About two years ago, I had the privilege of reviewing the exciting “The Italian Connection,” as part of the formidable collection “Fernando Di Leo – The Italian Crime Connection Vol. 1.” Well, it took some time, but the awesome Volume 2, including 3 more fascinating films by this remarkable Italian director, is now available. And it was well worth the wait.
The 3 movies (in 3 discs) included in this collection are all crime-related, an area in Fernando Di Leo (1932-2003) excelled. The first feature, “Naked Violence” (I Ragazzi del Massacro), is about the rape and murder of a teacher by some of her students, which were collectively influenced by Aniseed, referred to as “the strongest liquor in the world, capable of causing “powerful psychic erythrism,” which leads to violence and madness. It takes detective Duca Lamberti (Pier Paolo Capponi) and social worker Livia Ussaro (Nieves Navarro) to meticulously solve the case and find the culprits. Next we have “Shoot First, Die Later” (Il Poliziotto È Marcio), where we meet Lieutenant Dominique Malacarne (Luc Merenda), a highly respected cop, whose proud father is also in the police force. Dominique is deeply engaged in fighting a local crime lord. Unfortunately, he also has a secret, which endangers his career and relationship with his father. Richard Conte plays Mafioso Mazzanti. The film has some funny moments, too, and one of the best car chases I have ever seen in movies. Finally, there is “Kidnap Syndicate” (La Citta Sconvolta. Caccia Spietata ai Rapitori), also starring Luc Merenda. Here he plays Mario Collela, a decent, working class, single father whose son is kidnapped by accident just as he was trying to defend his well-to-do classmate, who was the original target. They are both kidnapped, and we witness how Collela, as well as Ing. Filippini (James Mason) try to get their sons back. However, each one has a different way of dealing with the kidnappers. In the middle of it all, is Police Commissioner Magrini (an excellent Vittorio Caprioli), who tries to solve the crime as fast as he can.
I have to say that I truly enjoyed the three films presented in “Fernando Di Leo – The Italian Crime Connection Vol. 2.” They are all well crafted, with enough twists and turns until the very end, and Di Leo really shows up, step by step, the arduous work done by detectives. Not in vain the director has been referred elsewhere as the “master of mafia mayhem.” The collection also includes several documentaries about the films and Di Leo’s career, as well as a booklet with critical analyses. (Naked Violence – Italy, 1969, color, 96 min; Shoot First, Die Later – Italy, 1974, color, 94 min; Kidnap Syndicate – Italy, 1975, color, 98 min)
Reviewed on December 9, 2013 for RaroVideo Blu-ray
The 3 movies (in 3 discs) included in this collection are all crime-related, an area in Fernando Di Leo (1932-2003) excelled. The first feature, “Naked Violence” (I Ragazzi del Massacro), is about the rape and murder of a teacher by some of her students, which were collectively influenced by Aniseed, referred to as “the strongest liquor in the world, capable of causing “powerful psychic erythrism,” which leads to violence and madness. It takes detective Duca Lamberti (Pier Paolo Capponi) and social worker Livia Ussaro (Nieves Navarro) to meticulously solve the case and find the culprits. Next we have “Shoot First, Die Later” (Il Poliziotto È Marcio), where we meet Lieutenant Dominique Malacarne (Luc Merenda), a highly respected cop, whose proud father is also in the police force. Dominique is deeply engaged in fighting a local crime lord. Unfortunately, he also has a secret, which endangers his career and relationship with his father. Richard Conte plays Mafioso Mazzanti. The film has some funny moments, too, and one of the best car chases I have ever seen in movies. Finally, there is “Kidnap Syndicate” (La Citta Sconvolta. Caccia Spietata ai Rapitori), also starring Luc Merenda. Here he plays Mario Collela, a decent, working class, single father whose son is kidnapped by accident just as he was trying to defend his well-to-do classmate, who was the original target. They are both kidnapped, and we witness how Collela, as well as Ing. Filippini (James Mason) try to get their sons back. However, each one has a different way of dealing with the kidnappers. In the middle of it all, is Police Commissioner Magrini (an excellent Vittorio Caprioli), who tries to solve the crime as fast as he can.
I have to say that I truly enjoyed the three films presented in “Fernando Di Leo – The Italian Crime Connection Vol. 2.” They are all well crafted, with enough twists and turns until the very end, and Di Leo really shows up, step by step, the arduous work done by detectives. Not in vain the director has been referred elsewhere as the “master of mafia mayhem.” The collection also includes several documentaries about the films and Di Leo’s career, as well as a booklet with critical analyses. (Naked Violence – Italy, 1969, color, 96 min; Shoot First, Die Later – Italy, 1974, color, 94 min; Kidnap Syndicate – Italy, 1975, color, 98 min)
Reviewed on December 9, 2013 for RaroVideo Blu-ray
