Poliziotteschi
Poliziotteschi burst onto Italian cinema screens in the late 1960s and reached its zenith in the 1970s – a crime subgenre that mirrored the nation’s escalating crime rates. Inspired by American and French crime flicks, the Italians amped things up with explosive action, raw violence, and a hearty dose of political incorrectness that make these films riotously entertaining. Like their American counterparts, some entries – especially vigilante tales – drew heavy criticism, but the Italians leaned into the controversy, fearlessly exploiting conservative anxieties. By the decade’s end, the genre had veered into comedy, but the finest of these tough-as-nails thrillers still pack a punch today.
Links take you to the IMDd. Circled titles: A Point Blank Films fav!
Almost Human (1974) 8/10
Tomas Milian plays a homicidal maniac on the loose in this brutal Umberto Lenzi thriller that is smart and stylish without pulling any punches. aka The Death Dealer; The Kidnap of Mary Lou
Fabio Testi is a cop battling hoodlums terrorising a sleepy Italian village in poliziotteschi with hints of Dirty Harry, lots of slam-bang action, and bloody ending; Enzo G. Castellari’s best effort in the genre.
The Boss (1973) 8/10
Henry Silva takes out several members of a rival gang for his boss, Richard Conte, in Fernando Di Leo mafia thriller – explosive fun with plenty of double cross, sleaze and violence. aka Murder Inferno
Caliber 9 (1972) 9/10
One of the best Fernando Di Leo poliziotteschi flicks, though closer to noir, complete with femme fatale, a laconic and weathered protagonist and unexpected plot twists; stylish 70s fun. aka Milano Calibro 9
The Climber (1975) 6/10
Joe Dallesandro plays a young American in Italy climbing to the top of the criminal ladder in poliziotteschi with shades of Scarface – but lacking that film’s style and vitality.
Colt 38 Special Squad (1976) 7/10
Tough-as-nails crime flick with no major stars (though Ivan Rassimov plays a merciless crime lord), clearly inspired by Dirty Harry, but dirtier, and featuring incredible action sequences.
Confessions of a Police Captain (1971) 8/10
Damiano Damiani applies his serious sensibilities to this poliziotteschi tale of a city rife with corruption; Franco Nero and Martin Balsam are excellent, among other well-drawn characters. aka Confessions of a Police Commissioner to the District Attorney
Contraband (1980) 7/10
Sleazy and extremely violent Lucio Fulci poliziotteschi – blood and guts with nice Naples backdrops. aka The Smuggler
Freewheeling poliziotteschi starring Tomas Milian as a flamboyantly dressed cop; thinly plotted, but popular enough that it led to 11 sequels!
Cry of a Prostitute (1974) 6/10
Misogynistic poliziotteschi elevated by brutal violence and strong cast including Henry Silva and Barbara Bouchet; not for the faint of heart.
From Corleone to Brooklyn (1979) 6/10
Latter-day Umberto Lenzi poliziotteschi that provides a nice tour of 42nd Street; not Lenzi’s best but never boring.
Solid Umberto Lenzi poliziotteschi that plays like a very trashy version of The Godfather.
The Heroin Busters (1977) 6/10
Fabio Testi goes undercover to break up an international drug ring to the sounds of Goblin in violent poliziotteschi that provides fast-paced, straightforward entertainment.
High Crime (1973) 7/10
Franco Nero fights to bring down a powerful drug ring, even as all those around him die in Enzo G. Castellari poliziotteschi inspired by The French Connection; solid but shouty entry. aka The Marseilles Connection
The Italian Connection (1972) 8/10
Two American hit men hunt down a small-time pimp who won’t go down without a fight – and the result is a highly enjoyable, violent ride where no one (women, children, kittens) is safe. aka Manhunt
Second-tier Fernando Di Leo poliziotteschi with a then-topical plot elevated by presence of James Mason but a little routine.
Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (1976) 6/10
Ruggero Deodato helmed this poliziotteschi about sexist undercover cops who thrive on living dangerously in Rome – a hilarious, over-the-top romp that plays like a parody.
Poliziotteschi maestro Fernando Di Leo lets his hair down with this fast-moving crime flick starring Jack Palance – macho fun but not without homoerotic overtones. aka Rulers of the City
Rabid Dogs (1974) 8/10
Dark, nihilistic Mario Bava hostage thriller not released until 1997 due to legal issues; most of the action takes place in a moving car, in a masterclass of suspense and tension. aka Kidnapped
Revolver (1973) 8/10
Oliver Reed plays a prison warden forced to exchange Fabio Testi for his kidnapped wife in well-crafted poliziotteschi with complex plot, Ennio Morricone score, and strong action and stunts. aka Blood in the Streets
Ricco (1973) 5/10
Christopher Mitchum is on a path of vengeance but cannot act – fortunately this has nasty moments to make up for it (a man is fed his own penis and thrown in a vat of acid), but it’s pretty bad all round. aka The Cauldron of Death; The Mean Machine
Strange Shadows in an Empty Room (1976) 6/10
Fun if lurid Italian imitation of Dirty Harry and The French Connection (with car chase to match), filmed in Canada and oddly named and marketed despite the stellar cast. aka Blazing Magnum; Shadows in an Empty Room
Street Law (1974) 7/10
Franco Nero seeks vigilante justice while director Enzo G. Castellari takes a leaf out of the Death Wish playbook, but it’s much better than your average rip-off, with fantastic final shoot-out.
Tomas Milian is Rambo – a biker out for revenge against two warring crime families, including an oddly wooden Joseph Cotten; another solid Umberto Lenzi entry.
Entertaining Umberto Lenzi poliziotteschi with great set pieces, loose plot, and Tomas Milian as a psychotic hunchback. aka Rome Armed to the Teeth
Car chases, fist fights, guns, and lots of violent action (like a bowling ball to the head) in 100% politically incorrect and thoroughly entertaining Umberto Lenzi poliziotteschi.
The Violent Professionals (1973) 7/10
A Milanese cop goes undercover to destroy a gang from within in second-tier poliziotteschi with pleasing cast, startling moments and savvy direction by Sergio Martino.