Sbatti il mostro in prima pagina (1972)

A populist right-wing tabloid newspaper tries to derail the official police investigation of a brutal murder of a young girl in order to help the fascist and right-wing candidates it supports in the upcoming elections.

Director:

Marco Bellocchio

Writers:

Sergio Donati (original story and screenplay), Goffredo Fofi (screenplay collaboration)

Stars:

Gian Maria Volontè, Fabio Garriba, Carla Tatò

Cast

Cast overview:
Gian Maria Volontè	...	Giancarlo Bizanti
Fabio Garriba	...	Roveda
Carla Tatò	...	Moglie di Bizanti
Jacques Herlin	...	Lauri
John Steiner	...	Ingegner Montelli
Michel Bardinet	...	Giornalista de 'Il Giornale'
Jean Rougeul	...	Direttore de 'Il Giornale'
Corrado Solari	...	Mario Boni
Laura Betti	...	Rita Zigai
Enrico DiMarco	...	Commissario
Silvia Kramar	...	Maria Grazia Martini
Massimo Patrone	...	School Porter
Gianni Solaro	...	Italo Martini - Maria Grazia's father
Luigi Antonio Guerra	...	2nd speaker at press conference (as Luigi Guerra)

Storyline

1972, Milano. We are just a few days before the general elections. The daughter of a well-known professor is found dead. Mr Bizanti editor in chief of newspaper "Il Giornale", in agreement with its owner Mr. Montelli, decides to charge of following the story the junior Roveda and the senior Lauri. At one point, some elements indicates senator Boni as a possible murderer. All the "old guard" within "Il Giornale" drives articles in order to underline responsibilities of senator Boni. But young Roveda doesn't surrender and continues to search for the truth.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | controversial | militant | sexual perversion | whodunit | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

26 April 1973 (France)

Also Known As:

O Monstro na Primeira Página

Filming Locations:

Piazza Castello, Milan, Lombardia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jupiter Generale Cinematografica, UTI Produzioni Associate, Labrador Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marco Bellocchio: Man at press conference.

User Reviews

Thrilling, disturbing and very provocative.

Really good, solid, political film making from a new fave of mine, Marco Belloccio. Indeed this taut thriller mixes the murky world of newspapers with the equally murky world of politics. This opens with in your face real footage of early 70s street riots in Milan. Such is the ferocity and spectacle it seems likely that once the narrative begins there will be an anti-climatic lull. Not at all, Gian Maria Volonte stars as the newspaper boss prepared to do anything for his fascist friends and the survival of his newspaper. His cynicism and by implication that of the director knows no bounds. An innocent schoolgirl is raped, there is a clear guilty party but does it suit the ends of those in charge for matters to proceed as they should? Volonte is masterly in the role, as he was in the slightly earlier, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion but he is aided here by more than adequate support from all involved. Thrilling, disturbing and very provocative.