Review of The Italian Connection (1972) by Chuck N — 19 Aug 2011

Manhunt aka The Italian Connection gets my award for being the best of Fernando Di Leo's lauded trilogy of 70's mob films. Mario Adorf [still active today] earns his reputation as a legend of Italian cinema with his portrayal of the good hearted pimp, Luca Canali - who merely wants to take care of his estranged wife and daughter, and is able to collect money from his girls without ever having to show his "pimp hand!" A shipment of heroin goes missing, Luca is framed by the local Don, and 2 mean mugging American hitmen arrive to take care of business.

Henry Silva and Woody Strode are the perfect iconic thugs. They love their work, and proceed to set Italy on it's ear with over the top gangster machismo, raising hell in gangland, and in some jaw dropping early 70's discos.

The Clockwork Orange meets Rodney's English Disco aesthetics are worth the price of admission alone. However, the action is top notch, on par with any of the greats, French Connection, Dirty Harry, you name it.

One extended chase scene, first by car, then by foot was astounding. What I love about the Polizioteschi genre, is that it pulls no punches, and no one is safe from a sudden and brutal demise. However, Di Leo transcends exploitation, when his protagonist Luca takes a moment to play with a cat in a junk yard, banter playfully with his stable of prostitutes, or plead convincingly to have someone explain how he got into this predicament.

Film obsession is like fishing, and tonight I caught a prize.