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Editorial Reviews
Review
Mr. Di Leo's characters are compulsive social animals, surrounded by friends, family and sexually aggressive women. --The New York Times
The maestro of mafia mayhem --Entertainment Weekly
Some of the strongest influences on Quentin Tarantino's early films, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, were the stylized, hyper-violent '70s crime dramas by Italian director Fernando Di Leo that focused on small-time crooks with tenuous life expectancies. Pulp Fiction's assassin duo of John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson bear a striking resemblance to the equally implacable, though decidedly more taciturn, pair of Henry Silva and Woody Strode in 1972's The Italian Connection. --USA Today
The maestro of mafia mayhem --Entertainment Weekly
Some of the strongest influences on Quentin Tarantino's early films, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, were the stylized, hyper-violent '70s crime dramas by Italian director Fernando Di Leo that focused on small-time crooks with tenuous life expectancies. Pulp Fiction's assassin duo of John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson bear a striking resemblance to the equally implacable, though decidedly more taciturn, pair of Henry Silva and Woody Strode in 1972's The Italian Connection. --USA Today
Product Description
The inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s early films, Fernando Di Leo is the master of garish, intricately plotted, ultra-violent stories about pimps and petty gangsters who perfects the genre with an uncanny accuracy. For the first time digitally restored and remastered in collaboration with the Venice Film Festival, 4 of Fernando Di Leo’s masterpieces in one box set. Includes CALIBER 9, THE ITALIAN CONNECTION, THE BOSS, and RULERS OF THE CITY.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Bryan Byrd
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After watching way too many poor transfers of Euro films from the seventies, it's a real treat when I get a chance to see them released by a studio that actually cares what the final product looks like. In my opinion, Raro Video did an outstanding job with these four films, from the production value of the transfers to the package as a whole. I'm not going to imply that each one of these films is a five-star effort - even though fans of this director and this genre will most likely rate them very high, while others may nitpick at them - rather that it is the collection itself that I'm rating as top of the line, one that any enthusiast of Eurocrime or seventies cinema will find it well worth their time to track down.
Were I to rate them separately, I would give each film four stars - they all have their plusses and minuses, which seem inextricably linked in each. The first three films - Caliber 9, The Italian Connection, and The Boss - are part of Di Leo's 'Milieu Trilogy', a loosely linked series that doesn't follow a continuous storyline, but rather examines the criminal landscape of Italy in the early 1970's. Taking inspiration from the stories of Russian-born émigré Giorgio Scerbanenco, 'Caliber 9' (Milano Calibro 9) may very well be the overall best of the three, with Gastone Moschin taking up the part of the just-released convict Ugo Piazza, whom the berserk Mario Adorf suspects of having stolen money from his organization prior to the start of his three year-prison sentence. Labeled as noir by some, with a plot twisting and turning as well as anything by Chandler or Hammett, this film has one remarkable ending.
Mario Adorf returns in 'The Italian Connection' (La Mala Ordina) as a small-time pimp and hustler Luca Canali who gets served up as a fall-guy for two American hit men (Woody Strode and Henry Silva), who are sent to Milan to make an example of the man who stole a shipment of heroin. On the run, with nothing to lose, its either fight back against the overwhelming odds or die. This one is also based on a Scerbanenca story, and though I don't think it's quite on the same level as 'Caliber 9', it is still an extremely entertaining film. Henry Silva is back again in the trilogy's final installment, 'The Boss' (Il Boss), as bit-player Nick Lanzetta, and the film tracks his violent climb to the top of the organization. Somewhat talky, which slows down the film in spots, Silva still shines as an ice-cold killer.
The last film, supposedly exclusive to this box set, is 'Rulers of the City' (I Padroni della Città) with Jack Palance, Al Cliver and Harry Baer. This film seems somewhat mislabeled as a comedy - it is a bit more light-hearted than the others, but that's about it. Baer (looking like nothing so much as the younger brother of Robert Downey Jr.) and Cliver, a couple of nobodies trying to get ahead in the world, scam Palance's organization out of 10 million Lira. Getting the money was easy - getting away with it is the hard part.
All four films are highly entertaining, though time and distance mutes some of the social commentary that di Leo peppered his films with. All but 'The Italian Connection' include a soundtrack by Luis Bacalov, which reminds me (especially in 'Caliber 9') of the outstandingly funky pinball theme from Sesame Street. I watched all the films in Italian, but they all come with both English and Italian options. From my understanding, all Italian films from this time were re-dubbed after filming, even for Italian audiences, and 'Caliber 9' has probably the worst dubbing of the four films, though I consider this somewhat to be expected with these films and don't subtract much because of it. The 'Milieu Trilogy' films are all in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1; 'Rulers of the City' is non-anamorphic wide-screen (black bars on top, bottom and sides). Above all, these films look terrific. Restored and remastered, they pop off the screen. Extras include five documentaries spread out over the four discs, consisting of interviews with Di Leo, his actors and crew, and historians to address different subjects relating to each film. Also included in the box set is a small booklet containing excerpts of the Di Leo interview.
While its understandable that anyone can get a lemon, I thought the packaging in this collection was fine - each film comes in its own case, and which are exactly the same as regular DVD packaging except that they are half as thick. The DVD itself is affixed to a spindle to keep it in place (as it is in traditional cases), and unlike some cheap sets, the tension on the spindle is sufficient to keep the DVD from slipping off and banging around loose inside the case. All my DVD's arrived in good shape and played well, and I highly recommend the entire set.
Were I to rate them separately, I would give each film four stars - they all have their plusses and minuses, which seem inextricably linked in each. The first three films - Caliber 9, The Italian Connection, and The Boss - are part of Di Leo's 'Milieu Trilogy', a loosely linked series that doesn't follow a continuous storyline, but rather examines the criminal landscape of Italy in the early 1970's. Taking inspiration from the stories of Russian-born émigré Giorgio Scerbanenco, 'Caliber 9' (Milano Calibro 9) may very well be the overall best of the three, with Gastone Moschin taking up the part of the just-released convict Ugo Piazza, whom the berserk Mario Adorf suspects of having stolen money from his organization prior to the start of his three year-prison sentence. Labeled as noir by some, with a plot twisting and turning as well as anything by Chandler or Hammett, this film has one remarkable ending.
Mario Adorf returns in 'The Italian Connection' (La Mala Ordina) as a small-time pimp and hustler Luca Canali who gets served up as a fall-guy for two American hit men (Woody Strode and Henry Silva), who are sent to Milan to make an example of the man who stole a shipment of heroin. On the run, with nothing to lose, its either fight back against the overwhelming odds or die. This one is also based on a Scerbanenca story, and though I don't think it's quite on the same level as 'Caliber 9', it is still an extremely entertaining film. Henry Silva is back again in the trilogy's final installment, 'The Boss' (Il Boss), as bit-player Nick Lanzetta, and the film tracks his violent climb to the top of the organization. Somewhat talky, which slows down the film in spots, Silva still shines as an ice-cold killer.
The last film, supposedly exclusive to this box set, is 'Rulers of the City' (I Padroni della Città) with Jack Palance, Al Cliver and Harry Baer. This film seems somewhat mislabeled as a comedy - it is a bit more light-hearted than the others, but that's about it. Baer (looking like nothing so much as the younger brother of Robert Downey Jr.) and Cliver, a couple of nobodies trying to get ahead in the world, scam Palance's organization out of 10 million Lira. Getting the money was easy - getting away with it is the hard part.
All four films are highly entertaining, though time and distance mutes some of the social commentary that di Leo peppered his films with. All but 'The Italian Connection' include a soundtrack by Luis Bacalov, which reminds me (especially in 'Caliber 9') of the outstandingly funky pinball theme from Sesame Street. I watched all the films in Italian, but they all come with both English and Italian options. From my understanding, all Italian films from this time were re-dubbed after filming, even for Italian audiences, and 'Caliber 9' has probably the worst dubbing of the four films, though I consider this somewhat to be expected with these films and don't subtract much because of it. The 'Milieu Trilogy' films are all in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1; 'Rulers of the City' is non-anamorphic wide-screen (black bars on top, bottom and sides). Above all, these films look terrific. Restored and remastered, they pop off the screen. Extras include five documentaries spread out over the four discs, consisting of interviews with Di Leo, his actors and crew, and historians to address different subjects relating to each film. Also included in the box set is a small booklet containing excerpts of the Di Leo interview.
While its understandable that anyone can get a lemon, I thought the packaging in this collection was fine - each film comes in its own case, and which are exactly the same as regular DVD packaging except that they are half as thick. The DVD itself is affixed to a spindle to keep it in place (as it is in traditional cases), and unlike some cheap sets, the tension on the spindle is sufficient to keep the DVD from slipping off and banging around loose inside the case. All my DVD's arrived in good shape and played well, and I highly recommend the entire set.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nothing to add in the way of another film review.
The treatment of these movies is good, they look and sound very nice.
Yes, the cases are a bit flimsy but they're acceptable.
I, too, had an issue with the Il Boss disc. The feature doesn't freeze up but the Storie di Mafia documentary does have the 30 second audio delay. It's pretty f'n annoying and might render it unwatchable for many. I'm pretty patient with such things and still had a difficult time.
The "anyone can get a lemon" assessment by an earlier reviewer doesn't apply here.
The now-majority of Amazon buyers are having these same problems.
What seems odd to me is that the quality warnings on here are getting "1 out of 5 found this helpful" responses.
Seems to me that it might be kind of important to a potential buyer.
For whatever it's worth I'll contact RaroVideo.
Still, I won't be returning the set.
The films are great and I'm happy to have spent $20 to have them collected.
UPDATE: The good people at RaroVideo are aware of the issue, have fixed it and have offered to send me a replacement.
The treatment of these movies is good, they look and sound very nice.
Yes, the cases are a bit flimsy but they're acceptable.
I, too, had an issue with the Il Boss disc. The feature doesn't freeze up but the Storie di Mafia documentary does have the 30 second audio delay. It's pretty f'n annoying and might render it unwatchable for many. I'm pretty patient with such things and still had a difficult time.
The "anyone can get a lemon" assessment by an earlier reviewer doesn't apply here.
The now-majority of Amazon buyers are having these same problems.
What seems odd to me is that the quality warnings on here are getting "1 out of 5 found this helpful" responses.
Seems to me that it might be kind of important to a potential buyer.
For whatever it's worth I'll contact RaroVideo.
Still, I won't be returning the set.
The films are great and I'm happy to have spent $20 to have them collected.
UPDATE: The good people at RaroVideo are aware of the issue, have fixed it and have offered to send me a replacement.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By W Mianecke
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I came upon this set after reading a positive review of CALIBER 9. I decided to take a chance and check out 4 by this acclaimed yet unknown-to-me director.
Each film looks and sounds great, especially in the original language/dialects.
CALIBER 9 was my favorite for plot and acting. The twists and turns of the plot worked quite well, and the climactic revelation is so well-filmed it's astounding. AWESOME stuff. VERY SERIOUS. And Barbara Bouchet is a serious eye-full throughout. Impressive action drama, not just puffed-up swaggering macho nonsense.
THE BOSS was my favorite, though, for outrageous, cold, trashy, guilty-pleasure CARNAGE. Henry Silva taking out a bunch of (spoiler) in a (spoiler) with a (spoiler) has to be one of my new favorite action sequences. And he does it silently. None of the stupid cliche's we've been subjected to in contemporary films, like screaming, two-gun-toting, anguished killers. This is his job and he gets it done and in doing so he left my jaw dropped open to the floor. Lots of dark humor in this one. Never thought I'd laugh with some of the things I did while enjoying this one.
RULERS OF THE CITY has some well-choreographed nastiness throughout, and Jack Palance owns the screen every time he enters it. I liked the contrast of the younger, capricious, less commanding, less serious male lead in this compared to the other 3 films.
THE ITALIAN CONNECTION was, in my opinion, rather ho-hum, dated and way too serious, but, it had its moments, too. I just found the acting of the leads in that one to have nowhere near the charisma seen in the other 3 films. (yes, eve though Henry Silva is in THE BOSS as well.) And it is melodramatic to the nth degree.
I'd recommend this set to anyone who loves oversaturated celluloid, gorgeous 60's Italian design, go-go dancers occupying the full ratio of the screen, and some dead-serious vengeance.
Each film looks and sounds great, especially in the original language/dialects.
CALIBER 9 was my favorite for plot and acting. The twists and turns of the plot worked quite well, and the climactic revelation is so well-filmed it's astounding. AWESOME stuff. VERY SERIOUS. And Barbara Bouchet is a serious eye-full throughout. Impressive action drama, not just puffed-up swaggering macho nonsense.
THE BOSS was my favorite, though, for outrageous, cold, trashy, guilty-pleasure CARNAGE. Henry Silva taking out a bunch of (spoiler) in a (spoiler) with a (spoiler) has to be one of my new favorite action sequences. And he does it silently. None of the stupid cliche's we've been subjected to in contemporary films, like screaming, two-gun-toting, anguished killers. This is his job and he gets it done and in doing so he left my jaw dropped open to the floor. Lots of dark humor in this one. Never thought I'd laugh with some of the things I did while enjoying this one.
RULERS OF THE CITY has some well-choreographed nastiness throughout, and Jack Palance owns the screen every time he enters it. I liked the contrast of the younger, capricious, less commanding, less serious male lead in this compared to the other 3 films.
THE ITALIAN CONNECTION was, in my opinion, rather ho-hum, dated and way too serious, but, it had its moments, too. I just found the acting of the leads in that one to have nowhere near the charisma seen in the other 3 films. (yes, eve though Henry Silva is in THE BOSS as well.) And it is melodramatic to the nth degree.
I'd recommend this set to anyone who loves oversaturated celluloid, gorgeous 60's Italian design, go-go dancers occupying the full ratio of the screen, and some dead-serious vengeance.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent films by Fernando Di Leo!
If you like crime movies you should definitely buy this set from RARO VIDEO! Only bad is that the box set is DVD and not Blu-Ray but I'll some day correct it.
Published 17 days ago by Petri Vuorio
5.0 out of 5 stars
Master Poliziesco
This box is an American version of the film ever released in Italy. A must for those who enjoy a real Italian crime, violent and rude. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Otavio Pereira
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 of 4
Are you kidding me?!?!
The quality of the first 3 films is through the roof.
Calibre 9 and Italian connection are completely different in terms of theme and rendering,... Read more
The quality of the first 3 films is through the roof.
Calibre 9 and Italian connection are completely different in terms of theme and rendering,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by grafdog
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE CREAM!!!!!!!
Each and every film here a classic. I have most of them on bad vhs transfers from the 80's, MILIAN CALIBRE, MANHUNT, SCARFACE. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Richard J. Oravitz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Grindhouse-Era Italian Crime Classics
[FERNANDO DI LEO - THE ITALIAN CRIME COLLECTION - (1973-74-76) -Widescreen presentation] Excellent collection of four grindhouse-era crime flicks that are impeccably digitally... Read more
Published 20 months ago by 4-Legged Defender
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Italian Crime Movies
Wow. This set is wonderful. I love Italian movies, especially Italian CRIME movies and this one does not disappoint. Fernandao Di Leo knows how to film action (gunplay) scenes. Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Krall
2.0 out of 5 stars
boss dvd is defective
I got this set today.The dvd of the boss freezes several times around the one hour mark as another reviewer has said. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Gregory D. Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars
Problems with "The Boss".
I"ve had problems with three copies of "The Boss" freezing between 1:00 and 1:05 mark. The special feature documentary "Storie di mafia" has about a 30 second delay between the... Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by Kevin D. Hanson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great movies, great price, poor packaging
Movies are great, as good as they've ever looked. Packaging is very cheap - very thin plastic cases. Two of four DVDs came loose during shipping and were scratched. Read more
Published on April 22, 2011 by Gasoline Dream
