Enzo Castellari

[Splatterdragon73]

Originally Posted by Paul@Lovelockandload

THE BIG RACKET (but make sure you go for the US release as the UK disc is cut).

The scene in this film where Fabio Testi's car is pushed over and rolls down a hill (with the actor still in it!) is pretty astounding to watch as the shot is from within the tumbling vehicle if i remember correctly.

[Vendaval Este]

Anyone seen this? I'm a bit new to Castellari but from what I can gather this is one of his more obscure pieces, being only available on bootleg.

It looks like it was shot on cameras that were used for TV movies back in the 80s but it has some fairly decent action (as well as a few stupidly drawn-out scenes), and acting that is pretty good for what it is, it's just a shame about the incredibly limited soundtrack, which seems to have two pieces total.

The star (I think his name is Frank Zagarino) looks good, but he comes off as being too soft-faced at times for an action hero, almost as if he wants to cry.

The odd thing about this was that it was released as "Striker 2" in Germany, while it probably could have been released as some warped prequel to Bruno Mattei's Strike Commando (I say that only because of how weird these films are with sequel numbers and actually following on from themselves).

[Paul@TheOverlook]

I was released by Colorbox (I believe) on UK VHS back in the 80s...

If you're new to Castallari, I would certainly recommend you checking out the following films:

The Big Racket (available on a Region free DVD in the US from Blue Underground)
Street Law (Ditto)
Johnny Hamlet (Koch, Germany, R2 DVD)
Keoma (Argent Films, UK)

I have heard a rumour about a UK company releasing High Crime later on this year. If it does turn up, I say snap it up immediately! It's my favourite Castellari film.

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Paul@Lovelockandload

I was released by Colorbox (I believe) on UK VHS back in the 80s...

It was heavily cut too.

[Pete]

I'm a big Castellari fan, my fave films of his are:

Keoma
The Big Racket
Street Law
Escape from The Bronx
The Heroin Busters

I noticed his film The Loves and Times of Scaramouche is getting a UK release (probably a bootleg) with 1 second cut by the BBFC. Anyone seen it?

His website has some decent behind the scenes pics:

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by loops

I noticed his film The Loves and Times of Scaramouche is getting a UK release (probably a bootleg) with 1 second cut by the BBFC. Anyone seen it?

Previously passed uncut for cinema with an 'A' certificate. Remarkably boring it is too.

[Demoncrat]

The New Barbarians (1983)


Wooooh mother dearest etc. Stonking PA actioner from a steady genre hand. Hail. It's so violent. Eastman and The Hammer?? Sold. Set in 2019 and all. Rewatch!!!