Translated by Irene Cecchi
Since the late sixties until the eighties, while the American cinema was all about the New Hollywood era with anti-heroes full of problems and morally questionable as protagonists, in Italy a new cinematic genre was arousing, in line with the times known as “years of lead” (a period of political and social turmoil): the poliziottesco.
The main characteristics that differentiate it from the typical detective one are: the themes (arms trafficking, prostitution, drugs trafficking, organized crime, critics to the justice system etc..) that were often based on current events and then emphasized; the protagonists that embody stereotyped policemen, disillusioned and unappreciated by his superiors, with a violent nature and keen to use unorthodox methods, just like the criminals they are after; citizens victims of some kind of felonies who decide to seek revenge, becoming wanted criminals themselves; daring chases that bring the audience into degrading cities.
Among the cruel realism, one of the distinctive characteristics of the poliziottesco is its gloomy and overwhelming atmosphere that brings the audience in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Lo stile di questo genere era un connubio di vari generi come ad esempio il gangster movie; il classico noir; il fantapolitico; il thriller Argentiano e il western all’italiana, sostituendo a quest’ultimo l’ambientazione desertica con le metropoli e lasciando invariata la violenza. Famose erano le colonne sonore composte da celebri compositori, Ennio Morricone compose la colonna sonora per Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare di Umberto Lenzi (1974); Luis Bacalov per il famoso Milano calibro 9 di Fernando di Leo (1972); Franco Micalizzi per Italia a mano armata di Marino Girolami (1976).
-This genre style comes from the interference of others such as gangster movies, noir films, political fiction, Argentinian thrillers and Italian western with a change in the setting but keeping the violence. Renowned composers created the soundtracks for this movies, famous examples are: Ennio Morricone’s track for Almost Human (original: Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare, 1974) by Umberto Lenzi, Luis Bacalov’s one for Caliber 9 (original: Milano calibro 9, 1972) by Fernando di Leo and Franco Micalizzi’s soundtrack for the movie Special cop in action (original: Italia a mano armata, 1976) by Marino Girolami.
Among the action and the drama, the poliziottesco deals with relevant social and political issues. Many movies relate stories of corruption within the institutions, questioning the integrity of the police and the justice system. In the meantime, this genre also aspires to understand the origins of criminality and its relation with the surrounding society, showing the complex dynamics of power and social injustices.
Even if this genre, that lasted almost a decade, produced sagas like Commissario Betti (Violent Rome, Violent Naples, Special cop in action) and influenced later works such as the tv series Romanzo criminale and action movies of the caliber of Heat by Michael Mann (1995), the italian critic didn't appreciate it. It was considered a b-movie, repetitive and monotonous, accused of spreading ambiguous messages and of being apathetic (even fascist) so it was almost forgotten with time passing by. We can say almost because thanks to niche journals like Nocturno or Cine 70, at the beginning of the 2000 it was reconsidered, also thanks to Quentin Tarantino who reiterated more than once his love for this genre and its directors.
In conclusione il genere poliziottesco è stato molto più di una semplice serie di film d'azione. era un viaggio nelle profondità oscure della società, un'indagine sui suoi demoni e sulle sue contraddizioni. Attraverso la sua rappresentazione cruda e realistica del crimine e della giustizia, il poliziottesco ci invitava a riflettere sulle sfide e le tensioni della società moderna, mentre ci trasportava in un mondo fatto di adrenalina, violenza e suspense.
-In conclusion, the poliziottesco has been more than a series of action movies, it was a journey to the dark shades of society, an investigation on its demons and contradictions. Through its cruel and realistic representation of crime and justice, the poliziottesco was inviting us to think about the challenges and tension of modern society while bringing us in a world of adrenaline, violence and suspense.
Mondo Internazionale APS - Riproduzione Riservata ® 2024