After serving a jail term, a man goes out for revenge on the gang members he considers were to blame for his arrest.
Blood and Diamonds (Diamanti sporchi di sangue) is wonderfully directed by Fernando di Leo, the locations give credence to his crime thriller story and screenplay. Amedeo Giomini's editing is tip-top especially in the action scenes littered throughout.
Steely Claudio Cassinelli is perfectly cast as understated restrained Guido Mauri. Cassinelli (taken before his time in a helicopter accident while filming in 1985) offers a great performance, impressively helping to ground the film even when gun toting or going mano a mano. It's a crying shame, but pivotal to the plot that striking Olga Karlatos' (Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)) Maria has such little screen time. Karlatos is memorable in the films first act and best setup where a bus is attacked. Stunning Barbara Bouchet is at the top of her game, but is given little to do as club go-go-dancer Lisa. The crime boss Rizzo is played by American acting veteran Martin Balsam (12 Angry Men (1957), Psycho (1960), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) to name a few) who is on his usual fine form. Pier Paul Capponi is notable as Rizzo's annoying henchman, who confronts Guido at every opportunity.
It was originally conceived as a name cash-in connection to 'Rome caliber 9' to Di Leo's similar film Caliber 9 (1972). Luis Enriquez Bacalov music is perfect, the action cues notable and reused in Virus (aka Zombie Creeping Flesh and 'Hell of the Living Dead') (1980). As the police harass Guido and the local mafia boss try to get rid of him there's betrayal, shootouts and toplessness. There's a memorable violent garage scene that sets up the third act. Surprisingly it doesn't sell itself out and builds to a poignant low-key ending which works in its favour.
Overall, don't expect an all out Italian action film, it shares more with Get Carter (1971) its slow burning pace may not be for everyone, but this perfectly encapsulates the time and offers a mighty fine brooding turn from Cassinelli.
Blood and Diamonds (Diamanti sporchi di sangue) is wonderfully directed by Fernando di Leo, the locations give credence to his crime thriller story and screenplay. Amedeo Giomini's editing is tip-top especially in the action scenes littered throughout.
Steely Claudio Cassinelli is perfectly cast as understated restrained Guido Mauri. Cassinelli (taken before his time in a helicopter accident while filming in 1985) offers a great performance, impressively helping to ground the film even when gun toting or going mano a mano. It's a crying shame, but pivotal to the plot that striking Olga Karlatos' (Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)) Maria has such little screen time. Karlatos is memorable in the films first act and best setup where a bus is attacked. Stunning Barbara Bouchet is at the top of her game, but is given little to do as club go-go-dancer Lisa. The crime boss Rizzo is played by American acting veteran Martin Balsam (12 Angry Men (1957), Psycho (1960), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) to name a few) who is on his usual fine form. Pier Paul Capponi is notable as Rizzo's annoying henchman, who confronts Guido at every opportunity.
It was originally conceived as a name cash-in connection to 'Rome caliber 9' to Di Leo's similar film Caliber 9 (1972). Luis Enriquez Bacalov music is perfect, the action cues notable and reused in Virus (aka Zombie Creeping Flesh and 'Hell of the Living Dead') (1980). As the police harass Guido and the local mafia boss try to get rid of him there's betrayal, shootouts and toplessness. There's a memorable violent garage scene that sets up the third act. Surprisingly it doesn't sell itself out and builds to a poignant low-key ending which works in its favour.
Overall, don't expect an all out Italian action film, it shares more with Get Carter (1971) its slow burning pace may not be for everyone, but this perfectly encapsulates the time and offers a mighty fine brooding turn from Cassinelli.