1982年，一位在马德里最贫穷的街区长大的年轻警察来到一个海滨城镇工作，希望能在这里治好女儿的病，同时获得平静和安宁。然而，一到那里，他就发现前任警官的谋杀案案情仍存在疑点，并被卷入案件的调查中。调查将他引向一家海滩酒店，一众因反人类罪行而被几个国家通缉的前纳粹军官在那里过着宁静的天堂般的生活。 1982. A young cop who grew up around Madrid's toughest neighborhood takes an assignment in a coastal town in the hope of not only curing his daughter's illness but also finding some peace and quiet. However, once there, he finds himself embroiled in the enquiry into the strange circumstances of his predecessor's murder. The investigation will lead him to a beach hotel where a community of former Nazi officers - claimed by several countries for crimes against humanity - lives a peaceful and paradisiacal life....
At the beginning of the movie a pharmacist receives an anonymous letter that threatens him of death. And the murder actually happens. Seems very simple but nothing is what it seems and the journey to the truth will be long and difficult. The book is excellent and the movie is at par with it and very faithful to the romance. Great direction. Incredible cast with Gabriele Ferzetti in his best interpretation together with the one in "C'era una volta il West" and Gianmaria Volonté simply beyond reach as always. Many other great actors. Yes I am an enthusiast 'cause there's not a word or a shot out of place in this movie and the plot is ingenious. Who is going to see this film for the first time will be taken away by the developments (the pace seems to be calm but looking in between the kinks you may realize that many things are going rapidly on). Trying to figure out what is the kernel of the happenings and the "reasons" for the murder is a very interesting exercise but it's highly unlikely for the spectator not to experience a big surprise at the end. In my opinion Elio Petri at his best (I mean at the same level of his other masterwork: La classe operaia va in Paradiso).</p>...
