This classic entry in the Italian crime thriller (or "polizia") genre is highlighted by the unforgettable pairing of director Umberto Lenzi and star Maurizio Merli, who combine to make this one of the very best Italo crime films you'll see. This is a perfectly-made movie, well-shot at all times and incredibly fast paced. In the first twenty minutes you'll see enough action to make three low budget made-for-TV thrillers and the pacing doesn't let up until the very end. Shoot-outs, hold-ups, fist fights and car chases, they're all here and done in splendid style by a director who was at the very peak of his career before his star began to wane in the '80s. Anyone put off by plot complexities can relax because this, like many other Lenzi/Merli collaborations, is a relatively plotless movie that just features lots of random crimes, plot-threads and sub-plots linked together by Merli's ever angry Inspector Tanzi.
Whilst the name of Maurizio Merli's character may change with each film he's in, you can rest easy knowing he'll play the same angry, on-the-edge, anti-criminal policeman each time whose hard-edged tactics cause him to inevitably fall out with his superiors. Merli is at his best here, perfectly believable as the dedicated, no-nonsense lawman, a character you can really cheer for. Once again Lenzi assembles a cast of familiar Italian faces like Stefano Patrizi, Luciano Catenacci and Luciano Pigozzi to play the various scum who are terrorising the streets of Rome. Plus there's Ivan Rassimov (THE RED BERETS) playing a really evil creep who keeps his pretty, unfortunate girlfriend hooked on heroin and Arthur Kennedy (KILLER COP) reprising his "angry man" routine as Merli's increasingly frustrated chief. Hats off to Giampiero Albertini as a sympathetic fellow cop, Caputo, and in particular Tomas Milian (FREE HAND FOR A TOUGH COP) who excels as the slimy villain, an unbelievable hunchback character who runs amok.
This politically incorrect film definitely isn't for all tastes, especially with a near-the-knuckle rape sequence which pushes the boundaries of bad taste and is deeply unpleasant stuff to watch. Thankfully the rest of the violence is well-deserved and thus enjoyable, as we watch Merli beat up endless bad guys, smashing heads on pool tables, through pinball machines and roughing up countless bad guys. The action sequences are highlighted by a superb catchy and jazzy score (which kept me humming for days) and noisy engine revving and gunfire. The car chases are excitingly portrayed, especially a great scene involving an ambulance speeding through the city. I can't sing this movie's praises highly enough and recommend all Euro fans to track it down now, as it really is priceless stuff.
Whilst the name of Maurizio Merli's character may change with each film he's in, you can rest easy knowing he'll play the same angry, on-the-edge, anti-criminal policeman each time whose hard-edged tactics cause him to inevitably fall out with his superiors. Merli is at his best here, perfectly believable as the dedicated, no-nonsense lawman, a character you can really cheer for. Once again Lenzi assembles a cast of familiar Italian faces like Stefano Patrizi, Luciano Catenacci and Luciano Pigozzi to play the various scum who are terrorising the streets of Rome. Plus there's Ivan Rassimov (THE RED BERETS) playing a really evil creep who keeps his pretty, unfortunate girlfriend hooked on heroin and Arthur Kennedy (KILLER COP) reprising his "angry man" routine as Merli's increasingly frustrated chief. Hats off to Giampiero Albertini as a sympathetic fellow cop, Caputo, and in particular Tomas Milian (FREE HAND FOR A TOUGH COP) who excels as the slimy villain, an unbelievable hunchback character who runs amok.
This politically incorrect film definitely isn't for all tastes, especially with a near-the-knuckle rape sequence which pushes the boundaries of bad taste and is deeply unpleasant stuff to watch. Thankfully the rest of the violence is well-deserved and thus enjoyable, as we watch Merli beat up endless bad guys, smashing heads on pool tables, through pinball machines and roughing up countless bad guys. The action sequences are highlighted by a superb catchy and jazzy score (which kept me humming for days) and noisy engine revving and gunfire. The car chases are excitingly portrayed, especially a great scene involving an ambulance speeding through the city. I can't sing this movie's praises highly enough and recommend all Euro fans to track it down now, as it really is priceless stuff.