La salamandre

When the Chief of the Italian Defence Staff is found dead, it is put down to an heart attack and the nation mourns. Colonel "Dante Mattuci" (Franco Nero) is drafted in to handle what ought to have been a peremptory investigation, but it is soon clear to him that there is much more going on here than meets the eye. Pretty quickly, he is enveloped in a conspiracy to take over the state - but who might be behind it? His boss "Prince Baldasar" (Christoher Lee); the General who succeeded him "Leporello" (Eli Wallach) or perhaps the wealthy kingmaker "Manzini" (Anthony Quinn). The production is a bit all over the place, here, but the cast work well on this quite well paced story of internecine politics. Nero is efficient, as are Wallach and Quinn, and the story moves along quickly amongst some beautiful surroundings. The ending lets it down a bit - it is just too implausible given what has gone on before, but though flawed it is still a decent thriller that pulls together some good supporting stars - Claudia Cardinale and Anita Strindberg provide the glamour, if not a great deal else - and is still worth watching on the telly on a wet Tuesday afternoon.

How did it go so wrong? How can a film with such an impressive cast (Franco Nero, Christopher Lee, Eli Wallach, Sybil Danning, Claudia Cardinale, Martin Balsam, Paul Smith - the torturer in "Midnight Express" - as, you guessed it, a torturer, etc.) and such colorful location filming around Italy (Rome, Milan, Venice, etc.) be such a bore? Probably because the story is slow-moving and unengaging, and has no real climax. Another obstacle for the viewer is the difficulty to buy people like Lee and Balsam as Italians. Nero is always likable, and Danning is stunning (even if she's in completely "unrevealing" mode here), but these two are barely enough to keep you focused on what was excellently described by another reviewer as "a political thriller without thrills". (*1/2)

This film felt more like a made for t.v movie. It does pace slow for about the first 30 min or so. You see the funeral of a general, intro to all the big players. Nero goes around interviewing them, some of it is too talky and drags out, a couple more deaths occur and he goes into hiding with the help of Anthony Quinn to continue his investigation, it leads up to a really good climax. One of the best bits of dialogue comes from Martin Balsam talking to Nero about a story of wanting cigars and what happened when he went home. Quinn character is great too as your never really sure who's side he's on. Great performances by Martin Balsam, Anthony Quinn, Eli Wallach, Christopher Lee,Franco Nero, Claudine Cardinale, and the sadistic "sergeon". John Steiner performance is not as top notch, and Sybil Danning I felt kinda phoned it in. Over all decent watch.

A Police Inspector : Franco Nero tries to find the assassination of antifascist leaders and follows clues that lead back to WWII , a partisan organization called The Salamander .You Are Cordially Invited to Rome, Milan and Venice...To Join in the Successful Investigation of a Most Bizarre Murder. With Every Clue the Conspiracy Deepens...The Danger Grows...The Suspense Mounts...

Thrilling and twisted movie about a detective attempts to uncover a strange underground movement linked to a plot to seize control of the Italian government . A disappointing and overwrought adapation based on Morris West novel depicting a neo-fascist conspiracy to carry out a coup de'etat in Italy and lead the country on the right track . So the main issue is the investigation of surprising killings , being carried out by a police colonel , as at each murder scene is left behind a drawing of a salamander and throughout the tumultuous procedure he is involved in conspiracy , persecution and also in a love story between Franco Nero and Sybil Danning . The intrigue is devilishly labyrinthine, and there are times when you no longer know who is who , or what new event to happen . It is a complex and twisted movie that complicates more and more until the surprising final outcome . Of course, we travel a lot and we wander through some gorgeous cities : Rome , Milan , Venice ...between murder and murder , while the great composer American Jerry Goldsmith struggles to put out a beautiful score that deserved a better picture. The cast is frankly impressive , starring Franco Nero giving an acceptable acting in his usual style as an Italian policeman investigates a series of murders involving people in prominent positions, Martin Balsam , Eli Wallach , extremely wasted Claudia Cardinale , Sybil Danning , Cleavon Little , Christopher Lee as an Italian Prince and Paul Smith repeating a similar role to Midnight Express . Along with brief interpretations from B-European actors ordinary in co-productions, such as : John Steiner , Renzo Palmer , Anita Strindberg , Nello Pazzafini , Attilio Dottesio , Tom Felleghy, Marino Masé , Fortunato Arena , Jacques Herlin.

The motion picture was middlingly directed by Peter Zinner in his only one , failing at the international boxoffice . He was an important editor who frequently edited Richard Brooks, Frank Pierson and Francis Ford Coppola movies. He contributed with the editing of three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather : Part II (1974) and The Deer Hunter (1978). All three are winners in the category. Other notorious movies he edited were the following ones : An Officer and a Gentleman , Gladiator , Saving Grace , Omega Code, The Red Tent , a Star is Born and Darling Lili.

A political thriller involving secret plans to re-create a fascist government in Italy. This film is chocked full of stars like Christopher Lee, Anthony Quinn, Eli Wallach and the whole parade is led by Franco Nero who does a top notch job as high ranking officer investigating the murders involved in trying to obtain these documents.

They had some cash to spend on this film as you can see how elaborately furnished the interior shots are and most everything else.

The film mostly has Nero obtaining facts from interview to interview and there is a few chase scenes but its not a tense thriller just really interesting. The actors were amazing. If you get a chance give it a watch.