Street Law

"Street Law" (1974) is one of Italian genre director Enzo G. Castellari's many crime thrillers. Italian superstar Franco Nero plays an ordinary citizen who is temporarily taken hostage and beaten by a group of sadistic bank robbers. He tells his story to the police who blow him off after accusing him of being reckless in fighting back with such dangerous criminals. Good old Nero decides to take the law into his own hands and stage a war with the thugs, against the wishes of his girlfriend (Barbara "Mrs. Ringo Starr" Bach) Director Castellari is credited as being one of the pioneers of the crime/police thriller genre in Italy. He proves to be ingenious in his simple mastery of action sequence staging. His use of Peckinpah-style slow mo is also damn exciting. The editing and cinematography are also very striking! Another plus is the catchy rock score by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis that adds real punch to the great opening credit sequence.

"Street Law" isn't exactly a stand-out or a distinctive piece of cinema in the endless array of action movies from around the world, but Castellari sure as hell is!

Il cittadino si ribella (1974), directed by Enzo G. Castellari, is a gritty and engaging entry into the vigilante justice genre. Starring Franco Nero as the protagonist Carlo Antonelli, the film offers a raw and visceral portrayal of a man pushed to his limits by a society rife with crime and corruption. The premise, while not groundbreaking, is executed with a distinct Italian flair that sets it apart from its American counterparts.

The film's strongest asset is Franco Nero's compelling performance. Nero convincingly captures Antonelli's transformation from a mild-mannered engineer to a determined avenger. His portrayal is nuanced, balancing vulnerability and intensity, which adds depth to a character that could have easily fallen into clichéd territory. The supporting cast, including Giancarlo Prete as the hardened ex-convict Tommy, also delivers solid performances that enhance the film's gritty realism.

Visually, Il cittadino si ribella excels with its dynamic cinematography and gritty urban settings. Castellari's direction is adept at creating tension, particularly in the film's numerous action sequences. The car chases and shootouts are well-choreographed and thrilling, providing a visceral punch that keeps the audience engaged. The film's score, composed by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis, complements the action with its energetic and evocative themes, further immersing viewers in the film's intense atmosphere.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The narrative sometimes feels uneven, with pacing issues that can detract from the overall momentum. Some plot points are resolved too conveniently, which can undermine the film's gritty realism. Despite these shortcomings, Il cittadino si ribella remains a compelling watch, offering a raw and unfiltered look at one man's fight against crime and the personal costs of vigilantism. It's a film that resonates with the frustrations of its era.

The same year "Death Wish" came out, Italy would have its own revenge film. It's an individual who has been tired of the police's incompetence, and would decide to take the law into his own hands. In "Street Law" Franco Nero plays Carlos, a model citizen who gets robbed at the post office by a gang of robbers. But these guys aren't ordinary robbers, they are members of the underworld. That would make it difficult. So he makes his way by having one of the robbers help him out. It wasn't easy, but it was effective enough to let them know that he is a force to be reckoned with. He's one angry man, close enough to be like America's Paul Kersey. An oldie but a goodie. Worth the watch. 2 out of 5 stars.

A bit different to the usual vigilante films, half expected something like Death Wish, the Exterminator or The Big Racket (Which are all great films by the way) and instead it's something a bit more realistic and well thought out. Maybe the action sequences should have been more evenly spread through the film though. What makes it different to the other films is the main character doesn't wipe out hundreds of punks, it is more a story of his calculated revenge and builds it's story up more steadily. Franco Nero plays the most haphazard, cack-handed vigilante ever but is great in the role, certainly more expressive than Robert Ginty in the Exterminator. Not that that's difficult mind. His character is obsessed with revenge and it is well portrayed. It is easy to sympathise with his character and it is engrossing watching him get his revenge. Nero does a lot of his own stunts too including some great stuff with him getting chased and knocked down by a Ford Mustang in slo mo. How he didn't get killed or crippled is incredible.

Talking of cars poor Franco has to make do with an Austin Allegro through most of the film.

Anyway to summarise a good solid well acted film, quite violent, great music score, very well staged action sequences and satisfying climax.

Very much worth a watch.

Shot in the same year of the american "Deathwish" with Charles Bronson, has a similar plot but it results much more realistic and exciting. The great Franco Nero's performance and the brilliant music by the De Angelis brothers make of this an "absolutely must see" for all the fans of this kind of movies !