Section de choc

Colt 38 special squad is a rare breed in the poliziotteschi genre. Excellent shot and filled with great casting, cinematographer/director Massimo Dallamano really comes trough on this one. Known for his outstanding camera precision on the Sergio Leone trilogy Colt 38 grapes you all the way. Of course there are a lot good examples for movies in those Italian cop/crime films.Like Milano Calibre 9 or The big racket. But Colt 38 special squad belongs among those films. Rather than just focusing on the usual violence this one delivers also a other angle, those of the mental-pain and struggle. Like a real pro Massimo let's you get involved in those characters and start to care form them. With all well paced storytelling we follow French crime lord Ivan Rassimov as the Dark angel in his mad rage against the city and his cops. Expeccialy against Marcel Bozzuffi as hard boiled Capitan Vanni. An old beef is going on between the two of them. Personal as can be, Vanni and his special crew of cops now not only arresting the locals bastards but are also mix up in the personal vendetta between Vanni and the crew of Dark Angel. The result is well packed storytelling with some brutal, but subtle action. Colt 38 is a well crafted movie with memorable scenes. Think in the line of city bombing and care chases. Rassimov is one's of the most cool killers. But really, Vanni is stealing the show in my opine that is. Of course also in real life those guys competing. Both are die hard actors. Dirty rotten by all those amazing scripts in there carrier. Kinda like De Niro and Pacino in Heat. Do not make the mistake of thinking less about this movie in budget ways. It's great cinema and a prime example of Polliziotesschi madness. Not to be missed

"Quelli della calibro 38" (1976), directed by Massimo Dallamano, is an Italian crime thriller that packs a punch with its gritty narrative and stylish execution. Earning a solid 7/10, this film stands out as a notable entry in the poliziottesco genre, blending intense action with a keen sense of atmosphere.

Set against the backdrop of a crime-ridden Milan, the film follows Commissioner Vanni (Marcel Bozzuffi) as he battles against a ruthless gang terrorizing the city. Vanni is a classic tough-as-nails cop, embodying the relentless determination and moral ambiguity typical of protagonists in this genre. Bozzuffi's performance is compelling, exuding a raw intensity that anchors the film.

Dallamano, known for his sharp directorial style, crafts a world that feels palpably dangerous and alive. The cinematography captures the urban decay of Milan, with its shadowy alleyways and bustling streets, creating a visually striking setting for the unfolding drama. The film's pacing is brisk, maintaining tension throughout with a series of well-executed action sequences and taut confrontations.

One of the film's strengths lies in its supporting cast. The villains are suitably menacing, with a standout performance by Ivan Rassimov as the cold-blooded gang leader. The dynamic between the characters adds depth to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple cops-and-robbers tale.

The soundtrack, composed by Stelvio Cipriani, deserves special mention. Its pulsating rhythms and dramatic scores perfectly complement the film's tone, enhancing the sense of urgency and danger that permeates each scene.

However, "Quelli della calibro 38" is not without its flaws. The plot, while engaging, occasionally dips into predictability, relying on familiar tropes of the genre. Some of the dialogue feels stilted, and the character development, particularly of the secondary characters, could have been more fleshed out.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the film succeeds in delivering an engrossing and atmospheric crime drama. It captures the essence of the poliziottesco genre, with its blend of action, drama, and stylistic flair. Fans of Italian crime cinema will find much to appreciate in Dallamano's work, from the gritty realism of its setting to the intensity of its performances.

In conclusion, "Quelli della calibro 38" (1976) is a commendable entry in the realm of 1970s crime thrillers. With its gritty narrative, strong performances, and stylish direction. It's a film that, despite its occasional predictability, manages to grip its audience and deliver a memorable cinematic experience.

Captain Vanni(Marcel Bozzuffi)kills the brother of the vicious crime boss Marsiglese a.k.a. Black Angel(Ivan Rassimov)during warehouse shoot-out.Angry Marsiglese murders Vanni's wife in front of their kid.After the funeral his superiors decide to create special team of four motorcycle riding cops with Colt 38 pistols.Marsiglese returns to Torino with a gruesome plan which involves explosives hidden in suitcases plus plenty of ordinary people killed during detonations in public places.Very violent and exciting Italian polizioteschi flick with fantastic car/motorcycle chase sequences and some spectacular explosions.The acting by Marcel Bozzuffi and Ivan Rassimov is great as is the score of Stelvio Cipriani.8 Colt 38 pistols out of 10.

Colt 38 Special Squad does pretty much everything you would want an Italian crime flick to do - and it does it in style! Like many of the best Polizi flicks, this one takes most of it's influence from Don Siegel's masterpiece Dirty Harry, with the weapon used by Clint Eastwood's disgruntled copper obviously being the main point of interest. As is the case with many of these films, the rising crime in Italy takes centre stage, and the plot is based on the police's attempts to halt the crime through an innovative new means. Hard bitten police captain, Capitan Vanni, is fed up of the way that his city is being run by criminals - "The Black Angel" in particular, whom Vannia has an old feud with. So, he gets clearance from his superiors to set up a 'special squad' - a team made up of four of the police's best shooters, all armed with Colt .38's for maximum impact on organised crime! But the stakes are raised when The Black Angel steals some dynamite, and starts putting his time to good use by blowing up various things within the city...

The film is directed by Massimo Dallamano, who is of course, most famous for his 'Schoolgirls in Peril' trilogy. Dallamano does another excellent job here, as he manages to keep up the fast pace throughout and the film is never boring for a second. The characters are surprisingly easy to get on with, and for an Italian crime flick; it's all rather believable too, which is a bonus. French actor Marcel Bozzuffi takes the lead role and does an excellent job with it. While he is clearly meant to come off a bit like Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, Bozzuffi makes the role his own and gives himself sufficient distance from the classic Eastwood character to ensure that he's not just an imitation. The great Ivan Rassimov co-stars and gives another convincing bad guy performance. The Black Angel is surely one of his most interesting roles, and fans of Rassimov won't want to miss this! It all boils down to an invigorating and worthwhile conclusion that does the film justice. Overall, Colt .38 Special Squad is certainly at the top of the Polizi genre and comes highly recommended!

Quelli della calibro 38 (1976) turns out to be interesting and plenty of vivid action , suspense and thriller . Marcel Bozzuffi's nice performance as two-fisted Inspector Vanni, the brave and taciturn inspector who utilizing his long pistol kills baddies , acting as a judge , jury and executioner . It packs intrigue , violence, action-filled and being a really effective film. A nail-biting thriller in which Inspector Vanni (Marcel Bozzuffi) attempts to bring Turin's most powerful crime lord and psychotic murderer to justice. That's why the police commissioner forms a well-trained secret motorized brigade in order to fight a dangerous terrorist who is depositing bombs throughout the city of Turin. Vanni attepts to track down Marsigliese/Black Angel (Ivan Rassimov), his henchman Guido Pugliese (Antonio Marsina) and other hoodlums in an effort to catch them at whatever cost, as he'll stop at nothing to get it . Vanni pursues the revenge-obsessed series killer and encounters he has more problems with him than he expected and eventually taking the law into his own hands . Rule-breaking Vanni strides grimly throughout Turin in pursuit the murderous, including thrilling pursuits, motorcycles and car chases . Whatever your reservations about Vanni's expeditious methods we know he'll always vanquish, shooting in cold blood with his pistol: 'calibro 38'. Inspector Vanni makes Dirty Harry look like Mr. Clean! .He lives by the law - Vanni's Law .Vigilante enforcers - lurking in the dark... waiting to kill!

Effective installment in Poliziesco genre is still gripping and moving. 'Poliziesco' or Poliziottesco' was an Italian popular genre from Seventies , whose main representatives were: Maurizio Merli, Franco Nero, Fabio Testi or Tomas Milian, that include notorious films as Street Law (1973), High Crime (1974), Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare (1974), Free Hand For a Tough Cop (1976) , Brothers Till We Die (1978) , From Corleone to Brooklyn (1979), Poliziotto solitudine e rabbia (1979), Speed cross (1980), Speed driver (1980), they were the most successful and brutal of these kinds of thrillers. Quelli della calibro 38 (1976) stars Marcel Bozzuffi who plays adequately the two-fisted, rule-bending Inspector Vanni, while seeks vengeance, chases mobsters and a maniacal, trigger-happy assassin called Black Angel. Bozuffi already played a classic thriller: 'William Friedkin's French Connection', performing a nasty mobster. As iconoclast , tough cop Vanni/Bozuffi) tries to detain the vicious killer and other cronies who are kidnapping, exploding bombs in markets, bus station and other public places, he takes on criminals determined to bring them to justice, even if he has to break some rules. Co-starring as a ruthless villain is Ivan Rassimov. Italian of Croatian origin Ivan had a fruitful career until his early death, although he was often cast as villains, from Nazi soldiers and gunmen to tough guys suspected of murder. Rassimov also occasionally played the good guys and saw it as a novelty in his bad guy roles. From playing a police detective, a cowboy, an archaeologist and even a psychiatrist in Mario Bava's last theatrical film Shock or Beyond the Gate (1977). Ivan starred in Giallos: Perversa Señora Ward, Vicios Forbiddenes and some Spaghetti Westerns like Django If You Want to Live... Shoot, Cowards Don't Pray, Non Spettare Django, Spara and Cjamango. He was most often seen as a male hero of Italian cannibal films acting alongside Me Me Lai in three of them, the most notable being Man from Deep River, Jungle Holocaust and Eaten Alive. Fine main and support cast giving acceptable , tough some exaggerated interpretations . Good secondary cast -usual in B Italian genres- gives cool performance, such as: Carole André (of Kabir Bedi's Sandokan series), Riccardo Salvino, Antonio Marsina , Franco Garofalo and brief apperance from Grace Jones singing a a disco-song.

Quelli della calibro 38 (original title) or Colt 38 Special Squad(English) or Section de choc (France) (1976) is a formula thriller with plenty of action , crisply edition , tension, intrigue , suspenseful and lots of violence in exploitation style. There are images of strong violence, bone-chilling shootouts and impressive car and motorcycle chases, with spectacular races of vehicles bouncing through the air and a 'Sinca' car at full speed going through the fields and along a transport train. Special mention for the stinging , stabbing musical score by Stelvio Cipriani. As well as atmospheric and adequate cinematography by Gábor Pogány , shot completely in Turín, Italy and Monaco . The motion picture was competently written and directed by Massimo Dallamano or ¨Max Dillman¨ in his last one, after a long career both cameraman and director. Compellingly mafde by Massimo Dallamano , he turned to cameraman to director of Spaghetti Westerns and polizieschi , which rejuvenated his confidence and his popularity . He previously photographed ¨Fistful of dollars¨and ¨For a fistful dollars more. Dallamano managed to make a fluid , witty and agreeable Giallo titled La morte non ha sesso (A Black Veil for Lisa) . He also proved his experience in thriller and other Giallo movies , such as : "What Have You Done to Solange?" , "The Cursed Medallion" ,¨Portrait of Dorian Gray ¨ , "Mafia Junction" , "What Have They Done to Your Daughters?" or "The Coed Murders" , among others . "Colt 38 Special Squad" Rating 6/10. Well worth watching . The flick will appeal to Poliziesco enthusiasts.