Vintage original 24 x 32 in. French poster from the 1950's Italian-produced mystery/crime drama, THE CITY STANDS TRIAL (Processo alla città), released in Italy in 1952 and directed by Luigi Zampa. Released in France as Les Coupables, the artwork was designed by the popular French artist H. Vauclin and bears his signature along the bottom left corner. The image features beautiful artwork depicting a large portrait of actress Silvana Pampaninni in the top left corner and actor Amedeo Nazzari in the top right portion, both of which are rendered above an action scene featuring three gendarmes running down an exterior staircase towards the body of a man lying dead on the group. The image of the dead man intersects with a second image of the silhouette of a man holding out a knife while another holds a gun. 

Folded as originally issued, this vintage original poster was printed for the film's original theatrical release in France. It is unrestored in fine+ condition with a Canadian censor stamp in the upper background area and random creases and small chips on the borders. The beautiful color tints are fresh and vibrant without any signs of fading. A beautiful piece of period French movie poster art from the 1950's.

The film's plot: Turn-of-the-century Naples. Salvatore Ruotolo and his wife are murdered and their bodies are found in different locations. Since the evidence points to a crime by the Neapolitan crime organization, the Camorra, fear and corruption cause serious hindrances to the investigation by police authorities. In charge is a young and courageous judge who, using evidence discovered by chance, tries to reconstruct the story of the double murder. The plot that the judge must unravel is very complicated. Many people are questioned, even those apparently above suspicion. Deciding to get to the bottom of the matter, the judge keeps all the suspects under arrest, causing a backlash of public opinion. But in the face of passive resistance which he finds everywhere, even from his own colleagues and family, he begins to feel discouraged and is about to give up the investigation when a new piece of evidence comes to light. The information causes the death of an innocent man, but it revives in the judge the conscience of his own responsibility. He carries on with the case regardless, even if it means placing under house arrest the entire city.