People embrace the enchanting glow of
the big screen for all manner of reasons; to journey to faraway places they
could only ever imagine, to experience the escapism of a captivating story, or
maybe to indulge in an obsession with the world of cinema. For me, all three of
these reasons apply - and many more - but first and foremost is the
satisfaction of recommending obscure films to other like-minded individuals who
adopt them as their new favourites.
With over 100 years worth of films to
choose from, and many of these now available at the click of a button, it can
be extremely difficult to narrow your choices down to pick a film to watch.
Although cinema has been around for over four times longer than my life on this
earth, I have spent what some may consider an unhealthy amount of these years
delving into the history of films to discover some of the best hidden gems out
there.
This series of articles aims to highlight
the overlooked masterpieces that I have unearthed whilst exploring the
forgotten recesses of cinema. Take a gamble on any one of these films and
I guarantee that you will be eagerly awaiting all future instalments in this
series. You may well have heard of a number of these films; my aim isn't merely
to shine a spotlight on the most obscure films out there, but to share my
enjoyment of those films which don't have the cult following I believe they
deserve.
Milano
Calibro 9
Director
- Fernando Di Leo
Country
- Italy
Year
- 1973
Runtime
- 100 minutes
Italian
cinema of the 70's is renowned for Spaghetti Westerns and Giallo films but not
as much attention is given to the Polizzi genre that was just as prolific in
this era. Stylistically, Polizzi films were very similar to the other popular
Italian pulp genres of the time. They often revolved around conflicts between
hardened criminals and corrupt officials, with lashings of brutal violence
usually accompanied by the operatic music of Ennio Morricone or one of his
peers. Viewed today, many of these films amount to nothing more than a
throwaway piece of entertainment but the highlights of the genre still garner a
certain level of affection from cinephiles, and rightly so.
One of the most infamous and
acclaimed of these films is Milano Calibro 9; a gritty expose on the
Italian criminal underworld. The film's Director, Fernando Di Leo, made his
mark as a writer with uncredited collaborations on the first two films in
Sergio Leone's Dollar's trilogy and Sergio Corbucci's Django all providing him
with an insight into the workings of a successful script. By the time he came
to direct his finest hour, Milano Calibro 9, Di Leo was a seasoned film-maker
with years of experience to draw upon, and a penchant for harsh realism that
was perfectly suited to the Polizzi genre.
In Milano Calibro 9, we are introduced to the criminal underworld
via a case of money that passes through the hands of suspicious and shady
characters - presumably the payment for an unseen deal. When the deal falls
foul of horse play all hell breaks loose and the full wrath of the Italian
Mafiosa is unleashed. This spectacular opening sequence grabs you by the throat
and showcases the ferocity and brutality of one of the film's key players - the
psychopathic gangster, Rocco.
Following on from this explosive prologue the film then segues
into a new chapter where former gang member Ugo (the film's anti-hero) is
released from prison, only to be intercepted by Rocco and threatened with
violence, as his old boss demands repayment for the stolen money. Ugo tries to
steer clear of altercations but with Rocco on his back and the police not far
behind he becomes embroiled in the hunt for the money they believe he stashed
away before his incarceration.
The morality of criminals usually differs when considering the
treatment of their own kind - regardless of whether they are friends or
enemies. The two key players, Ugo (Gastone Moschin) and Rocco (Mario Adorf),
share a kinship even if their criminal paths have them facing off against each
other, and both actors successfully embody this stance in their commendable
portrayals of the gangsters. This begrudging respect that adversaries can have
for one another in the underworld comes to the forefront of the film's finale,
turning a downbeat denouement into an epilogue that is tinged with sadness.
There are scenes of violence towards the latter part of the film,
such as a gung-ho shootout, that veer dangerously close to being over the top.
Exaggerated action is a staple of the Polizzi flicks and at this point in the
story you are likely to be so invested in the survival of the main characters
that you will be willing to overlook such shortcomings.
Part of Milano Calibro 9's appeal is its stirring music that
brings a sense of urgency to the proceedings along with an operatic grandness
usually reserved for epic sagas. Composer Luis Bacalov worked alongside a prog
rock group to create the unforgettable soundtrack. The constant repetition of
the main theme may diminish its impact slightly but it still works incredibly
well in elevating the intensity of key scenes.
If you take the time to watch Milano Calibro 9 then it would
be awesome if you could also take the time to let me know what you thought of
it, either by commenting below or tweeting me @filmbantha. Thanks, and enjoy!
For previous instalments in the series click here
No comments:
Post a Comment