This film is Damiano Damiani's finest "mafia-film". He directed several movies of the crime-thriller-subgenre, which are all very interesting, but this one is a true masterpiece, with Gian Maria Volonté touchingly convincing as a policeman who uncovers corruption and begins to live in great fear for his life.

Mario Adorf is cool as always as a suspect attorney, and Damiani increases tension perfectly until the riveting climax. The realistic film is also very melancholy in a way, which makes it even more believable.

While Enzo G. Castellari's superb "La Polizia Incrimina, la Legge Assolve" is the crown of the Italian poliziotteschi (police thrillers) of the 1970s, this highly recommended film is the same for the Italian "mafia-film" of that period.

Italian cinema has deeply influenced world cinema through its socially conscious realism and modernist experimentation, but it also flourished in popular genres like peplum (sword & sandal), giallo thrillers, and broad comedies. Its narratives often weave together politics, contemporary social change, class consciousness, and family dynamics, balancing artistic ambition with entertainment that resonated widely.

Lamberto Maggiorani in Bicycle Thieves (1948)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Journey into the fears of the escort agent Graziano, guilty of knowing too much.

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Confessione di un commissario di polizia al procuratore della repubblica

Claudia Cardinale, Lee J. Cobb, Franco Nero, and Serge Reggiani in Mafia (1968)

Marcello Mastroianni, Gian Maria Volontè, and Mariangela Melato in Todo modo (1976)

Riccardo Cucciolla and Franco Nero in The Case Is Closed, Forget It (1971)

Giuliano Gemma and Eleonora Giorgi in A Man on His Knees (1979)

Martine Beswick, Klaus Kinski, and Gian Maria Volontè in A Bullet for the General (1967)

Gian Maria Volontè in I Am Afraid (1977)

Gian Maria Volontè and Erland Josephson in I Am Afraid (1977)

I Am Afraid

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