Flyerplesys Perfectly adorable

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

SoftInloveRox Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Mark Turner I've praised the release of foreign films in the past, glad that many were now finally able to be seen by movie fans around the world. Movies that were made long ago and seen only by a handful of fans in the states fortunate enough to live close to a theater willing to book them are now available for all. In many cases the end result is seeing something that is classic, that stands the test of time and language. That doesn't quite happen with THE ASSASSIN.The movie tells the story of Alfredo Martelli (Marcello Mastroianni), an antiques dealer who is awakened one morning by the police and asked to come down to the station. No reason is provided but he complies only to find himself waiting an inordinate amount of time to find out what is going on. Eventually Inspector Palumbo (Salvo Randone) takes him to another room and apologizes for the delay.What appears to be a game of cat and mouse follows with Martelli eventually being told he is a suspect in the murder of Adalgisa De Matteis (Micheline Presle), a wealthy woman and Martelli's onetime partner. She also happened to be his mistress.The movie advances forward using two methods from here. One is in flashback sequences where we get to know the past history of the characters involved in Martelli's life, his relationships and methods of behaving in certain circumstances. The other is the shifting of locations as the Inspector takes Martelli to the crime scene and eventually places him in a jail cell while the investigation continues.Don't worry, no major spoiler here about his guilt or innocence. But the movie is more intent of looking at the lifestyle of the character of Martelli than being a whodunit, more focused on him and his actions past and present. Martelli is a user, a man who wants to elevate his status from his past and will do almost anything to make that happen. He's a cad when it comes to women, getting what he wants and moving on to another.Perhaps it's just the way movies were at that time in Italy, perhaps it is that something is definitely lost in translation or perhaps it's just that this type of movie just isn't meant for me. In the end while the film provided a look at a movie from Italy from that time period (1961) I found it fairly boring. The story never drew me in, I found no character to sympathize with and by the final credits found nothing of interest that would make me want to recommend this movie. Perhaps the only thing that would do so is to offer it as a good film for fans of this type of cinema, for fans of any and all things in the Italian film area or for fans of Mastroianni.Arrow Video does a wonderful job as always with their presentation here, no fault lies there. The print itself is a 2K digital restoration from the Cineteca di Bologna. Extras include LIO PETRI AND L'ASSASSINO an introduction by Italian cinema expert Pasquale Iannone (Petri was the films director), TONINO GUERRA: A POET IN THE MOVIES - Nicola Tranquillino's documentary about the great Italian screenwriter, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jay Shaw and in the first pressing only a booklet featuring writing on the film by Petri expert Camilla Zamboni, Petri's own critical analysis of the 1950s Italian cinema plus a selection of contemporary reviews.

Martin Bradley "L'Assassino" was Elio Petri's remarkably assured debut. It's a Kafkaesque story of a man, (Marcello Mastrioanni), under investigation for the murder of his former mistress, (Micheline Presle), The film flits back and forth between the investigation and events in Mastrioanni's past life. It's clear from the outset that what interests Petri isn't so much the prospect of making a thriller but dissecting the protagonist's way of life. This is the Italy of La Dolce Vita or at least the sweet life that was emerging for people like Mastrioanni if they could only keep themselves free of accusations of murder. This is one of his greatest performances but the film itself disappeared soon after its release and is now something of a cult film. Carlo Di Palma was responsible for the superb black and white cinematography.

Claudio Carvalho The antiquarian Alfredo Martelli (Marcello Mastroianni) is brought to the precinct without any explanation to be interviewed by the Police Inspector Palumbo (Salvo Randone). During the questioning, Martelli learns that his wealthy mistress Adalgisa De Matteis (Micheline Presle), who is older than he, was stabbed to death and he is the prime suspect of the police officers. While in jail, Martelli recalls moments of his life with Adalgisa and his love affair with the young Nicoletta Nogaro (Micheline Presle). Meanwhile the police proceed with the investigation."L'assassino" is a dated thriller by Elio Petri in his debut as director. The storyline slightly recalls Franz Kafka's "The Trial" where a man is arrested for an unspecified motive. Alfredo Martelli is a cynical man and the lack of communication between the characters keeps the atmosphere dark and gloomy. The black and white cinematography on the restored DVD is magnificent. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "O Assassino" ("The Assassin")

christopher-underwood First film of Elio Petri and it is very well made. Bit confusing at first as we seem to be seeing two Marcello Mastroianni until we realise that we are. Flashbacks are well to the fore in this noir like, Kafka-esque tale of a antique dealer, man about town played by Mastroianni. He has an older than he, lover and benefactor and a younger girl as well although his older lover seems to encourage this. Unfortunately she gets killed, he gets called in and the police reckon they have an open and shut case. Terrible scenes in a bare prison cell where he awaits his fate and he's joined by a couple of guys to keep him company, or rough him up, or incriminate him or something not too good. We are constantly having to try and determine whether this guy is the killer or not and just how wretched a person he is with his healing and dealing and his womanising and cadging of money. Petri engages us throughout and also encourages us to attempt to evaluate goodness and to sample police justice in action.