The Grim Reaper (1962)

When a woman is killed in a park, the police bring in everyone suspected of being there when the incident occurred and question them. One of them is the killer.

Director:

Bernardo Bertolucci

Writers:

Pier Paolo Pasolini (story), Bernardo Bertolucci (screenplay)

Stars:

Francesco Ruiu, Giancarlo De Rosa, Vincenzo Ciccora

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Francesco Ruiu	...	Canticchia
Giancarlo De Rosa	...	Nino
Vincenzo Ciccora	...	Mayor
Alfredo Leggi	...	Bostelli
Gabriella Giorgelli	...	Esperia
Santina Lisio	...	Esperia's mother
Carlotta Barilli	...	Serenella
Ada Peragostini	...	Maria
Clorinda Celani	...	Soraya
Allen Midgette	...	Teodoro, the soldier
Renato Troiani	...	Natalino
Wanda Rocci	...	Prostitute (as Vanda Rocci)
Marisa Solinas	...	Bruna
Alvaro D'Ercole	...	Francolicchio
Romano Labate	...	Pipito

Storyline

Under a broad bridge on the ill-lit banks of Rome's silent Tiber River, a hapless prostitute lies dead. Six prime suspects and their distinctly different stories become inextricably intertwined, as an impoverished purse-snatcher; a suave former thief; two friends and penniless Casanovas; an impulsive young soldier, and a mysterious man in clogs tell their versions of what happened that fateful night near the quiet Paolino Park. Now, amid a heterogeneous group of potential killers, who all have something to hide, only one man is capable of such a hideous crime. Will he get away with murder so easily?

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Plot Keywords:

petty criminal | park | stolen handbag | dancing | directorial debut | 

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Taglines:

The brilliant first film from the highly regarded Bernardo Bertolucci, director of "The Last Emperor" and "Last Tango in Paris".

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #272.

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Connections

Featured in Great Directors (2009)

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Soundtracks

Come nasce un amore
Performed by Nico Fidenco

User Reviews

I Just Chanced on This

In the spirit of Rashomon, we have the idea of multiple versions of a tragedy, the beating death of a prostitute in Rome. Bertolucci fell into this directing opportunity and makes the most of it. While it has rough edges, it is an engaging tale. Those present at or near the murder scene are brought in for questioning. There are three young, aimless men who are petty thieves. There is a man who is almost expressionless. There is a strange looking soldier who seems utterly lost and without social skills. There is a man with a history who can be heard because he wears clogs and clicks on the cobblestones. There are others, but each offers his account of an evening in a park near where the murder was committed. Everything is subtle and visual and we can see the beginnings of some pretty impressive camera-eye technique. There are wonderful shots like the opening where the wind blows papers in the air off a bridge. It is seen from below and at first it looks like birds flying. The acting is quite good. A down side would be a lack of clues. All we have are eye-witness accounts which could contain lies. Nevertheless, this is a sound beginning.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

6 May 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

La cosecha estéril

Filming Locations:

Parco Paolino now Schuster, Ostiense, Roma, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinematografica Cervi, Cineriz

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1