Colt 38 Special Squad

COLT 38 SPECIAL SQUAD is a typical example of the Italian polizia flick, so if you're wondering what a Dirty Harry-inspired police film from the '70s looks like, then look no further than this. It's a film which exemplifies the best of a genre that's still hidden from most film fans today, who are missing out on the delights of Maurizio Merli and his contemporaries beating the hell out of criminal scum.

Although this film doesn't boast any roles for big Hollywood names or familiar genre fans, it proves to be distinctly above average. That's because it tells a complex, action-packed story at speed, never slowing down for a second. There are robberies, kidnappings, assassinations, terrorism and even a bombing campaign, all delivered in a typically gutsy, as-it-is kind of way, free of sentimentality, the focus on the realism. Massimo Dallamano's camera never sits still for a second in depicting a kinetic struggle between criminals and the police.

The essential story involves Marcel Bozzuffi (THE FRENCH CONNECTION) playing a tough Inspector with a personal vendetta against a criminal gang. He sets up a special squad, all armed with powerful handguns and motorbikes, to track down and take out the criminals, but of course it doesn't go according to plan. Although the way, the haunted Carole Andre gets caught between cops and bad guys, and Ivan Rassimov once again tackles the role of criminal mastermind. It goes without saying that the various action bits – shoot-outs, car chases, you name it – are second to none and miles ahead of most of what Hollywood churns out today.

In the gritty world of Italian crime cinema, Massimo Dallamano's "Quelli della calibro 38" (also known as "Colt 38 Special Squad") stands out as a stylish and hard-hitting gem. Released in 1976, this neo-noir thriller follows a group of renegade cops who take the law into their own hands, delivering a potent blend of action, suspense, and social commentary that still resonates today.

From the opening sequence, which features a daring bank heist and a pulse-pounding car chase, "Quelli della calibro 38" establishes itself as a no-holds-barred crime drama. The film's gritty realism is further enhanced by its authentic portrayal of the seedy underbelly of Milan, where the lines between cops and criminals often blur.

But what truly elevates "Quelli della calibro 38" is its stylish direction and killer soundtrack. Dallamano's masterful use of camera angles, lighting, and editing creates a visual language that perfectly captures the gritty essence of the story. Meanwhile, the pulsating score by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis adds an extra layer of tension and cool to the proceedings.

While the film's pacing occasionally lags, and some of the plot points may feel familiar to seasoned crime thriller fans, "Quelli della calibro 38" remains a standout entry in the Italian crime genre. Its unflinching portrayal of police corruption and societal decay, coupled with its stylish execution and memorable characters, make it a must-watch for fans of gritty, hard-boiled cinema.

QUELLI DELLA CALIBRO 38, or COLT 38 SPECIAL SQUAD, provides a superior specimen of the Italian polizioto of the 1970's, with French actor Marcel Bozzuffi as Inspector Vanni, whose wife is shot dead in his early teens son's presence, and is out to wreak revenge come what may. Director Massimo Dallamano seems uninterested in character development: for instance, you do not get to see Vanni's tearful son again, you have no idea whether Vanni handed him over to relatives or to an institution while he chases the culprits, notably crime kingpin Marsigliese, to their deaths.

Basically everyone is cannon fodder, regardless of whether you serve the law or the criminal forces. In between, Vanni is ordered to stay off the hunt, and to go on leave, but he could not give a flip about the boss and his orders - Vanni is obsessive about payback!

Certainly, the viewer does get to watch action pretty much nonstop. Whatever dialogue you hear is quick, often under bated breaths, and the pace is frenetic, with chases in cars and on foot aplenty.

Typical washed out color and basic 1970s cinematography by to me unknown Gabor Pogani, effective editing by Antonio Siciliano, and fitting score by Stelvio Cipriani.

The script could have taken COLT 38 to greater heights with closer attention to character development, cause and effect logic... but it ain't no waste of time! 7/10.

Captain Vanni(Marcel Bozzuffi)kills the brother of the vicious crime boss Marsiglese a.k.a. Black Angel(Ivan Rassimov)during warehouse shoot-out.Angry Marsiglese murders Vanni's wife in front of their kid.After the funeral his superiors decide to create special team of four motorcycle riding cops with Colt 38 pistols.Marsiglese returns to Torino with a gruesome plan which involves explosives hidden in suitcases plus plenty of ordinary people killed during detonations in public places.Very violent and exciting Italian polizioteschi flick with fantastic car/motorcycle chase sequences and some spectacular explosions.The acting by Marcel Bozzuffi and Ivan Rassimov is great as is the score of Stelvio Cipriani.8 Colt 38 pistols out of 10.

Quelli della calibro 38 (1976) turns out to be interesting and plenty of vivid action , suspense and thriller . Marcel Bozzuffi's nice performance as two-fisted Inspector Vanni, the brave and taciturn inspector who utilizing his long pistol kills baddies , acting as a judge , jury and executioner . It packs intrigue , violence, action-filled and being a really effective film. A nail-biting thriller in which Inspector Vanni (Marcel Bozzuffi) attempts to bring Turin's most powerful crime lord and psychotic murderer to justice. That's why the police commissioner forms a well-trained secret motorized brigade in order to fight a dangerous terrorist who is depositing bombs throughout the city of Turin. Vanni attepts to track down Marsigliese/Black Angel (Ivan Rassimov), his henchman Guido Pugliese (Antonio Marsina) and other hoodlums in an effort to catch them at whatever cost, as he'll stop at nothing to get it . Vanni pursues the revenge-obsessed series killer and encounters he has more problems with him than he expected and eventually taking the law into his own hands . Rule-breaking Vanni strides grimly throughout Turin in pursuit the murderous, including thrilling pursuits, motorcycles and car chases . Whatever your reservations about Vanni's expeditious methods we know he'll always vanquish, shooting in cold blood with his pistol: 'calibro 38'. Inspector Vanni makes Dirty Harry look like Mr. Clean! .He lives by the law - Vanni's Law .Vigilante enforcers - lurking in the dark... waiting to kill!

Effective installment in Poliziesco genre is still gripping and moving. 'Poliziesco' or Poliziottesco' was an Italian popular genre from Seventies , whose main representatives were: Maurizio Merli, Franco Nero, Fabio Testi or Tomas Milian, that include notorious films as Street Law (1973), High Crime (1974), Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare (1974), Free Hand For a Tough Cop (1976) , Brothers Till We Die (1978) , From Corleone to Brooklyn (1979), Poliziotto solitudine e rabbia (1979), Speed cross (1980), Speed driver (1980), they were the most successful and brutal of these kinds of thrillers. Quelli della calibro 38 (1976) stars Marcel Bozzuffi who plays adequately the two-fisted, rule-bending Inspector Vanni, while seeks vengeance, chases mobsters and a maniacal, trigger-happy assassin called Black Angel. Bozuffi already played a classic thriller: 'William Friedkin's French Connection', performing a nasty mobster. As iconoclast , tough cop Vanni/Bozuffi) tries to detain the vicious killer and other cronies who are kidnapping, exploding bombs in markets, bus station and other public places, he takes on criminals determined to bring them to justice, even if he has to break some rules. Co-starring as a ruthless villain is Ivan Rassimov. Italian of Croatian origin Ivan had a fruitful career until his early death, although he was often cast as villains, from Nazi soldiers and gunmen to tough guys suspected of murder. Rassimov also occasionally played the good guys and saw it as a novelty in his bad guy roles. From playing a police detective, a cowboy, an archaeologist and even a psychiatrist in Mario Bava's last theatrical film Shock or Beyond the Gate (1977). Ivan starred in Giallos: Perversa Señora Ward, Vicios Forbiddenes and some Spaghetti Westerns like Django If You Want to Live... Shoot, Cowards Don't Pray, Non Spettare Django, Spara and Cjamango. He was most often seen as a male hero of Italian cannibal films acting alongside Me Me Lai in three of them, the most notable being Man from Deep River, Jungle Holocaust and Eaten Alive. Fine main and support cast giving acceptable , tough some exaggerated interpretations . Good secondary cast -usual in B Italian genres- gives cool performance, such as: Carole André (of Kabir Bedi's Sandokan series), Riccardo Salvino, Antonio Marsina , Franco Garofalo and brief apperance from Grace Jones singing a a disco-song.

Quelli della calibro 38 (original title) or Colt 38 Special Squad(English) or Section de choc (France) (1976) is a formula thriller with plenty of action , crisply edition , tension, intrigue , suspenseful and lots of violence in exploitation style. There are images of strong violence, bone-chilling shootouts and impressive car and motorcycle chases, with spectacular races of vehicles bouncing through the air and a 'Sinca' car at full speed going through the fields and along a transport train. Special mention for the stinging , stabbing musical score by Stelvio Cipriani. As well as atmospheric and adequate cinematography by Gábor Pogány , shot completely in Turín, Italy and Monaco . The motion picture was competently written and directed by Massimo Dallamano or ¨Max Dillman¨ in his last one, after a long career both cameraman and director. Compellingly mafde by Massimo Dallamano , he turned to cameraman to director of Spaghetti Westerns and polizieschi , which rejuvenated his confidence and his popularity . He previously photographed ¨Fistful of dollars¨and ¨For a fistful dollars more. Dallamano managed to make a fluid , witty and agreeable Giallo titled La morte non ha sesso (A Black Veil for Lisa) . He also proved his experience in thriller and other Giallo movies , such as : "What Have You Done to Solange?" , "The Cursed Medallion" ,¨Portrait of Dorian Gray ¨ , "Mafia Junction" , "What Have They Done to Your Daughters?" or "The Coed Murders" , among others . "Colt 38 Special Squad" Rating 6/10. Well worth watching . The flick will appeal to Poliziesco enthusiasts.