After reading all these glowing praise filled reviews, I kind of feel like either I'm not very bright or I must have missed something.Don't get me wrong, the idea for the film is clever. I think though what it is about the movie that leaves me somewhat dissatisfied is, as another reviewer here mentioned, that it comes across as very one dimensional and one-note in it's presentation.People here are saying 'This is the greatest of Italian Cinema'... Well, I can immediately think of at least 10 Italian films right off the top that I like a HELL of a lot better than this one. There are some truly Classic Italian Gialli to die for, but that's just me... I guess I must apparently be missing something. Like many other reviewers here, I KNOW that the point of the film is that in a kind of Kafka-esque way the highly placed bureaucrat CANNOT get himself caught even though he is compelled to tell his men to 'do their job!' Thus the clear title of the film. And, as also mentioned here, I KNOW it is about the Fascism of the state, etc... So, the premise itself is indeed quite novel and interesting.I don't know... I just didn't really find it that entertaining personally. I thought what it was trying to get across was a good point, but EXTREMELY simple and not really that interesting, at least to me. And the soundtrack... EVERYONE is just about foaming at the mouth at how this is the BEST Morricone score EVER! Well, I don't see it. That annoying spring 'Boing' sound every frigg'n 20 seconds gets VERY, VERY old after a while. I found it annoying and not at all likable or 'Brilliant', sorry...And, although the performance of the lead character was excellent and he obviously did an outstanding job in his role, still, overall, I just couldn't get into the film at any level. There was nothing special I felt about the screenplay or dialog that was clever or memorable; I didn't find the overall plot or story that interesting, although the idea itself was rather unique and possibly COULD have been much more involving. It just came across to me like the same note being played over and over and over...It appears that in this case, just about every one else here is at odds with me about this movie, but what I primarily look for is whether a film is ENJOYABLE & ENTERTAINING; I'm afraid that I just don't feel that this was the case here. When I review films, I put that particular parameter FIRST above all others; in other words, no matter what the genre or even whether I particularly like it or not, I try to put myself in the place of the average movie-goer (or movie lover) and try to determine firstly if the film was truly entertaining or engaging in any way. And, after 2 long hours of this one, I just felt that I really wish I had chosen something else to watch...I admit, I may very well be missing the point of this movie. OR... possibly the particular style in which this film was made just simply doesn't resonate with me personally. So, the honest recommendation from me would be to suggest that you read numerous detailed reviews here to get a better overall picture of WHY many here DO like this movie and then judge for yourselves. But, I just wanted to include my personal take on it in case there are others who might possibly have a similar reaction to this film that I did...

Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto is probably the most original detective story ever made, since the protagonist is, at the same time, the only one who is really trying to solve the case AND the murderer.I have not spoiled anything: it happens right at the beginning. An Italian police inspector (Volonté) murders his lover and, in a sort of challenge towards the law, leaves many clues incriminating himself; while his colleagues investigate the case, he begins showing up where he isn't supposed to, mentioning details he should keep quiet about and, in general, trying to prove how a person in his position will always be sure of his impunity, regardless of what he does. The social satire is bitterly effective. For example, there is a brilliant little scene between the protagonist and his chief. With fake naiveté the inspector admits he knew the victim, and asks the chief if he should mention it to the detectives following the case. There is a brief pause and then the chief, with a smug and vastly amused grin, lets the matter drop, shakes hand with the inspector and wishes him a good day. It's wonderfully subtle.The best scene, however, has to be the interrogation of a seedy youth who suspects the protagonist but refuses to cooperate with the police. The contrast between the inspector's spoken words ("You are a democratic citizen! And I must respect you!") and his malevolent tone, body language and methods is spine-chilling.Gian Maria Volonté, best known outside Italy as the villain in the first two movies of Leone's Dollar Trilogy, carries the movie with an exceptional performance. His inspector is probably one of the most despicable main characters ever seen; and yet, his mesmerizing portrayal captures our attention. He is a complex, crazed individual: loud-mouthed, sardonic and obnoxiously jovial in public, but secretly cold, creepy and reptilian. An Oscar-worthy turn.8/10

"Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto" is one the best films of Elio Petri. This great director used to make films with a strong social content. This movie, which won an Oscar for the best foreign language film in 1970, stars Gian Maria Volonté -one of Petri's favorite actors.The story is about a fascist police boss, who accidentally kills his mistress during an erotic game. Fate wants him to lead the inquiry for this death. The policeman spreads everywhere clues for his guilt (!). He doesn't do that for justice, he only does this for proving to himself that he's untouchable.Gian Maria Volonté performance is memorable -as usual... He was a big actor, he could change from one role to the other like an extraordinary chameleon. The film has a solid structure, it is satirical and cynical. The sarcasm towards the police boss is also supported by an excellent musical score by Ennio Morricone.We miss films like this one, it's one of the examples of Italian masterpieces which aren't produced any more.

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.