A stark, slow-burning predecessor to the current wave of Swedish crime cinema.

Inspired by William Friedkin's Oscar-winning The French Connection, The Man on the Roof adapts Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö's crime novel The Abominable Man into an exploration of police corruption.

After a Stockholm lieutenant is savagely murdered in his hospital bed, his colleagues attempt to locate his assassin, however the victim's penchant for violence and brutality on the job complicates their search. As their exacting investigation closes in on a culprit, a ruthless sniper takes to a rooftop, intent on gunning down all police in his field of vision. Accordingly, Bo Widerberg's (Elvira Madigan, MIFF 68) climactic thriller simmers with tension and intensity, resulting in its box office success upon initial release.

The smart, stylish feature won Best Film and Best Actor at the 1977 Swedish Film Awards.

"A first-rate thriller with an almost unbearably tense climax." - Hollywood Reporter

D/S Bo Widerberg P Per Berglund WS SF International L Swedish w/English subtitles TD 35mm/1976

See the film and read the book; browse online at Readings.