Tony Arzenta (Big Guns)

Alain Delon is great as usual in the genre that fits him like a glove. Tony Arzenta, a Euro-crime action thriller is directed in style and in a manner of a true craftsmen. This is the first Duccio Tessari film I had a chance to watch, and I was mostly drawn to it by knowing what Delon plays best and that is Le Samourai type character, a professional in his emotionless job. In this one he is attached and detached and drives the story to the conclusion that wouldn't stand a New York minute in Hollywood factory of dreams. That's why I love him and Franco/Italian crime films. Highly recommended to all the fans of this genre. You'll enjoy it, no doubt.

.. Delon? That's something that I reckon is more true of other movies, but since he is involved in this one too, let's just say it for this too. You may know him from other bigger roles and movies, but this little movie that can is also one to watch out for.

There is nudity and a lot of violence. Some you may feel is too much (especially when it comes to hurting females), but you always have to see this as a movie of the time. While certain things are being hinted at and you may disagree with priorities the hero sets out ... it is what it is. He still is a "good" one ...

I have just finished watching a Japanese video version of this film (titled Big guns) and found it very entertaining. I would recommend this Franco/Italian made movie to any lovers of the Italian crime genre,why, well for a start the great cast of Euro-stars, apart from Alain Delon there's Marc Porel (Murder to the tune of 7 black notes/live like a cop die like a man), Anton diffring, Richard Conte, Carla Gravina and Erika Blanc. Also the way the movie was executed, a familiar story (of a mafia hitman who wants to retire) but shot and paced excellently. Of course- things don't go to well for the 'want-out' hitman (Delon) and finds himself with a personal vendetta on his hands.

Great bloody shoot-outs, great car chases, sexy leading ladies (who also get ruffed-up) and a phat "Schiffrintastic" score sometimes reminiscent of 'Harry's creed'. The version I watched ran into 112 mins and was widescreen.

If you get the chance, check this one out.

The explosive, sharp-shooting underworld thriller, 'Tony Arzenta' remains an absorbingly gritty Euro-crime classic from expert genre director, Duccio 'Puzzle' Tessari. There's simply no earthly good reason why this uncommonly adrenalizing 70s revenger shouldn't be mentioned in the very same J&B bated breath as cult favourites, 'High Crime', 'Violent Professionals', or 'Violent Rome' as,'Big Guns' high caliber poliziotteschi, and in some specifically groovy sequences, Duccio Tessari's Teflon tuff, well oiled shoot' em up teasingly usurps them!

Employing the reserved, Martini-cool Gallic master of Alpha understatement, Alain Delon as grieving, pitilessly vengeful, Tony is a casting coup; the frosty-eyed, whippet-lean, enigmatic arbiter of righteous retribution, blazes his balletic trail of brutal revenge deep into the ruinous underbelly of the Cosa Nostra remains a gloriously cathartic experience! I readily admit that the unspectacular premise of a weary hit man striving to break free from the mafia's mercenary clutches is a well-thumbed conceit; but when said coda is so rigorously reinterpreted by the uncommonly talented duo of Delon/Tessari, and throbbingly propelled by a truly lovely, heart-skippingly sexy score from gifted sound-wrangler, Gianni Ferrio, any hint of formula is resolutely quashed beneath Big Gun's stylish torrent of cinematic savvy, and the electrifying charisma of the polo necked prince of retro killer chic, Alain Delon, makes resistance nigh on useless!

The Eurocrime subgenre was quite popular in the late 60s & early 70s. But in all honesty most of them are cheap and badly made films. Tony Arzenta (Big Guns) is, despite its terrible title, a positive exception. And that is for three reasons: a cool Delon performance, a superb soundtrack and a great 70s atmosphere. The action is not bad, the story is the most standard story out there (former hitman takes revenge on his old employers for killing his family) and the acting is wooden at its best. But there is something about this film that makes it better than most of its fellow Eurocrime flicks.