A principled Roman cop faces off against a shadowy vigilante syndicate in the heart of the Years of Lead.
EXECUTION SQUAD
With killers on the loose who's putting the cops out of business?
An inspector pursues a secret society of former police officers who go beyond the law by killing notorious criminals without trial.
Quick Answer
Execution Squad is a 1972 Italian-German action crime thriller directed by Steno about a principled police commissioner who uncovers an organized group of vigilantes executing criminals that the justice system fails to convict.
Programmer's Pick
Execution Squad doesn't just crank up the body count—it pulls the rug out from under the entire justice system. With Steno behind the camera and a city simmering with mob violence and corruption, this is poliziotteschi at its rawest.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Steno
- Writers
- Steno, Lucio De Caro
- Release
- 1972
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Country
- Germany, Italy
- Language
- Italian
- Also Known As
- A rendőrség megköszöni, The Enforcers, Execution Squad, Société anonyme anti-crime, Das Syndikat, Original title: La polizia ringrazia
Why This Matters
Set during Italy's turbulent 'Years of Lead,' this 1972 crime film reflects the era's social unrest and achieved significant commercial success, marking its resonance with contemporary audiences.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Set in Rome amid a wave of escalating crime, the film channels the urgency and paranoia of Italy's turbulent Years of Lead.
An organized group of former police officers takes justice into their own hands, delivering brutal retribution outside the law.
The film dives into the ethical gray zones between legal justice and vigilantism, with even the police divided in their loyalties.
Packed with shootouts, police chases, and urban grit, Execution Squad is a textbook example of Italy's hard-hitting crime genre.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Questions from the Vault
When was Execution Squad released? +
Execution Squad was released in 1972.
Who directed Execution Squad? +
Execution Squad was directed by Steno.
How long is Execution Squad? +
Execution Squad has a runtime of 98 minutes.
What genre is Execution Squad? +
Execution Squad is an action, crime, drama, and thriller film.
Where can I watch Execution Squad? +
Execution Squad is available to stream on SassyFlix.
How are the vigilantes in Execution Squad organized and who are they? +
The vigilantes are an organized group of former police officers who form a secret society to execute criminals the justice system can't convict.
