The Man on the Roof (Mannen på taket) is a 1976 Swedish crime thriller film directed by Bo Widerberg. The film is based on the 1971 Martin Beck book The Abominable Man, written by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.
Former police inspector Stig Nyman is brutally murdered in a hospital in the middle of the night. Martin Beck (Carl-Gustaf Lindstedt) is called in to investigate the case. As the investigation begins it becomes very clear that few people have anything good to say about Nyman: He was well known for his brutality against suspects and civilians and for abusing his police privileges. Most of his colleagues disliked him and many of the younger policemen even feared him. The police force's esprit de corps however meant that any complaints and reports against him were dismissed and he never suffered any punishment or reprisals for his behavior. It becomes clear that the murderer must be someone seeking revenge against Nyman. As the investigation continues, a man is seen climbing up on a roof, carrying a bag full of guns.
The Man on the Roof was a success when released, becoming the Swedish Film Institute most successful until Fanny and Alexander was released six years later. It won the Guldbagge awards for best film and was selected as the Swedish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 50th Academy Award, but was not accepted as a nominee.
This film features examples of:
- Cop Hater: The murderer turns out to be one.
- Crazy-Prepared: Åke Eriksson, who brought a gas mask with him up on the roof, in case the police decided to use gas to clear him out.
- Enemies List: While searching Åke Eriksson's room at his parents house, Martin Beck discovers a Crossword Puzzle filled with names of cops, including Stig Nyman and his own name.
- Exiled to the Couch: Martin Beck is seen sleeping on the couch instead of in bed with his wife.
- Hellish Copter: Åke Eriksson manages to shoot down a police helicopter, which crashes on Odenplan (which is filled with a crowd).
- Police Brutality: Stig Nyman was well known for his brutality against suspects.
- Revenge: The motive of the murderer.
- Rooftop Confrontation: The climax of the movie takes place on the roof of Åke Eriksson's apartment building, with the police trying to take him down.
- Sleep Deprivation: Rönn, who started working at 8 am the previous day and was about to go home when he got the call about Nyman's murder. At one point he falls asleep while listening to the story of the death of Eriksson's wife.
- Spree Killer: Åke Eriksson barricades himself on the roof of his apartment building and fires on any police he sees, killing three and wounding eight, including Martin Beck.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Kollberg and Gunvald Larsson openly dislike each other, but work together to bring down the murderer.
- Vomiting Cop: A rookie cop on his first day vomits after seeing the body of Stig Nyman.
- Who Murdered the Asshole: Stig Nyman turns out to be a huge asshole, with many people hating him.
