Beast with a Gun

This is surprisingly a decent crime thriller... really better than I was anticipating it to be. The film is a graphic violent crime-thriller - scary to watch.

Richard Harrison is the tough police inspector Giulio Santini. He's out to get a prison escapee named Vitali (Helmut Berger) and his gang. Vitali and gang goes on a spree of rape, rob and murder. The gang is very much afraid of Vitali and will do whatever he says - even things they do not care to do for they fear Vitali's violence against them.

I got this movie in the 50-pack Drive-in collection. It's one of the better films in the pack. I'm glad they added it, the film is good.

7/10

Beast with a Gun is a gritty and unapologetic crime thriller that doesn't pull any punches. Sergio Grieco's direction captures the raw brutality of the criminal underworld, and Helmut Berger's portrayal of Nanni Vitali is chillingly convincing. The film doesn't shy away from depicting violence, making it a visceral experience for viewers.

The supporting cast also delivers solid performances. Marisa Mell as Giuliana Caroli adds vulnerability to the mix, while Marina Giordana's Carla Santini provides a glimpse into the human cost of Vitali's rampage. Richard Harrison's portrayal of Inspector Santini adds a layer of determination to the cat-and-mouse game.

The film's soundtrack, punctuated by intense moments, heightens the tension. Grieco's use of visuals-such as the gas station scene-creates a sense of impending doom. However, the plot occasionally veers into predictable territory, and some character motivations remain underdeveloped.

Nanni Vitali, a no-count killer with a penchant for violence, forms an unholy alliance with three equally brutal hoodlums. Together, they embark on a savage spree of rape, murder, and robbery. Their actions leave a trail of blood and fear in their wake.

Verdict: For fans of gritty Italian poliziotteschi films, Beast with a Gun offers a brutal and intense ride. While it may not reach the heights of cinematic masterpieces, it remains a cult classic worth exploring. Just be prepared for a visceral journey into the dark heart of criminality.

Known as Mad Dog Killer and Beast With A Gun, my print comes up with the title, Furious Mad Dog Killer and I have to say all titles are appropriate. This is not sophisticated film making by any means but does, as they say, what it says on the can. Little story, just an angry young man determined to do with his gun what he is going to do and even rape the co-star along the way. Helmut Berger is excellent in the lead and fully convinces as the near lunatic, Mad Dog or Killer of the titles. Marisa Mell is also effective and not quite as dumb as the females often seem to have to be in these Italian crime movies. The police are as dumb as usual, even if led by the charismatic, Richard Harrison. Tough. Mean and fast moving.

Helmut Berger gives a gritty performance as a sadistic killer. Unfortunately there are two kinds of punishment being dished out, Helmut's and that which the audience must suffer. The police work in "Beast With a Gun" is mortally laughable, and the stilted dialog in the dubbed version rivals that in the worst "Godzilla" movie. Berger's deranged killer, and a nice Morricone-like score save this from being just another Italian crime flick. So, if you can throw logic out the window, cringe a bit with each spoken word, and suspend disbelief, you might be ready to watch this gloriously sleazy tale of robbery, rape, and revenge. - MERK

Helmut Berger leads a group of prison escapees on a rampage targeting cop Richard Harrison,who testified against him in court.After Berger rapes beautiful Marisa Mell("Danger:Diabolik"),then forces her to join the gang,Harrison hatches his own plan to stop dangerous Berger.The film is loaded with sleaze and violence,but it's not as nasty as it's reputed to be."Mad Dog" is well-acted,well-directed and has a fast pace from beginning to end.So if you're a fan of Italian crime flicks give this one a look-just don't expect something mind-shattering.