Il sorriso del ragno

Here is the write up from the back of the Magnum VHS video box. An international crime syndicate absconds with over $5 million in precious jewels. Police are baffled. The insurance companies are outraged. When dashing Tony Driscoll-private investigator-is called in, the robbery investigation quickly becomes a murder case. And Driscoll is suspect #1. Dodging cops as well as criminals, Driscoll steps into a subterranean world. A world of beautiful women, exotic ports and sleek fast cars. Where hunter becomes hunted-and romance is heartbeats away from death.

This is a nicely shot crime/action movie starring Gabrielle Tinti. Tinti appeared in many Italian movies of this era and was a really good leading man. He was married to the beautiful Laura Gemser, the star of the Emmanuelle Joe D'amato films. This is a must see for Gabrielle Tinti fans as he is in almost all the scenes. He plays a really cool and smooth private eye. He gets into many fights and shootouts with the bad guys. The movie will appeal to fans of 1970's Italian giallos, police action, and crime films. The best thing in the movie is the beautiful location shots of Greece. Not a great film but it has style and is a fun way to spend 90 minutes.

Perhaps I am somewhat crazy but I think this is really a pretty good movie. I think it moves along at a decent pace and certainly wasn't boring at all. The only criticism I would have is that during the car chase, some of the scenes were sped up and it just made it look silly. Other than that I think it's a cracking little film. Beautifully shot, a decent story, a couple of beautiful women and a 1970 Lamborghini Espada. Who could really ask for more? The print I saw runs to 1h25m but it is listed in IMDb at 1h40m. I wonder what is in the missing 15 minutes? Anyway I think it's a great film and definitely worthy of 85+ minutes of your time. You could do a lot worse.

Apparently Director, Massimo Castellani was given the chance to make this in Greece after assisting Lucio Fulci on One On Top Of The Other but never helmed another. I'm not surprised, this begins with some promise as if it might become a jaunty Euro spy outing, all jangling music, short skirts and compelling chases, twists and surprises. No such luck and here the first thing one notices is just how long the main man is taking to get hold of the job in hand instead of befriending the young lady which seems to be leading him nowhere. Things get worse as long chases begin, by car and on foot to little avail. We move from Marseilles to Rhodes and whilst not unpleasant as a travelogue this film really begins to fall away in the complete absence of any tension or dare I say even any interest. I guess, this would be acceptable if the main leads had great charisma or chemistry together but alas not. Lovely print of a most obscure thriller but I'm afraid it just isn't thrilling.