Synopsis
Inspired by the bloody events of 1940, when the “Green Shirts” attempted to seize power, Petru Moldovan, an incorruptible commissioner, will investigate with cold-blooded determination and regardless of consequences, the crimes of the Legionnaire gang.
Directed by: Geo Saizescu
Script: Sergiu Nicolaescu, Vintilă Corbul, Eugen Burada, Mircea Gândilă
Cast: Amza Pellea, Gheorghe Dinică, Ion Besoiu, Sergiu Nicolaescu, Jean Constantin, Emmerich Schäffer, Ștefan Mihailescu-Braila, Alexandru Dobrescu, Marin Moraru, Vasile Nitulescu, Jean Lorin Florescu
Producers: Beno Meirovici
Cinematography by: Alexandru David
Edited by: Dan Naum, Dragos Witkowski
Sound: Anusavan Salamanian
Muzică: Richard Oschanitzky
Year: 1974
Category: feature film
Genre: Action
Duration: 108 minutes
363,847 – Cinepub viewers
PLOT SUMMARY
Bucharest, November 1940. The Legionnaire regime is in full expansion. Commissioner Moldovan (Sergiu Nicolaescu) is tasked with investigating the assassination of political prisoners at Viraga prison on the night of November 26th to 27th. By appointing a politically unaffiliated individual to this case, the authorities hope to inoculate the public opinion with the idea that the police are carrying out their duty honestly.
The government intends to cover up the case, but Moldovan is incorruptible and does not yield to pressures and intimidations. And, above all, he wants to bring the truth to light. That is why a Legionnaire command, led by Paraipan (Gheorghe Dinică), will stop at nothing to take him out of the game.
AWARDS
- ACIN
- Award for male performance – Sergiu Nicolaescu
- Editing award – Dan Naum.
- The award for sets – Marcel Bogoş
TRIVIA
- A few frames from A Police Inspector Calls (the scene of the pickpocketing of a citizen by Limba) are presented in the movie Expresul de Buftea (1979).
- The third film of the “Commissioner” series, after “Clean Hands” and “The Last Cartridge”
LINES
Zavoianu: Dincä what shall we do? Vicsoreanu turns me crazy, and Panaitescu ruthlessly warned me: if anything leaks out, he’ll hang us…
Alexandru Dincä: I have the solution in my pocket. We assign a smart inspector, liked by the people and not being an Iron Guard. This way, we put everybody’s worries to sleep, and we follow with our plan.
Zavoianu: We don’t need a too smart one. We risk that he turns all our plans upside down.
Alexandru Dincä: I’ll handle the details. The investigation will conclude that the massacre at Viraga was the work of the communists who were trying to escape from the prison, while the other assassinations where operated by certain types who managed to vanish.
Zavoianu: Who do you propose?
Alexandru Dincä: You will see.
Tudor Moldovan: Commisioner Moldovan
Zavoianu: Mr. Moldovan, General Director Dinca has recommended you for a very difficult assignament. I am sure you will carry it to a good ending.
Tudor Moldovan: Vigara?
Zavoianu: So, you can read people’s mind, commissioner…
Tudor Moldovan: Not at all, Mr. Prefect, Sir. I just heard the rumors.
Zavoianu: Quick-tongued, quick-minded! I’m convinced you will do well!
Alexandru Dincä: After all, the first step is already done. We arrested two of the communists who broke out last night of Viraga.
Zavoianu: I wish you luck!… What is it, commisioner?
Tudor Moldovan: Mr. Prefect, Sir… It’s a political problem and this is none of my business. I deal with others: thieves, hookers…
Alexandru Dincä: Mister Moldovan, this is not for the first time that a criminal case is entrusted to you. It is precisely your political objectivity that made us choose you.
Tudor Moldovan: Thank you for trusting me…
ARTICLES
- „A Police Inspector Calls” – film chronicle – 1974 – aarc.ro
- A Police Inspector Calls (1974) – Bogdan JITEA – 2023 – iiccmer.ro
This premiere is part of a national archive project supported by the Romanian National Film Centre.
Special thanks goes to the Romanian Filmmakers Union and to the Romanian Film Archive.
