Beast with a Gun

I'm not sure which title I like more but this film does indeed have a certain special charm to it. No, it is not outstanding or anything superlative like that, but it is rather enjoyable to watch as a crook/killer gets out of prison to wreak havoc and revenge on those responsible for putting him there in the first place. Helmut Berger is the best thing about this film as he plays a violent, sadistic psychopath with the best of them. He has no heart whatsoever and is quite something to see. His scenes in the abandoned warehouse and with newly acquired "moll" the beautiful Marisa Mell particularly stand out. Muscle-bound Richard Harrison, who you might remember from some older sword and sandal movies, plays the cop out to protect himself and his family. Like another reviewer noted, the script and plot have some obvious problems, but the pace and delivery more than offset those inadequacies. If you want some good, old-fashioned Italiam crime atmosphere then Mad Dog or Beast with a Gun is for you.

Remember the scene in Jackie Brown with Robert DeNiro and Bridget Fonda watching TV and then Samuel Jackson walks in and goes: "Is that Rutger Hauer?" and Fonda replies: "No, it's Helmut Berger."?

Well, it's this movie they're watching.

It's a typical low-key Italian gangster movie with a bunch of evil, skinny, mustached (except Helmut Berger) crooks driving around doing evil stuff. The violence scenes are very brutal but there are many moments where also unintentional humor is present.

Once again, I have a Finnish super rare version of this movie with Finnish title (roughly translated) "Death Obeys No Law" on the front cover and in the back cover it says "Best With A Gun", (obviously a typing error). In the opening credits it says "Furious" (or "Ferocious"). A movie with so many names can't be that bad, can it?

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.

For the time , it is an extremely violent film, Tarentino-like style ,with plenty of murders and rapes ; the director knows only one tempo :accelerated ,and Helmut Berger ,who had not forgotten his master Visconti's lessons is fascinating,terrifying ,almost without overplaying . His opponent , the cop played by Richard Harrison (in the sixties a habitué of sword and sandals and eurospy cheap flicks),is not really up to scratch opposite him ;the same can be said of ill-fated Marisa Mell .

This thriller includes melodrama elements : the killer's sister and the cop's father and young sister are involved ;but it's Berger who saves the film :cold,sadistic to the umpteenth degree , ruthless; too bad he never found another Visconti because he deserved better.

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.