Petri’s sharp, Kafkaesque critique of authoritarianism and corruption sets out to test the political hypothesis that the very system that maintains law and order inherently ensures the existence of persons that are exceptions to the legal norm. A newly promoted police chief (Gian Maria Volontè in riveting, muscular performance) murders his mistress and then, during the investigation of the homicide, plants obvious clues to test whether his position will protect him from prosecution. Starting off like a giallo, the film delves into the psyche of power, looking at the way in which its fetishization and perversion is integral to its operation. With its incisive script and haunting score by Ennio Morricone, the first part of Petri’s “Trilogy of Neurosis” remains a potent and relevant exploration of the hypocrisy of law and social decay. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Subtitles.