![]() ![]() Yet two people are killed and the robbers make off with a van full of hostages. They have their own people poising as factory workers. They know where and when the robbery is to take place. First, no real police would bungle a heist set-up as bad as the police in this film. While I could write about several instances where the movie stretches credibility, I'll limit these comments to two. The rest is above average and adds to the drama and tension on screen. His main theme is one of those pieces of music that gets stuck in your head and you can't get it out. Until seeing Beast with a Gun, I'm not sure I had seen a film scored by Umberto Smaila. It's too bad the decision was made to ignore her character for the final third of the movie. Marisa Mell is another of those European actresses who may not have been much of a thespian, but she has a certain screen presence that's undeniable. He's the kind of character you wouldn't want to run into in real life. The ferocious way he beats-up the gas attendant for no real purpose at all is the perfect example. The things he is capable of doing can be at times shocking. Nanni Vitali is one of those vicious, brutal, sadistic type characters that are necessary for this kind of film to work. She double-crosses Nanni and goes to the police. After he's murdered, Nanni kidnaps his girlfriend, Giuliana Caroli (Marisa Mell), and threatens to kill her unless she agrees to help him pull-off a payroll heist. ![]() Their main target is the man who turned them in. ![]() However, this isn't important as Beast With a Gun does the important thing - that being entertain the audience - very well, and fans of Italian crime films won't want to miss it!įour escaped convicts, led by Nanni Vitali (Helmut Berger), go on a killing spree. Realism obviously wasn't big on director Sergio Grieco's priority list, however, as the film features numerous instances that don't make a lot of sense - the scene that springs to mind instantly is the one where a certain female cast member is shot in the leg.and then instantly diagnoses it as 'not serious' and barely bats an eyelid! I've got to say, if I got shot it would be VERY SERIOUS, no matter where it got me. Beast With a Gun also features an excellent soundtrack, which goes well with the film and definitely adds to every scene it features in. He is joined by experienced Eurocult actress Marisa Mell, who provides the eye candy in style! Richard Harrison rounds off the central cast with the token 'cop' role and like his co-stars - plays it well. Berger is absolutely spot on with his role as the nasty criminal at the centre of the tale, and every moment he's on screen is completely gripping. The main strength that this film has is undoubtedly Helmut Berger. He also wants the girl to help them pull off a robbery and she agrees to help them, but not before telling the police all about it. However, when they catch up with him Nanni takes a shine to his girlfriend, and proceeds to brutally rape her before killing the snitch. Their leader is a man named Nanni Vitali, and their first port of call after escaping from jail is killing the dirty scumbag that turned them in. So Beast With a Gun might not be everyone's cup of tea - but I think most people would agree that the nasty edge certainly gives the film a bit more 'bite'! The film begins with the escape of three nasty convicts. You can't get much cooler than an Italian crime film, and Beast With a Gun is yet another excellent example of this cult sub-genre! The film is quite a lot nastier than the majority of Italian crime films that I've seen, and at times it feels like it owes a lot to the exploitation genre! Naturally, there's the usual array of fistfights, shootouts and car chases but here we've also got rapes and scenes of torture - among other stuff. If you want some good, old-fashioned Italiam crime atmosphere then Mad Dog or Beast with a Gun is for you. Like another reviewer noted, the script and plot have some obvious problems, but the pace and delivery more than offset those inadequacies. Muscle-bound Richard Harrison, who you might remember from some older sword and sandal movies, plays the cop out to protect himself and his family. His scenes in the abandoned warehouse and with newly acquired "moll" the beautiful Marisa Mell particularly stand out. He has no heart whatsoever and is quite something to see. Helmut Berger is the best thing about this film as he plays a violent, sadistic psychopath with the best of them. No, it is not outstanding or anything superlative like that, but it is rather enjoyable to watch as a crook/killer gets out of prison to wreak havoc and revenge on those responsible for putting him there in the first place. I'm not sure which title I like more but this film does indeed have a certain special charm to it. ![]()
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