The Warning (1980)
A taut Italian crime thriller exposing the deadly intersection of organized crime, banking power, and police corruption in 1980s Italy.
The Warning - Movie Information
- Original Title: L'avvertimento
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Damiano Damiani
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 15, 1980 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Die tödliche Warnung (DE)
- Production Companies: Capital Film
- Production Countries: Italy
The Warning - Plot
During a high-stakes investigation into corporate and banking elites tied to organized crime, a police chief and his team are murdered for refusing a bribe. Meanwhile, another officer finds his bank account credited with a large sum and receives anonymous instructions on how to handle the subsequent inquiry.
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The Warning - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Damiano Damiani
Main Cast
- Giuliano Gemma
- Martin Balsam
- Laura Trotter
- Giancarlo Zanetti
- Guido Leontini
- Marcello Mandò
- Franco Odoardi
- Deddi Savagnone
- John Karlsen
- Julian Jenkins
Writers
- Damiano Damiani
- Nicola Badalucco
- Dino Maiuri
- Massimo De Rita
Producers
- Mario Cecchi Gori
The Warning - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Warning?
The Warning stars Giuliano Gemma as Commissario Antonio Baresi and Martin Balsam as Questore Martorana. The supporting cast includes Laura Trotter, Giancarlo Zanetti, Guido Leontini, Marcello Mandò, Franco Odoardi, Deddi Savagnone, John Karlsen, and Julian Jenkins.
What is The Warning about?
The Warning follows a high-stakes investigation into corporate and banking elites with ties to organized crime. When a police chief and his team are killed for refusing a bribe, another officer discovers a large anonymous deposit in his account along with instructions on how to handle the inquiry.
Who directed The Warning (1980)?
The Warning was directed by Damiano Damiani, a prominent Italian filmmaker known for his politically charged crime dramas. Damiani also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Nicola Badalucco, Dino Maiuri, and Massimo De Rita.
When was The Warning released?
The Warning was released on August 15, 1980, in Italy. The film is also known internationally under the title Die tödliche Warnung in German-speaking markets, and was produced by Capital Film with Mario Cecchi Gori serving as producer.
What language is The Warning in?
The Warning is an Italian-language film. It was produced in Italy and spoken entirely in Italian, reflecting the tradition of politically engaged Italian crime cinema that flourished during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Is The Warning based on a true story?
The Warning is not directly based on a single documented true story, but it draws heavily on the real climate of corruption, Mafia infiltration of banking and corporate institutions, and political violence that plagued Italy during the late 1970s, a period known as the Years of Lead.
How long is The Warning (1980)?
The Warning has a runtime of 108 minutes, approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. The film was directed by Damiano Damiani and produced in Italy by Capital Film, with Mario Cecchi Gori as producer.
What are similar movies to The Warning?
If you enjoyed The Warning, you may also appreciate other Italian crime and political thriller films from the same era. Editorial picks with thematic or tonal similarities include The Chairman (1964) and Trash (2014), alongside other crime-driven narratives exploring institutional corruption and moral compromise.
More About The Warning
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