The underworld attacks...the police react: Italian crime film with Leonard Mann and John Steiner
This film by Mario Caiano never made it to West German cinemas. In Italy it brought at least ITL 693 million into the box office. Crime films were churned out at the Cinecitta in 1977. This one had a noticeably smaller budget (it saves on car chases and excessive shooting), but offers good entertainment.
There's something going on in Rome again! Three underworld bosses are wiped out in Mario Olivieri's (Roberto Messina) house. The young Inspector Baldi (Leonard Mann) suspects the fine Professor Salvati (Chris Avram), known as the Prince. After all, Olivieri works for him. However, Baldi's superiors consider the professor to be a pillar of society. If you're not mistaken! The Roman small-time gangster Rudy (great: John Steiner) is extremely ambitious and increasingly openly challenges the oh-so-clean prince. Hot on his heels is ex-police officer Rampelli (Ettore Manni), who also has a score to settle with Salvati. And then there is Laura Olivieri (Maria Rosaria Omaggio), who sits in a wheelchair and is unmistakably fond of Commissario Zuckerschnute. The smart Baldi will use her as bait to play Rudy and Salvati against each other...
A little complicated, but definitely exciting! John Steiner delivers a fantastic performance as a psychopathic gangster. Leonard Mann, born in 1947, is just as cute a model Italian as Franco Gasparri from the competing films "Mark, il poliziotto". That's why he repeatedly appears in such films. Of course he doesn't reach the intensity of Maurizio Merli or even Franco Nero. But that doesn't detract from the good entertainment.
Highly recommended EuroCrime thriller!
