Two-fisted police detective Nico Palmieri (an excellent and charismatic performance by Fabio Testi) goes out of his way to take down a nefarious protection racket in Rome, Italy. When the ruthless scum who run the racket resort to such foul tactics as rape and murder, Nico throws the rulebook away and organizes a motley crew of fed-up victims to deal with the criminals on their own ferocious terms.
Director Enzo G. Castellari, who also co-wrote the bitter script with Massimo De Rita and Arduino Maiuri, keeps the hard-hitting story moving along at a constant brisk pace, does a sturdy job of creating and sustaining a harsh, gritty, and utterly cynical tone, and stages the bracing'n'bravura action set pieces with his trademark rip-snorting skill and verve (the climax in a sprawling warehouse in particular delivers the rousing goods like nobody's tear 'em up business!). Vincent Gardenia excels as loyal and helpful informant Pepe. Orso Maria Guerrini likewise registers well as champion skeet shooter Rossetti. Moreover, this picture further benefits from a truly hateful rogues' gallery of cruel and despicable villains: Marcella Michelangeli as wicked bitch Marcy, Antonio Marsini as crooked lawyer Giuni, and the ever-slimy Joshua Sinclair as sleazy head honcho Rudy. The explosive moments of savage violence pack an extra potent and nasty punch, with oodles of super bloody quality squib work. Marcello Masciocchi's slick cinematography provides an impressive glossy look and makes exciting use of a hand-held camera. The funky-pulsating score by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis hits the get-down groovy spot. A real bang-up stirring and satisfying winner.
Director Enzo G. Castellari, who also co-wrote the bitter script with Massimo De Rita and Arduino Maiuri, keeps the hard-hitting story moving along at a constant brisk pace, does a sturdy job of creating and sustaining a harsh, gritty, and utterly cynical tone, and stages the bracing'n'bravura action set pieces with his trademark rip-snorting skill and verve (the climax in a sprawling warehouse in particular delivers the rousing goods like nobody's tear 'em up business!). Vincent Gardenia excels as loyal and helpful informant Pepe. Orso Maria Guerrini likewise registers well as champion skeet shooter Rossetti. Moreover, this picture further benefits from a truly hateful rogues' gallery of cruel and despicable villains: Marcella Michelangeli as wicked bitch Marcy, Antonio Marsini as crooked lawyer Giuni, and the ever-slimy Joshua Sinclair as sleazy head honcho Rudy. The explosive moments of savage violence pack an extra potent and nasty punch, with oodles of super bloody quality squib work. Marcello Masciocchi's slick cinematography provides an impressive glossy look and makes exciting use of a hand-held camera. The funky-pulsating score by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis hits the get-down groovy spot. A real bang-up stirring and satisfying winner.