After losing the chief suspect in an extensive drug deal (following an absolutely batshit chase sequence that begins with a footrace and ends with a real bang… but more on that later), hot-headed and hard-assed Police Vice-Commissioner Belli (Franco Nero, 1966’s Django) tries to deduce who the new player in Gangland is… a player that does as they please without honor.
Additionally the idea of upstart rivals for his business goes over like a fart in a submarine with old school mob boss Cafiero (Fernando Rey, The French Connection), but it’s only a matter of time before there’s a full on Mafia war going on all over town with gangsters getting offed left and right… in increasingly violent fashion.
While the bad guy body-count rises, Belli continues to butt heads with his boss, Chief Commissioner Aldo Scavino (James Whitmore, The Shawshank Redemption) while caring for his young daughter, Anita (Stefania Girolami Goodwin, daughter of the picture’s director Enzo G. Castellari) and trying to keep his relationship with his girlfriend Mirella (Delia Boccardo) intact… oh, and solving the increasingly violent crime would rock as well…
As High Crimes begins with an over ten minute, dialog-free, chase sequence set to the jazz funk score provided by the De Angelis brothers that truly sets the pace for the madness to come as our hero scrambles to stop the Mafia murders happening at an alarming, and at times preposterous rate.
And what murders they are boils n’ ghouls, as everything from motorcycles to meat hooks are used to really rip those gangsters (on both sides) a new one, while cars crash, fists meet faces, and early ’70’s fashions delight (or horrify, depending on your tolerance for polyester) our eyes.
The cast assembled here is top-notch as well, with Nero and his moustache making for a great tortured hero/smartass that always manages to be one small step behind the bag guys, Whitmore as his personable, yet stubborn commanding officer, and Rey making for a gaudy Godfather that seems to always know more than our hero.
Additionally there are some incredible locations utilized here including some truly post-apocalyptic seaside environs that give an already over-the-top action picture an unexpected surreal vibe as well.
Special cosplay awards go to Anita and the Vampire Hunter D ensemble she enters the picture in, and the one goon who dresses like Serpico throughout the film… absolutely amazing.
Speaking of “amazing” things, the transfer good ol’ Blue Underground uses here () is pretty damn sweet (technical jargon, trust me) with a crystal clear image that features great detail, rich colors (that bring those tacky ’70s color choices to vivid life), and solid blacks.
Enhancing all of the above are a host of special features that kick off on Disc One (the 4K version of the film utilized for the majority of this review)…
Straight out of the gate we are treated to three audio commentaries (featuring Castellari, Nero (joined by Filmmaker Mike Malloy), and Film Historians Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson & Eugenio Ercolani respectively) that examine the film’s production, history, and themes in incredible detail.
Also included on Disc One is an alternate (truncated) ending to the film, and the picture’s theatrical trailer.
Disc 2 contains a Blu-ray edition of the film along with the aforementioned commentaries, alternate ending and trailer… but there is much more on offer here including: interviews with Castellari, Nero, actor/stuntman Massimo Vanni (Serpico himself!), camera operator Robert Girometti, and the De Angelis brothers, and a brief examination of Euro-crime flicks by Mike Malloy, and a promotional image gallery.
Disc 3 features the absolutely incredible soundtrack to the film on CD.
Violent, action-packed, smart, and fast-paced, High Crime is an irresistible entry in the Euro-crime genre and should not be missed!
