Contraband (1980)
Perhaps not one of Lucio Fulci's more celebrated films, Contraband is still a fine late example of the Italian crime school. Whilst not up with the best of the genre (My personal favourites are Violent Naples, Rome Armed to the Teeth, The Cop in Blue Jeans, Street Law and Beast With a Gun) it's a film full of action and loaded with Fulci's trademark violence. The film about gang wars, revenge, smuggling and crime bosses is nothing new and doesn't add much to the genre, but it's a film that's difficult to dislike or criticize because it's all done with such verve. The dvd cover depicts a bullet to the head of a punter at the races but that doesn't come close in the grue stakes to the bullet in the neck sequence. So whilst Contraband may not be the most original poliziotteschi, it's certainly one of the goriest.
Fabio Testi gives a fine performance as the films anti hero Luca, and Fulci keeps the story moving fairly quickly as we wait with baited breath to see what else the effects maestro's shatter our senses with.
I tried watching the film subtitled with the Italian audio. Unfortunately its pretty poor and sounds weak and hissy compared to the strong English version. However this gripe aside, Contraband is a very welcome release from Shameless.
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