Plattfuß in Afrika

Stefano Vanzina is one of the great authors of adventure films,and Piedone l'Africano (1978) is one of his best movies,and also one of the best adventure movies ever. This director is the one who made Piedone d'Egitto (1979),Piedone a Hong Kong (1975),Piedone Lo Sbirro (1974),Banana Joe (1982) ,etc.;the south-African adventures are the most fanciful,lively,imaginative and thrilling of the whole Piedone franchise,a delight,and a feats of the picturesque cinema.There are many wonderful scenes,and a lot of gusto,and an instinct for merry adventures.Beautiful animals set free are shown,and some of the presumable delights of a safari,and there is also a dose of burlesque comic,and some suspense.

The great Steno had a style,and his funny movies are picturesque and fresh,merry and low-brow.Pragmatic,very simple,efficient;no originality,no ideas,but enough fun,the work of an able director.They offer exactly what they promised.Many Italian adventure movies are characteristically for a nation that knows how to amuse with low budgets and a vivid sense of the show.These African tribulations are fast-paced,but there is time for a smile.Piedone and his buddy did left Italy;they are now in a different continent.But it is like they are chasing villains in the backyard,and as if they never left Napoli.

The celebrated Bud Spencer is not required to act;instead,we expect him to have an almost respectable air,and some indulgence,but also not a few violence,and to be massive and comic;he is. An interesting presence is Dagmar Lassander.

Amusing comedy set on Napoles and a far country as South Africa for Bud Spencer enthusiasts , repeating his usual role as comissario , this time dealing with diamonds robbing and drugs . Rizzo (Bud Spencer or Carlo Perdesoli) is a corpulent and bouncing cop from Napoles . Commissary Rizzo gets a phone message from an African man who wants to meet him . One time happens the meeting the stranger is shot , but Rizzo gets a photograph of his little son . Rizzo nicknamed Flatfoot travels to big city of Johannesburg and finds Bodo ( a likable Zulu little boy ) and his former partner (Enzo Cannavale ) who poses as restaurant owner . Rizzo goes to the mansion a rich man (Joe Steward) there he dances with Mary ( a gorgeous Dagmar Lassander) a moving dancing . Later , he goes a safari where meets enemies (Werner Pochath) , facing off dangers, and several adventures.

This is a good entertaining juvenile for Bud Spencer fans , as he's delightful . It packs action, fist-play , slapdash , humor with tongue-in-cheek and is quite amusing . This release has some cool and several hilarious moments, though the Terence Hill-Bud Spencer duo films are better . The film isn't always good , sometimes is fresh and diverting and on a couple of memorable occasions ,it's frankly delicious. The movie displays innumerable laughters , jokes and slapstick . Enjoyable screenplay by Verucci and Giovanni Simonelli . Catching musical score with noisy songs by Guido and Mauricio De Angelis (Spaghetti Western habitual) and composed by synthesizer , as usual . Colorful cinematography by Alberto Spagnoli who photographs splendidly the African outdoors . The motion picture was professionally directed by Steno , Stefano Vanzina (father of Carlo Vanzina). He wrote and directed in the 60s Toto vehicles (Toto vs the four, Two colonels) ; Walter Chiari and Raimondo Vianello shows (Heroes of the West, Twins from Texas). In the 70s and 80s directed Bud Spencer movies about Flatfoot or Rizzo, also called Piedone, such as, ¨Flatfoot in Hong Kong¨, ¨Flatfoot in Egypt¨ and ¨Banana Joe¨ , among others. And in the 80s directed TV series , ¨the Professore Jack Clementi¨, again with Bud Spencer. Rating : Acceptable and passable , though only for Bud Spencer fans .

Even if you like Bud Spencer movies, then "Piedone l'africano" and "Piedone in Egitto" will be a revelation: Bud, this fist-fighting bear, can also act, if the script and the director will leave him to. Seriously: Both movies contain *plot* and are not shot for the mere fist fighting scenes that make Bud Spencer so popular. They contain also a very intriguing score. Watch it, it's a must!