No Way Out

as many others. at the first sigh. different not only for the experience of director in the genre but for Alain Delon. who gives the impeccable performance from many others roles of his career. Tony Arzenta is a film about Mafia but different by expectations. for the small details. for the way of revenge. for atmosphere. sure, for the end. the flavor of Scily story, old, patriarchal, deeply defined by tradition, only a nuance but one real important is the piece who defines this seductive thriller about a man looking his definition of justice. short, a film who must see. for story. and, more important, for interesting science to explore old clichés of genre in the inspired manner. a beautiful film.

Stylish, moody, innovative revenge-driven bloodbath. Also cheesy, of course, and sporadically very cheesy. It reminded me a lot of The Big Heat because it has the revenge plot set off by the exact same event, and the girl comes around to the good guy's side because of the same bad behavior by the bad guy. It's sad there's no Gloria Grahame but so fantastic that it's Alain Delon and not Glenn Ford. Could there be anyone as beautiful as Alain going around in a cashmere sweater and trenchcoat? Yet he's totally tough and icy cool. No one nowadays can touch him--though someone like Jude Law could try I guess. Hard for any girl to look good with him. The music was funky and perfect and there were several excellent car chases (and those aren't generally my cup of tea)--especially one willy nilly one in the woods. People also met their dooms in creative and bloody fashion, for instance in a junkyard cruncher. But beyond the cheese, the overall atmosphere was affecting and expertly pulled off. More creativity, excitement and freshness in that "forgotten" movie than most of what I've seen lately.

Poliziottesco in a class of its own with Alain Delon and Richard Conte

A few years after "Gli bastardi" with Giuliano Gemma and Klaus Kinski and a year before "Uomo senza memoria" with Senta Berger and Luc Merenda, Duccio Tessari directed this mercilessly straightforward crime film that cools down the Italian mafia landscape with a few ice cubes of French existentialism . Excellently produced by Luciano Martino, the film grossed ITL 1.945 billion at the Italian box office.

Tony Arzenta (Alain Delon) lives as a contract killer in Milan and wants to retire to have more time for his wife (Nicoletta Macchiavelli) and child. The bosses aren't having it and are trying to snuff out Tony's life. This is going wrong! Instead, his wife and son die cruelly. Now Tony goes into hiding and takes cruel revenge on all bosses and accomplices. Really beautiful in the Ice Cold Angel style! This also goes to Germany and Denmark. At some point, Tony, who is supported by his friend Domenico Maggio (Marc Porel), gets fed up with murder. He wants to find peace in his home in Sicily. Then final boss Nick Gusto (Richard Conte) makes him a tempting offer...

This film features an array of stars from Italian genre cinema: Carla Gravina, Roger Hanin, Anton Diffring, Umberto Orsini, Silvano Tranquilli, Corrado Gaipa, Erika Blanc, Rosalba Neri, Ettore Manni and Loredana Nusciak are part of the cast. In addition to the Italian ambience, a touch of French touch is undeniable, but that also makes this film something special. Things are a little quieter, with long looks rather than fast car chases.

And then Golden Globe candidate (nominated in 1964 for "Il gattopardo") Alain Delon is simply in a class of his own. Seeing him in a Poliziottesco is simply worth a sighting.

Hit man revenge film.

A hit man wants out of the mob. The mob double crosses him. He gets some revenge by killing most of those involved.

This film has some strong action scenes. Some good chases. Lots of shooting. It's all done rather well. The acting better than average across the board here.

However, I was not a fan of the ending. I won't spoil it here. You'll either love it or hate it or ...not care either way. I didn't like it. A better ending, and this one could have been something special.

I have just finished watching a Japanese video version of this film (titled Big guns) and found it very entertaining. I would recommend this Franco/Italian made movie to any lovers of the Italian crime genre,why, well for a start the great cast of Euro-stars, apart from Alain Delon there's Marc Porel (Murder to the tune of 7 black notes/live like a cop die like a man), Anton diffring, Richard Conte, Carla Gravina and Erika Blanc. Also the way the movie was executed, a familiar story (of a mafia hitman who wants to retire) but shot and paced excellently. Of course- things don't go to well for the 'want-out' hitman (Delon) and finds himself with a personal vendetta on his hands.

Great bloody shoot-outs, great car chases, sexy leading ladies (who also get ruffed-up) and a phat "Schiffrintastic" score sometimes reminiscent of 'Harry's creed'. The version I watched ran into 112 mins and was widescreen.

If you get the chance, check this one out.