The Magistrate

Directed by Luigi Zampa, this 1959 drama is among the few mid-20th century films centered on a judge and his professional life. An Italian-Spanish co-production with a mixed French, Italian and Spanish cast, it was filmed in Madrid, using outdoor locations such as Plaza de España, Plaza Mayor and Parque del Oeste, while the name of the Italian city where the story unfolds is never revealed. Spanish actor José Suárez headlines the picture, alongside François Périer, Jacqueline Sassard and Massimo Serato. A 21-year-old Claudia Cardinale appears as Orlando's wife. The film met with moderate success on release, although one survey of Italian cinema noted that it at times drifted toward demagogy. With its focus on the figure of the magistrate and the demands of his work, it stands as a distinctive entry in Zampa's filmography and in postwar Italian drama.