Der Mann auf dem Dach

This is director Widerberg's widely acclaimed first action film, based on a crime story by famous Swedish writers Sjowall/Wahloo. It's a complex story, involving both the frantic efforts to stop a man from shooting people from a roof top, and the bit by bit revelations of why he's doing it.

Widerberg could make movies, in this and other genres, and this time he was praised for accomplishing what many regarded as the first Swedish action film, which did not look like high school work, even in an international comparison.

A lot of effort was put into it, involving large parts of Stockholm city at the time, and countless citizens volunteering as extras. It got to be much larger than the movie team had anticipated, but Widerberg managed to be creative about that chaotic situation, giving the film a sense of documentary, of not being fiction at all. Of course that heightened the suspense, and made its social message more urgent.

Wow! I wasn't expecting this - a sober, detailed, semi-documentary study of police investigation and tactics from, of all people, Bo Widerberg?!

I am astonished to say that this is a remarkably realistic and believable film and, as another viewer suggested, should be viewed by current filmakers as a prime reference for how films in this genre can be successfully approached. This truly ranks with the best American crime/police films of the 70's (and soars above all their pale French imitations), though it may lack the visceral impact of DIRTY HARRY or a character as indelible as Popeye Doyle. But character development is not really the film's focus; it is getting the details right - which it does - of the methodical police investigation of a murder and then their forced tactical response to a sniper. In doing this Widerberg and co. avoid a number of cliches and dramatic pitfalls that have plagued other films and television dramas working this turf over the last 40 years. These include cowboy heroics by "rogue" cops, an over-reliance on police jargon (that supposedly lets us know we are "inside the world" of police work), allowing interpersonal melodramas between characters to blur the focus of the story (i.e. catching the criminal), and, of course, the now ritual abuse of explosions, car chases, and machine-gun editing (to supposedly heighten our excitement). There are also no cartoonish twisted-genius serial killers masterminding absurd plot twists. Here the killer is as unspectacular, and as understandable (although we never meet him) as the men pursuing him. It is also remarkable how characters casually enter into the film as they enter the investigation - no one emerges as THE hero - everyone just does his job. And Widerberg is so effective at focusing us on the quiet, "routine" details of how the case develops that when violence erupts in the later part of the film it is truly startling. The scenes of panicking crowds have an unsettling documentary feel. The police response to this threat is, again, restrained, unspectacular (all right the helicopter attack may be pushing it a bit) and intensely dramatic for just that reason (no bells or whistles required). When the criminal is finally stopped it is almost anti-climatic (no drawn-out battles to the death, no swelling music) and this is as it should be for the world remains the same, evil still exists, and the job goes on. Can't wait to see MAN FROM MALLORCA. 9 out of 10.

The popularity which crime fiction writers namely Stieg Larsson and Håkan Nesser enjoy in current times has enabled book readers to consider Sweden from a different perspective.Their books allow people to be able to imagine that despite an excellent welfare state Sweden has a lot of social problems.In the past,criminal tendencies in Sweden were described in gory details by writers Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.It is their writings which form the back drop of Swedish film 'Man on the roof'.For a national cinema closely associated with Bergman's dark dramas,'Mannen På Taket' presents a completely different facet of Swedish cinema.It is a thriller which spoke about corrupt policemen hell bent on giving a bad name to their police force.Bo Widerberg gives equal attention to drama as well as thriller elements.The result is an intelligent thriller which enables its viewers to ascertain why some policemen are able to cross lines which are supposed to be judged by them.Admirers of action cinema need to be reminded that their theme makes its appearance in the second half of the film as the first half has been reserved for the through investigation of a brutal murder.

This movie by Bo Widerberg is the peak performance in his career as I see it. It mixes realism with outstanding action sequences that still today haven't been done this good in Sweden. I haven't seen Mannen pa mallorca by Widerberg but that might be the one that ties this film. My favourite scene is probably when Martin Beck is on stakeout in an apartment where he tries to spot the killer. The scene is very well made and the old lady who owns the apartment is mostly concerned that Martin drinks his coffe and eat his cookies. It's pure magic. The best actor in this movie is Hakan Serner in a minor role, he portray the dull everyday life perfectly and it is very easy to imagine that this guy has been in the force way to long. A must see!

Uncharacteristicly excellent crafted action film that takes a frank look at the horrors of Police corruption. Well thought out story with terrific action set pieces. A fine example of Swedish filmmaking in the 1970s. Its about an investigation into the murder of a high ranking Policeman who is found out was corrupt and sadistic. The murder sequence at the beginning is brutal and gory. Done with good scenes of Police procedural by Bo Widerberg.

Mannen Pa Taket/The Man on the Roof(1976) has something which many high Hollywood films of today do not have and that is brains. Carl Gustaf Lindstedt gives a fine performance as DT. Martin Beck. The climax is nail biting and realistic. The last act of Mannen Pa Taket(1976) also has its share of humor. The scenes involving a sniper in the final act might have influenced a similar scene in the opening moments of God Told Me To(1977). The Man on the Roof(1976) is a neglected action classic that should find its way on DVD someday.