Diamants de sang

A truly masterful and terrifically riveting 70s actioner from the rightfully lauded high-stylist of Italian genre cinema, Fernando Di Leo. 'Blood & Diamonds' is a definite keeper for both euro-crime junkies and lovers of dynamic, compellingly plot-heavy action thrillers. The brooding, charismatic Claudio Cassinelli delivers yet another immaculate performance, and uber-gorgeous gangster's moll, Barbara Bouchet is sweet enough to engender a diabetic swoon in even the most robust of males (or females, natch!). All of the gloriously unfiltered honour or death, macho slam-bang-gangster man, revenge-fuelled dynamism is excitingly punctuated by yet another blazing jazz-funk score from the supremely talented Luis Bacalov. A taut, melancholic, expertly crafted, diamond hard 70s poliziotteschi that is most certainly ripe for re-discovery.

Just released ex- convict Guido watches his girlfriend get killed on the way home from prison. He thinks the killing is connected with the events that led to him going to jail five years back. Guido starts to investigate...

In many ways a typical late DiLeo- crime film: unimaginative lightning, boring sets, unimpressive action sequences. Yet I think just because of the grittiness of the script, this one easily rises above the other DiLeo- turkeys I've seen.

Decent acting in the form of especially Barbara Bouchet and Guido's main adversary Martin Balsam, who stand out positively. Most importantly, the plot really thickens towards the end climaxing in a truly memorable final scene between Guido and Martin Balsam's Rizzo.

Released on video in Finland in the eighties.

No pun intended - does it matter if it is forever? Or if the movie is just something you can watch and have some fun with? It actually reminds me and maybe you, of movies of that era. The way it is shot, the acting, the story and so forth. I never had heard of this - and I really would not call this a classic. But it has the grim attitude of movies of the 70s. It starts off with our main character in quite the ... trouble.

And it does not get much better after that ... especially considering how he views things ... and how things turn out he touches ... or rather people he is involved with. Also does it matter, if he is right with what he thinks goes on? You'll understand once you watch it ... sometimes things happen, without any reason though ... and that is how the movie feels too ... whatever the case, if you like grim, action packed (don't expect superb choreographed scenes though) thrillers ... with a touch of nostalgia ... well you could do worse.

A bottle of J&B Whiskey on the table in the first shot already? Yup, you're watching a Fernando Di Leo movie! This man remains forever on my hero list for making several of the most genius Poliziotesschi thrillers ever made. Nobody - not even other genre deities like Umberto Lenzi or Stelvio Massi - made Italian cop/crime thrillers as relentlessly brutal and as uncompromisingly violent as Di Leo. His triple feature "Milano Caliber .9", "The Italian Connection", and "The Boss" are the best of the best, and several other titles (like "Kidnap Syndicate" and "Shoot First, Die Later") are perplexing films.

"Blood and Diamonds" is also really, really good. Unfortunately, I can't reward it with a rating 9 or 10, because it didn't provide me with the same adrenalin rush or sentiments of excitement as any of the titles mentioned in the previous paragraph, but it's a fantastic thriller from start to finish.

Claudio Cassinelli is sublime as the out-for-vengeance thief who walks through the entire film with a face as angry as a thundercloud! Of course, Guido doesn't have much to smile about. He just spent five long years in prison because he got snitched to the police during his last heist, and he's barely released, or two hired punks rob the bus he's on and mercilessly kill his beloved wife. Guido is convinced that big-shot mafia boss Rizzo is behind all of it and swears to kill him. Meanwhile, Guido's stepson and his feisty girlfriend are planning a diamond heist at the airport, and Guido inevitably gets sucked in.

Di Leo's screenplay is once again very tense, convincing, absorbing, and holding a surprise or two in store. The action is harsh and gritty, with stone cold executions and heists ending in bloodbaths, the direction is tight & surefooted, the soundtrack (by master-composer Luis Bacalov) is exquisite, and the décors and filming locations bring the awesome 70s back to life. But the most impressive quality of "Blood and Diamonds", though, is the great casting choices and ditto performances.

Cassinelli outshines his Poliziotesschi competitors (notably Maurizio Merli and Luc Merenda) on every level with his depiction of embittered, soulless, and infuriated ex-con/thief. Cassinelli starred in too many Italian cult movies to list, but never received the recognition and praise he deserved. He also died too young, in a helicopter crash whilst filming "Atomic Cyborg" in 1986. Martin Balsam portrays godfather Rizzo, and he's great as always, but there are two other performances I'd like to put in the spotlights. First, the ravishing Barbara Bouchet to prove that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Barbara lies, manipulates, strip-dances, and gets slapped in the pretty face. That woman seriously took a lot of beatings in her career. Last, certainly not least, I just must mention Pier Paolo Capponi as Rizzo's psychotic henchman Tony. Usually Capponi plays police inspectors, but he obviously had a blast of a time here as the lunatic.

After serving a jail term, a man goes out for revenge on the gang members he considers were to blame for his arrest.

Blood and Diamonds (Diamanti sporchi di sangue) is wonderfully directed by Fernando di Leo, the locations give credence to his crime thriller story and screenplay. Amedeo Giomini's editing is tip-top especially in the action scenes littered throughout.

Steely Claudio Cassinelli is perfectly cast as understated restrained Guido Mauri. Cassinelli (taken before his time in a helicopter accident while filming in 1985) offers a great performance, impressively helping to ground the film even when gun toting or going mano a mano. It's a crying shame, but pivotal to the plot that striking Olga Karlatos' (Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)) Maria has such little screen time. Karlatos is memorable in the films first act and best setup where a bus is attacked. Stunning Barbara Bouchet is at the top of her game, but is given little to do as club go-go-dancer Lisa. The crime boss Rizzo is played by American acting veteran Martin Balsam (12 Angry Men (1957), Psycho (1960), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) to name a few) who is on his usual fine form. Pier Paul Capponi is notable as Rizzo's annoying henchman, who confronts Guido at every opportunity.

It was originally conceived as a name cash-in connection to 'Rome caliber 9' to Di Leo's similar film Caliber 9 (1972). Luis Enriquez Bacalov music is perfect, the action cues notable and reused in Virus (aka Zombie Creeping Flesh and 'Hell of the Living Dead') (1980). As the police harass Guido and the local mafia boss try to get rid of him there's betrayal, shootouts and toplessness. There's a memorable violent garage scene that sets up the third act. Surprisingly it doesn't sell itself out and builds to a poignant low-key ending which works in its favour.

Overall, don't expect an all out Italian action film, it shares more with Get Carter (1971) its slow burning pace may not be for everyone, but this perfectly encapsulates the time and offers a mighty fine brooding turn from Cassinelli.