Tony Arzenta (Big Guns)

Poliziottesco in a class of its own with Alain Delon and Richard Conte

A few years after "Gli bastardi" with Giuliano Gemma and Klaus Kinski and a year before "Uomo senza memoria" with Senta Berger and Luc Merenda, Duccio Tessari directed this mercilessly straightforward crime film that cools down the Italian mafia landscape with a few ice cubes of French existentialism . Excellently produced by Luciano Martino, the film grossed ITL 1.945 billion at the Italian box office.

Tony Arzenta (Alain Delon) lives as a contract killer in Milan and wants to retire to have more time for his wife (Nicoletta Macchiavelli) and child. The bosses aren't having it and are trying to snuff out Tony's life. This is going wrong! Instead, his wife and son die cruelly. Now Tony goes into hiding and takes cruel revenge on all bosses and accomplices. Really beautiful in the Ice Cold Angel style! This also goes to Germany and Denmark. At some point, Tony, who is supported by his friend Domenico Maggio (Marc Porel), gets fed up with murder. He wants to find peace in his home in Sicily. Then final boss Nick Gusto (Richard Conte) makes him a tempting offer...

This film features an array of stars from Italian genre cinema: Carla Gravina, Roger Hanin, Anton Diffring, Umberto Orsini, Silvano Tranquilli, Corrado Gaipa, Erika Blanc, Rosalba Neri, Ettore Manni and Loredana Nusciak are part of the cast. In addition to the Italian ambience, a touch of French touch is undeniable, but that also makes this film something special. Things are a little quieter, with long looks rather than fast car chases.

And then Golden Globe candidate (nominated in 1964 for "Il gattopardo") Alain Delon is simply in a class of his own. Seeing him in a Poliziottesco is simply worth a sighting.

.. 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 ...

Hit man revenge film.

A hit man wants out of the mob. The mob double crosses him. He gets some revenge by killing most of those involved.

This film has some strong action scenes. Some good chases. Lots of shooting. It's all done rather well. The acting better than average across the board here.

However, I was not a fan of the ending. I won't spoil it here. You'll either love it or hate it or ...not care either way. I didn't like it. A better ending, and this one could have been something special.

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.

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.