Another superior slice of Italian crime, once again teaming director Enzo G. Castellari and star Franco Nero to good effect after their successful previous collaboration on HIGH CRIME. REVENGE is a straightforward tale of violent thugs, an insufficient police force, and one just man out for revenge. As is mostly the case with Italian "polizia" flicks from the 1970s, it's not the plot that's important here, which is good because this particular vigilante-themed exercise in blood and bullets is no different from dozens of others made over the years. What makes REVENGE special is the effort that both the star and director put into the movie; this may not be Castellari's very best film but it's certainly up there with his better movies.
As is generally the case with the director's movies, the film has some fine editing and photography, and makes great use of slow motion during the various staged action sequences. Every penny of the budget is put to good use, making for one slick, exciting, and often gripping adventure. REVENGE also takes care to build up characterisation of the lead characters, sometimes at the expense of putting more action into the film, but the pay off works as star Franco Nero gets a meaty and interesting character to explore. His Carlo Antonelli is an everyday guy with strict moral upbringings, who has always been taught that the only way to save face is to battle dangers head on. Therefore, after being humiliated, beaten, and robbed by the gang of crooks, he can't let the crime slip from his mind and must hunt down the thugs at whatever the cost.
Although Castellari's direction is stylish, it's never flashy, and you get the impression that this is a director who really understands cinema and what he can do with his camera. The film always retains a strong sense of realism which make the action sequences all the more powerful when they do arrive - the moment in which an exhausted Nero is chased by a crook in a car and nearly run down is sweaty, exciting, and feels dangerous to boot (partly because Nero does his own stunts here!). The film is pretty gory and culminates in a very violent shoot-out in an empty warehouse, which is a fully appropriate way to end such a movie and pays off nicely.
Performances are generally spot on, with Nero leading the way; special mention goes to Giancarlo Prete as the small-time crook Tommy, who ends up befriending Nero's character: his portrayal of the edgy but non-violent criminal is one of the most realistic I've seen on film. Also around are veteran Renzo Palmer as an exasperated cop, and the beautiful Barbara Bach playing Nero's surprisingly frumpy wife; sadly she is forced to wear unflattering glasses and cardigans for this (relatively small) role - what was Castellari thinking?! The music from the famous De Angelis brothers fits the bill nicely and proves to be perfectly hummable, whilst the pacing is spot on and the action sequences as good as ever. The criminals are sufficiently rotten and hateful enough to provide suitable menace, whilst the viewer is given the opportunity to identify with Nero's on-the-edge character throughout thanks to some excellent outbursts that the actor gets to spit as he is repeatedly foiled by both police and robbers. A perfect evening's entertainment and a must for the Italo crime fan.
As is generally the case with the director's movies, the film has some fine editing and photography, and makes great use of slow motion during the various staged action sequences. Every penny of the budget is put to good use, making for one slick, exciting, and often gripping adventure. REVENGE also takes care to build up characterisation of the lead characters, sometimes at the expense of putting more action into the film, but the pay off works as star Franco Nero gets a meaty and interesting character to explore. His Carlo Antonelli is an everyday guy with strict moral upbringings, who has always been taught that the only way to save face is to battle dangers head on. Therefore, after being humiliated, beaten, and robbed by the gang of crooks, he can't let the crime slip from his mind and must hunt down the thugs at whatever the cost.
Although Castellari's direction is stylish, it's never flashy, and you get the impression that this is a director who really understands cinema and what he can do with his camera. The film always retains a strong sense of realism which make the action sequences all the more powerful when they do arrive - the moment in which an exhausted Nero is chased by a crook in a car and nearly run down is sweaty, exciting, and feels dangerous to boot (partly because Nero does his own stunts here!). The film is pretty gory and culminates in a very violent shoot-out in an empty warehouse, which is a fully appropriate way to end such a movie and pays off nicely.
Performances are generally spot on, with Nero leading the way; special mention goes to Giancarlo Prete as the small-time crook Tommy, who ends up befriending Nero's character: his portrayal of the edgy but non-violent criminal is one of the most realistic I've seen on film. Also around are veteran Renzo Palmer as an exasperated cop, and the beautiful Barbara Bach playing Nero's surprisingly frumpy wife; sadly she is forced to wear unflattering glasses and cardigans for this (relatively small) role - what was Castellari thinking?! The music from the famous De Angelis brothers fits the bill nicely and proves to be perfectly hummable, whilst the pacing is spot on and the action sequences as good as ever. The criminals are sufficiently rotten and hateful enough to provide suitable menace, whilst the viewer is given the opportunity to identify with Nero's on-the-edge character throughout thanks to some excellent outbursts that the actor gets to spit as he is repeatedly foiled by both police and robbers. A perfect evening's entertainment and a must for the Italo crime fan.