~ All Movie Guide

Mombelli (Alberto Sordi) is an elementary school teacher whose wife Ada (Claire Bloom) dreams of becoming wealthy. She talks him into quitting his job and investing all of their money in a shoe factory. The family and the business fall apart when Ada is killed in a car wreck, and the colorless Mombelli has no choice but to return to his dull world of academia. Vito de Taranto plays the schoolmaster in a role that is a cardboard caricature. Although Sordi injects some satire and comedy into his role, his performance isn't enough to overcome this meandering feature that often gets bogged down. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

In this amusing look at the petty deceits of everyday life, Marcello Mastroianni shines as wealthy antique dealer Nello Poletti, a man with every comfort money can buy. One day, however, Poletti is falsely accused of murdering his former mistress (Micheline Presle), who set him up in a life of luxury only to be cast aside in favor of a younger woman (Cristina Gajoni). The evidence seems overwhelming, and Poletti is sent to jail, where he reflects on his shameful life of deceit in pursuit of wealth. Overcome by guilt, Poletti decides to confess, only to discover that the real killer -- a spurned lover -- has already been apprehended. Once he is off the hook, Poletti returns to his original pattern of fast cars and fast women, even jokingly referring to himself as "The Assassin," and proving that he has learned absolutely nothing from his ordeal. The story is fairly predictable, but is never less than entertaining, thanks to a clever screenplay by director Elio Petri, Tonino Guerra, Pasquale Festa Campanile, and Massimo Franciosa. Petri (making his directorial debut) gets the most out of his talented cast, particularly Mastroianni, and there are some nice supporting turns by veteran character actors Salvo Randone, Andrea Checchi, and Enrico Maria Salerno. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

This drama, loosely based on the legend of the "Hunchback," is set in Rome, 1944. The story begins as the Hunchback, a leader of the Resistance rapes a Nazi collaborator's daughter. Later he falls in love with her. As he is trying to steal arms from a Nazi arsenal, the Germans shoot the Hunchback. He ends up hiding in her house where he kills her father. He is soon captured and tortured by the Fascists. Meanwhile, the hapless girl miscarries her child and becomes a prostitute. Later the Hunchback and his 150 Resistance fighters take over a Roman suburb and attempt to liberate the town whores from a life of prostitution. His attempts fail. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

When a woman is found murdered, her lover is accused in this crime comedy. (AKA The Assassin) ~ All Movie Guide