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[Paul]

One of the forefathers of the Italian Cop film. Though Steno's EXECUTION SQUAD pipped it to the post as the first, Castellari's film certainly laid the foundations that many later cop flicks built upon. Obviously influenced by THE FRENCH CONNECTION (even down to the casting of Fernando Rey), HIGH CRIME takes the gritty premise of William Friedkin's seminal film and adds lashings of pleasing action.

The film is in desperate need of a decent DVD release...

[LANZETTA]

I picked up last week a cheap video of this movie under the MARSEILLES CONNECTION title,and though the tape has seen better days it didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of this brilliant movie which i understand is largely instrumental in inspiring the explosion of Italian crime thrillers.
Franco Nero is Commisioner Belli(not the pen pushing type,definately a street cop) who along with his boss have been for years gathering evidence to nail a large drugs ring.There are two gangs in operation ,and the newer of the two,including a murderous mole from the older gang,is trying to take over the territory.Theres also an insider in the police force.
Belli's boss is murdered ,his family are at serious risk,but he's determined to totally nail these gangsters.Theres car chases galore,excellent fight scenes, long shoot-outs and Nero turns in a superbly convincing performance as Belli.The musical score by the De Angelis brothers is effective and similar to their brilliant score to STREET LAW.
This movie needs a decent dvd release. 

[vigilanteforce]

Somebody has made a fandub of the Japanese disc! Anybody has it?

I really need to revisit this, its been a really long time and I only have a Greek tape which is fullscreen and in German language! BU should have released this one along with the other Castellari crime titles!

[Paul]

Somebody has made a fandub of the Japanese disc! Anybody has it?

I have the Pre-Cert UK tape and the dodgy 23rd Century DVD too - which goes under the MARSEILLES CONNECTION title and looks like it was copied from VHS.

[Dorado]

I just saw this film again I have it on the 23rd Century DVD.

The film is by far Castellari’s best crime film IMO, and one of the best Italian crime films at all.

The soundtrack is also great, I think it’s going to be one of the next things I have to purchase if it’s available on CD that is.

[Paul]

I just saw this film again I have it on the 23rd Century DVD.

The film is by far Castellari’s best crime film IMO, and one of the best Italian crime films at all.

The soundtrack is also great, I think it’s going to be one of the next things I have to purchase if it’s available on CD that is.

An expanded CD under the La Polizia incrimina la legge assolve title was recently released in Italy. Check eBay, I've seen them on there.

[IL COMMISSARIO]

I watched this last night. Wonderful and overly brutal movie with some scenes I was not expecting. Castellari could really put some effort into his movies when he wanted to. Nero isn't as wooden or stiff as he is in other movies. Actually he's quite good.

Speaking of EXECUTION SQUAD, I found a movie with the same storyline but shot in 1971 entitled KILL! with James Mason. Anyone know anything about this one?

[vigilanteforce]

Nero isn't as wooden or stiff as he is in other movies. Actually he's quite good.

Where was Nero wooden?

[IL COMMISSARIO]

KEOMA (mostly in the "fight" scenes; the film is still excellent, though)
JONATHAN OF THE BEARS
ENTER THE NINJA
These 3 immediately come to mind...

[Paul]

I never thought of Nero as being Wooden in KEOMA. I've not seen the other three. IMO, Nero gives a great deal of depth to his characters, and the fact he does his own dubbing helps considerably.

[Stephen Grimes]

Nero is one of the best actors out of Italy,absolutely loved him in The Blue Eyed Bandit.

[Paul]

Nero is one of the best actors out of Italy,absolutely loved him in The Blue Eyed Bandit.

I think he's great in just about everything I've seen - from the raw emotion of STREET LAW to the comic timing seen in the likes of COMPANEROS, I think he's the best actor to have worked in Italian exploitation films, closely followed by Milian.

[IL COMMISSARIO]

In his action scenes Nero is often incredibly stiff. I like him but I'm not a HUGE fan of his. Nero is okay but I wouldn't say he is one of the greatest actors. He's better in some movies than others. He had a good look about him which I think was more instrumental to his success than anything else. Milian, on the other hand, is a far better actor.

[LANZETTA]

I never thought of Nero as being Wooden in KEOMA. I've not seen the other three. IMO, Nero gives a great deal of depth to his characters, and the fact he does his own dubbing helps considerably.

Yes,he has a great accent which it seems lends itself very well to playing roles of all nationalities.In fact i'm sure i read somewhere that Nero has the world record for the variety of nationalities that have been covered by his roles.

[Paul]

I never thought of Nero as being Wooden in KEOMA. I've not seen the other three. IMO, Nero gives a great deal of depth to his characters, and the fact he does his own dubbing helps considerably.

Yes,he has a great accent which it seems lends itself very well to playing roles of all nationalities.In fact i'm sure i read somewhere that Nero has the world record for the variety of nationalities that have been covered by his roles.

His performance as 'Issa' - the Palestinian head of Black September in 21 HOURS AT MUNICH was quite a memorable turn.