One
of the Most Violent of the Italian Crime Films
Original
Italian Title: NAPOLI SPARA! [Naples Shoots!]
also known as WEAPONS OF DEATH
director: Mario Caiano
starring: Leonard Mann · Henry Silva · Evelyne Stewart · Jeff Blynn
· Kristen Gille
Here's
a fast paced Italian crime film, loaded with street violence, robberies,
car chases and cops-vs-the underworld. It's generally considered one
of the best examples of European Polizi, and serves as a perfect
introduction to the genre. Director Caiano exploits the exotic Neapolitan
backdrop, filling it with excessive brutality, including a constant
swirl of bank-robberies, muggings and assaults. The cast is stellar,
with perennial badguy Henry Silva as a slimy underworld boss who becomes
overly ambitious by targeting a police money train in broad daylight
plus, also on hand, there's brooding Spaghetti Western star Leonard
Mann as the tireless detective in pursuit.
Mario Caiano's film has tons (albeit, an overload) of action, violence,
and random explosions. It is easily one of the most violent of the '70s
Italian crime films, punctuated by a memorable soundtrack from master
Francesco De Masi. Filmmaker Caiano began directing in the late '50s,
after learning his craft as a scriptwriter and assistant director. He
made many successful Spaghetti Westerns in the '60s, but was best known
for helming the Barbara Steele horror film LOVERS
FROM THE TOMB (Nightmare Castle, Amanti D'Oltretomb).
He would often use an alias, usually Alen Grunewald or William Hawkins
for his movies. As Hawkins, he helmed NAZI
LOVE CAMP 27, his last feature film before delving into the
more lucrative television field. Mr Caiano died September 20, 2015 at
82 years.
An
Italian production in English language; widescreen format (16:9),
uncut version (87 min.), DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC, playable on
any American machine.
Extras include selected trailers.
Excessive
Violence/Sexual Brutality
for Mature Audiences
![(643) NAPLES SHOOTS! [Napoli Spara!] (1977) Excessively Violent](Images/vd4198_1.jpg "(643) NAPLES SHOOTS! [Napoli Spara!] (1977) Excessively Violent")
