as many others. at the first sigh. different not only for the experience of director in the genre but for Alain Delon. who gives the impeccable performance from many others roles of his career. Tony Arzenta is a film about Mafia but different by expectations. for the small details. for the way of revenge. for atmosphere. sure, for the end. the flavor of Scily story, old, patriarchal, deeply defined by tradition, only a nuance but one real important is the piece who defines this seductive thriller about a man looking his definition of justice. short, a film who must see. for story. and, more important, for interesting science to explore old clichés of genre in the inspired manner. a beautiful film.

Nothing original in the story here of mafia guys falling out, something going wrong and the wronged one seeking revenge. Directed with such slickness by Duccio Tessari, however, that it is a great watch. Great locations, including Copenhagen, Milan and Sicily even if the weather in the Northern cities looks so dismal. Interiors are also shot with fine Italian style, colourful fashionable furniture and lampshades, a fish tank, of course plus the essential bottles of J&B here and there. Alain Delon persuades with often no more than a glance and is ably supported by Richard Conti and others. Erika Blanc and Rosalba Neri regrettably have only the tiniest of roles but Carla Gravina (The Antichrist) is great - she spends half her screen time laying dishevelled and bloodied but scrubs up nicely for the last section and does well alongside Delon. Predictable, as I say, but still irresistible.

Stylish, moody, innovative revenge-driven bloodbath. Also cheesy, of course, and sporadically very cheesy. It reminded me a lot of The Big Heat because it has the revenge plot set off by the exact same event, and the girl comes around to the good guy's side because of the same bad behavior by the bad guy. It's sad there's no Gloria Grahame but so fantastic that it's Alain Delon and not Glenn Ford. Could there be anyone as beautiful as Alain going around in a cashmere sweater and trenchcoat? Yet he's totally tough and icy cool. No one nowadays can touch him--though someone like Jude Law could try I guess. Hard for any girl to look good with him. The music was funky and perfect and there were several excellent car chases (and those aren't generally my cup of tea)--especially one willy nilly one in the woods. People also met their dooms in creative and bloody fashion, for instance in a junkyard cruncher. But beyond the cheese, the overall atmosphere was affecting and expertly pulled off. More creativity, excitement and freshness in that "forgotten" movie than most of what I've seen lately.

I have just finished watching a Japanese video version of this film (titled Big guns) and found it very entertaining. I would recommend this Franco/Italian made movie to any lovers of the Italian crime genre,why, well for a start the great cast of Euro-stars, apart from Alain Delon there's Marc Porel (Murder to the tune of 7 black notes/live like a cop die like a man), Anton diffring, Richard Conte, Carla Gravina and Erika Blanc. Also the way the movie was executed, a familiar story (of a mafia hitman who wants to retire) but shot and paced excellently. Of course- things don't go to well for the 'want-out' hitman (Delon) and finds himself with a personal vendetta on his hands.Great bloody shoot-outs, great car chases, sexy leading ladies (who also get ruffed-up) and a phat "Schiffrintastic" score sometimes reminiscent of 'Harry's creed'. The version I watched ran into 112 mins and was widescreen.If you get the chance, check this one out.