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Total Categories: 6
The Poliziotteschi genre is predominantly characterized by lighthearted comedies situated within Italian police procedural settings.
Answer: False
Contrary to the assertion, the Poliziotteschi genre is primarily recognized for its gritty crime and action narratives, rather than lighthearted comedies. Its defining characteristics include intense action sequences and often violent depictions of law enforcement and criminal activity.
Common themes in Poliziotteschi include graphic violence, car chases, and depictions of organized crime.
Answer: True
Indeed, graphic violence, dynamic car chases, and the portrayal of organized crime are central thematic elements frequently found within the Poliziotteschi genre.
Poliziotteschi films are best described as a subgenre of:
Answer: Crime and Action Films
The Poliziotteschi genre is fundamentally a subgenre of crime and action films, characterized by its focus on law enforcement, criminal activity, and intense sequences.
Which of the following is a common characteristic of Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: Graphic and brutal violence
Graphic and often brutal violence is a hallmark characteristic of the Poliziotteschi genre, alongside themes of vigilantism and gritty realism.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic theme of the Poliziotteschi genre?
Answer: Bureaucratic procedures and paperwork
While Poliziotteschi films often feature heists, gunfights, car chases, and themes of vigilantism, extensive focus on bureaucratic procedures and paperwork is not a characteristic element.
The peak popularity of Poliziotteschi films occurred during the 1980s.
Answer: False
The zenith of Poliziotteschi film popularity was primarily during the 1970s, with its emergence in the late 1960s. The 1980s saw a decline in its mainstream appeal.
Poliziotteschi films were heavily influenced by the optimistic post-war Italian economic boom.
Answer: False
Rather than the optimistic economic boom, Poliziotteschi films were significantly influenced by the turbulent socio-political climate of Italy during the 'Years of Lead' (anni di piombo), characterized by crime, political violence, and social unrest.
The 'Years of Lead' (anni di piombo) in Italy were characterized by economic prosperity and social harmony.
Answer: False
The 'Years of Lead' (anni di piombo) in Italy were marked by significant political violence, terrorism, and social unrest, rather than economic prosperity and social harmony.
The Banda della Magliana was a criminal group primarily focused on petty theft in Rome during the 1970s.
Answer: False
The Banda della Magliana was a significant Roman criminal organization deeply involved in organized crime, political intrigue, and acts of violence during the Years of Lead, extending far beyond petty theft.
Poliziotteschi films gained mainstream popularity in the mid-1970s, replacing the declining Spaghetti Western and Eurospy genres.
Answer: True
This statement accurately reflects the historical trajectory of the genre. Poliziotteschi films achieved significant mainstream popularity in the mid-1970s, coinciding with the decline of the Spaghetti Western and Eurospy genres.
The decline of Poliziotteschi's popularity was partly due to the rise of Italian erotic comedies and horror films.
Answer: True
Indeed, the late 1970s saw a shift in Italian cinema's commercial landscape, with the increasing popularity of 'commedia sexy all'italiana' (Italian erotic comedies) and horror films contributing to the waning mainstream appeal of Poliziotteschi.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Poliziotteschi films evolved exclusively into serious, gritty crime dramas.
Answer: False
While the genre's popularity waned, its evolution towards the end of the 1970s saw a shift towards crime-comedy and parody, rather than exclusively serious crime dramas.
The 'First Mafia War' occurred in the early 1980s and significantly shaped the Poliziotteschi genre.
Answer: False
The 'First Mafia War' primarily took place during the 1960s, contributing to the backdrop of organized crime that influenced the Poliziotteschi genre, which peaked in the 1970s. The 'Second Mafia War' occurred in the early 1980s.
Films like 'Flatfoot' (Piedone lo sbirro, 1973) are examples of the Poliziotteschi comedy and parody subcategory.
Answer: True
Correct. Films such as 'Flatfoot' (Piedone lo sbirro, 1973) and its sequels are cited as examples that fall within the Poliziotteschi comedy and parody subcategory, representing an evolution of the genre.
During which decade did Poliziotteschi films reach their peak popularity?
Answer: 1970s
The Poliziotteschi genre achieved its peak popularity and widespread production throughout the 1970s, following its emergence in the late 1960s.
Which real-life historical period in Italy heavily influenced the themes and atmosphere of Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: The Years of Lead (anni di piombo)
The turbulent socio-political period in Italy known as the 'Years of Lead' (anni di piombo), characterized by political violence and social unrest, provided a significant backdrop and thematic influence for the Poliziotteschi genre.
The socio-political context of Italy's 'Years of Lead' included all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Economic prosperity
The 'Years of Lead' in Italy were characterized by political violence, terrorism, rising crime rates, and corruption, not by widespread economic prosperity.
The Roman criminal organization deeply involved in both crime and politics during the Years of Lead, often featured in Poliziotteschi, was known as:
Answer: The Banda della Magliana
The Banda della Magliana was a prominent Roman criminal organization deeply enmeshed in the political and criminal landscape of the Years of Lead, frequently referenced in Poliziotteschi narratives.
The Poliziotteschi genre began to decline in mainstream popularity in the late 1970s, partly due to the rise of which other Italian film genres?
Answer: Commedia sexy all'italiana and Horror films
The decline in Poliziotteschi's popularity in the late 1970s coincided with the rise of commercially successful Italian erotic comedies ('commedia sexy all'italiana') and horror films, which captured a larger audience share.
The evolution of the Poliziotteschi genre towards the end of the 1970s saw a shift towards:
Answer: Crime-comedy and parody
As the 1970s concluded, the Poliziotteschi genre began to incorporate more comedic elements, evolving towards crime-comedy and parody, marking a departure from its earlier gritty crime drama roots.
What real-life event involving the Sicilian Mafia occurred during the 1960s, contributing to the backdrop for Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: The First Mafia War
The 'First Mafia War,' a significant conflict within the Sicilian Mafia during the 1960s, contributed to the atmosphere of organized crime and violence that informed the Poliziotteschi genre.
Which of the following is an example of a Poliziotteschi comedy or parody mentioned in the source?
Answer: Flatfoot
'Flatfoot' (Piedone lo sbirro, 1973) is cited as an example of a film that falls into the Poliziotteschi comedy and parody subcategory, reflecting the genre's evolution.
Which of the following was a characteristic of the 'Years of Lead' in Italy relevant to Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: Political violence, terrorism, and bombings
The 'Years of Lead' in Italy were defined by significant political violence, including terrorism and bombings, which provided a crucial socio-political context reflected in the themes of Poliziotteschi films.
Poliziotteschi films originated in France during the 1970s.
Answer: False
The Poliziotteschi genre is an Italian cinematic subgenre that emerged in the late 1960s and gained prominence throughout the 1970s, drawing influence from French and American crime films but originating in Italy.
Carlo Lizzani's 'Bandits in Milan' (1968) is considered an early precursor to the Poliziotteschi subgenre.
Answer: True
Correct. Carlo Lizzani's 1968 heist film, 'Bandits in Milan' (Banditi a Milano), is frequently cited as an important early work that foreshadowed the development of the Poliziotteschi subgenre.
The Poliziotteschi genre was not influenced by American cinema.
Answer: False
The Poliziotteschi genre was significantly influenced by American cinema, particularly by 1970s American cop films, vigilante films, and noir traditions.
French crime films from the 1960s provided the primary inspiration for the violence seen in Poliziotteschi.
Answer: False
While French crime films of the 1970s contributed to the genre's tone, the primary inspirations for violence and narrative structure were more broadly drawn from American crime and vigilante cinema, alongside Italian crime narratives.
The success of 'The Godfather' had no impact on the Poliziotteschi genre.
Answer: False
The resurgence of 'mob films,' catalyzed by the success of 'The Godfather,' contributed to a broader audience interest in crime narratives, indirectly influencing the landscape from which Poliziotteschi films emerged.
Fernando Di Leo and Umberto Lenzi are directors not associated with the Poliziotteschi genre.
Answer: False
Fernando Di Leo and Umberto Lenzi are, in fact, highly prominent directors closely associated with the Poliziotteschi genre, having directed numerous seminal works within it.
Poliziotteschi films were primarily influenced by Japanese Yakuza films.
Answer: False
The primary cinematic influences on Poliziotteschi were French crime films and American crime/vigilante films of the 1960s and 1970s, not Japanese Yakuza cinema.
Which of the following was NOT a significant cinematic influence on the Poliziotteschi genre?
Answer: 1950s Italian Neorealist films
While influenced by French and American crime cinema, the Poliziotteschi genre did not draw significant inspiration from the stylistic and thematic concerns of 1950s Italian Neorealism.
Which American film is specifically mentioned as a significant influence on the Poliziotteschi genre, representing the vigilante film trend?
Answer: Death Wish (1974)
'Death Wish' (1974) is cited as a key example of the American vigilante film trend that significantly influenced the themes and narratives of the Poliziotteschi genre.
Which of the following directors is NOT listed as prominent in the Poliziotteschi genre?
Answer: Federico Fellini
While directors like Fernando Di Leo, Lucio Fulci, and Enzo G. Castellari made significant contributions to the Poliziotteschi genre, Federico Fellini is renowned for his distinct artistic vision in other cinematic domains.
Which of the following actors is mentioned as frequently appearing in Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: Franco Nero
Franco Nero is frequently cited as a prominent actor who appeared in numerous Poliziotteschi films, contributing significantly to the genre's iconography.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a specific American film influence on Poliziotteschi?
Answer: The Godfather
While 'The Godfather' influenced the broader crime film landscape, specific American film influences cited for Poliziotteschi include 'Bullitt', 'The French Connection', and 'Dirty Harry', among others, rather than 'The Godfather' itself being a direct stylistic influence on the genre's core elements.
What did the resurgence of 'mob films', following successes like 'The Godfather,' contribute to the Poliziotteschi genre?
Answer: A broader interest in crime narratives within cinema.
The success of 'mob films' like 'The Godfather' fostered a heightened audience appetite for crime narratives in general, thereby contributing to the environment in which Poliziotteschi films found their audience.
The typical Poliziotteschi protagonist is a wealthy, well-connected politician fighting crime through legal channels.
Answer: False
The archetypal Poliziotteschi protagonist is typically a tough, working-class loner, often operating outside the established legal system, rather than a wealthy politician working through official channels.
The film 'Caliber 9' featured protagonists exclusively with left-wing ideologies.
Answer: False
The film 'Caliber 9' is noted for featuring protagonists with mixed right-wing and leftist ideologies, thereby challenging the notion of exclusive ideological representation within the genre.
Poliziotteschi films generally conveyed a strong trust in Italian social institutions like the police and judiciary.
Answer: False
Scholarly analysis suggests that Poliziotteschi films frequently conveyed a profound distrust of social institutions, often depicting police, politicians, and the judiciary as corrupt or inefficient.
'Execution Squad' (La polizia ringrazia, 1972) is cited as an example that sometimes featured political extremists alongside traditional criminal elements.
Answer: True
Correct. 'Execution Squad' (La polizia ringrazia, 1972) is noted for its depiction of political extremists and paramilitary groups operating alongside or in conjunction with more conventional criminal elements.
According to scholars, Poliziotteschi films generally depicted the Italian judiciary system as highly efficient and effective.
Answer: False
Scholarly interpretations indicate that Poliziotteschi films commonly portrayed the Italian judiciary system as inefficient, corrupt, or part of the problem, rather than highly effective.
The typical protagonist in a Poliziotteschi film is often portrayed as:
Answer: A working-class loner operating outside the law
Protagonists in Poliziotteschi films are typically depicted as tough, working-class individuals who often operate outside the confines of the law or established institutions to achieve their objectives.
Film historians like Peter Bondanella argue that Poliziotteschi films often conveyed a distrust of:
Answer: Social institutions like police and politicians
According to scholars such as Peter Bondanella, Poliziotteschi films frequently expressed a deep-seated distrust of social institutions, including law enforcement, political figures, and the justice system.
What was the primary characteristic of the protagonists in classic Poliziotteschi films?
Answer: Working-class loners
Classic Poliziotteschi protagonists were typically depicted as tough, working-class loners, often operating outside conventional legal frameworks.
According to scholars, what was a common sentiment conveyed by Poliziotteschi films regarding the effectiveness of Italian social institutions?
Answer: They were often depicted as corrupt, inefficient, or part of the problem.
Scholarly analysis indicates that Poliziotteschi films frequently conveyed a sentiment of distrust towards Italian social institutions, portraying them as corrupt, inefficient, or complicit in societal problems.
The film 'Caliber 9' (1972), directed by Fernando Di Leo, is notable for:
Answer: Featuring protagonists with mixed right-wing and leftist ideologies.
'Caliber 9' is recognized for its complex characterizations, including protagonists who exhibit a blend of right-wing and leftist ideological perspectives, thereby offering a nuanced portrayal.
The term 'Euro crime' is an alternative designation for the Poliziotteschi genre.
Answer: True
Yes, 'Euro crime' is recognized as an alternative term for the Poliziotteschi genre, reflecting its European origin and its place within the broader category of European crime cinema.
The Italian word 'poliziesco' means 'related to the police' or 'in the style of the police'.
Answer: True
Correct. The Italian adjective 'poliziesco' is derived from 'polizia' (police) and the suffix '-esco', signifying 'related to' or 'in the style of' the police.
The English term 'poliziottesco' was chosen for its grammatical correctness over shorter alternatives.
Answer: False
The term 'poliziottesco' gained prevalence in English not for grammatical correctness, but because it was shorter and more vivid than 'poliziesco all'italiana', mirroring the adoption of 'spaghetti Western'.
The terms 'Poliziotteschi' and 'spaghetti Western' were initially considered high praise by English-speaking critics.
Answer: False
Initially, both 'Poliziotteschi' and 'spaghetti Western' were employed by English-speaking critics as pejorative terms, intended to dismiss the films as derivative or of lesser quality.
The Giallo genre, like Poliziotteschi, focuses on police procedurals and gritty crime action.
Answer: False
While both are Italian crime genres, Poliziotteschi centers on police procedurals and gritty action, whereas Giallo typically refers to stylish, violent murder-mystery thrillers with horror elements.
'What Have They Done to Your Daughters?' is an example of a film that could potentially fit into both the Poliziotteschi and Giallo genres.
Answer: True
Correct. Massimo Dallamano's 'What Have They Done to Your Daughters?' (La polizia chiede aiuto, 1974) is often cited as a film exhibiting characteristics of both the Poliziotteschi and Giallo genres, indicating potential overlap.
The term 'poliziesco all'italiana' is the preferred English term for the genre due to its brevity.
Answer: False
The term 'poliziottesco' became more prevalent in English because it was shorter and more vivid than 'poliziesco all'italiana', not due to its brevity alone but its stylistic resonance.
The term 'spaghetti crime films' is a direct translation of the Italian term 'polizieschi all'italiana'.
Answer: False
While 'spaghetti crime films' is an alternative designation for the genre, analogous to 'spaghetti Western', it is not a direct translation of 'polizieschi all'italiana'. Both terms refer to Italian crime films.
The Italian suffix '-esco' typically denotes a negative or dismissive quality.
Answer: False
The Italian suffix '-esco' generally signifies 'related to' or 'in the style of,' similar to the English '-esque,' and does not inherently denote a negative quality.
The term 'poliziottesco' became popular in English because it was longer and more formal than 'poliziesco all'italiana'.
Answer: False
The term 'poliziottesco' gained traction in English primarily because it was shorter and more evocative than 'poliziesco all'italiana', aligning with the trend of concise genre labels like 'spaghetti Western'.
Which of the following is NOT an alternative name for the Poliziotteschi genre?
Answer: Italian police thrillers
While 'Euro crime', 'Spaghetti crime films', and 'Italo-crime' are recognized alternative designations, 'Italian police thrillers' is a descriptive phrase rather than a specific established alternative name for the genre.
What does the Italian adjective 'poliziesco' mean?
Answer: Related to the police
The Italian adjective 'poliziesco' translates to 'related to the police' or 'in the style of the police', derived from the noun 'polizia' (police).
Why did the English term 'poliziottesco' become more prevalent than 'poliziesco all'italiana'?
Answer: It was shorter and more vivid.
The term 'poliziottesco' gained prominence in English because it was more concise and evocative than 'poliziesco all'italiana', aligning with the trend of creating memorable genre labels.
How were the terms 'Poliziotteschi' and 'spaghetti Western' initially perceived by English-speaking critics?
Answer: As pejorative and dismissive
Initially, terms like 'Poliziotteschi' and 'spaghetti Western' were used by English-speaking critics in a pejorative manner, intended to imply a lack of quality or originality compared to Hollywood productions.
How does the Poliziotteschi genre primarily differ from the Giallo genre?
Answer: Poliziotteschi features police procedurals and action, while Giallo is typically a murder-mystery thriller-horror.
The fundamental distinction lies in their focus: Poliziotteschi emphasizes police action and crime narratives, whereas Giallo is primarily characterized by its murder-mystery, thriller, and horror elements, often with stylized visuals.
The term 'spaghetti crime films' is considered a parallel to which other genre designation?
Answer: Spaghetti Western
The term 'spaghetti crime films' draws a direct parallel to the well-established 'spaghetti Western' designation, signifying Italian-produced films within the crime genre.
The phrase 'polizieschi all'italiana' translates to:
Answer: Police films in the Italian style
The Italian phrase 'polizieschi all'italiana' translates directly to 'police films in the Italian style', serving as one of the descriptive terms for the genre.
The term 'Euro crime' emphasizes the genre's:
Answer: Origin within European cinema
The designation 'Euro crime' highlights the genre's origin within European cinema, distinguishing it from other national crime film traditions.
The suffix '-esco' in the Italian word 'poliziesco' functions similarly to which English suffix?
Answer: -esque
The Italian suffix '-esco', when used in words like 'poliziesco', functions analogously to the English suffix '-esque', indicating 'in the style of' or 'related to'.
The film 'What Have They Done to Your Daughters?' (1974) is noted for potentially belonging to which two Italian film genres?
Answer: Poliziotteschi and Giallo
'What Have They Done to Your Daughters?' (La polizia chiede aiuto, 1974) is recognized for exhibiting characteristics that allow it to be categorized within both the Poliziotteschi and Giallo genres.
The term 'poliziottesco' gained popularity in English over 'poliziesco all'italiana' primarily because:
Answer: It was shorter and more vivid.
The English adoption of 'poliziottesco' over 'poliziesco all'italiana' was driven by its conciseness and evocative quality, mirroring the success of similar genre labels.
The term 'spaghetti crime films' is considered a parallel to which other genre designation?
Answer: Spaghetti Western
The term 'spaghetti crime films' is directly analogous to 'spaghetti Western', both referring to Italian-produced films within their respective genres.
Poliziotteschi films were often criticized for promoting reactionary, pro-violence, or quasi-Fascist ideological elements.
Answer: True
Yes, certain Poliziotteschi films faced criticism for potentially exploiting societal fears and containing reactionary, pro-violence, or quasi-Fascist ideological undertones, particularly in their portrayal of political extremism and vigilantism.
Film historians Peter Bondanella and Louis Bayman argue that Poliziotteschi films strictly promoted specific political agendas.
Answer: False
On the contrary, historians like Bondanella and Bayman suggest that Poliziotteschi films often utilized political conflicts primarily for tension and catharsis, rather than strictly promoting specific political agendas.
Roberto Curti observed that Poliziotteschi protagonists consistently displayed only right-wing views.
Answer: False
Roberto Curti's observations indicate that Poliziotteschi protagonists often displayed a mix of right-wing and left-wing views, complicating simplistic ideological interpretations of the genre.
'The Big Racket' (Il grande racket, 1976) was praised by critics for its nuanced portrayal of the justice system.
Answer: False
On the contrary, 'The Big Racket' (Il grande racket, 1976) faced criticism from contemporaneous reviewers for its 'tough-on-crime' stance, rather than for a nuanced portrayal of the justice system.
Some critics accused Poliziotteschi films of exploiting societal fears and containing which type of ideological elements?
Answer: Reactionary, pro-violence, or quasi-Fascist
Certain critics argued that some Poliziotteschi films exploited societal anxieties by incorporating reactionary, pro-violence, or quasi-Fascist ideological elements.
What criticism did film historians like Louis Bayman and Peter Bondanella offer against simplistic political interpretations of Poliziotteschi?
Answer: They suggested the films used political conflicts mainly for tension and catharsis.
Historians such as Bayman and Bondanella contend that Poliziotteschi films often employed political conflicts primarily as a means of generating tension and achieving cathartic impact, rather than as vehicles for explicit political advocacy.
Which film is mentioned as an example that faced criticism for its 'tough-on-crime' stance?
Answer: Il grande racket
'Il grande racket' (The Big Racket, 1976) is specifically cited as a film that drew criticism for its 'tough-on-crime' approach from contemporary reviewers.
According to Roberto Curti, Poliziotteschi films often used political conflicts and violence primarily for what purpose?
Answer: Apolitical tension-building and cathartic impact.
Roberto Curti posits that the genre frequently employed political conflicts and violence primarily for apolitical purposes, such as enhancing tension and providing cathartic release, rather than for explicit ideological promotion.