Diamanti sporchi di sangue

Fernando Di Leo gets a lot of harsh criticism, but in my opinion; he's been behind some of the very burst Polizi flicks to come out of Italy, in particular The Italian Connection and Milano Calibre 9. On the strength of this film, however, you would be forgiven for thinking he's more than just a little bit sub-par as despite some truly excellent action scenes; Blood and Diamonds is not a completely successful film, and a lot of that is down to the fact that the plot doesn't flow too well and the film constantly fluctuates between exciting and boring. The plot focuses on a man named Guido who goes down for robbery. He is released several years later and gets picked up by his girlfriend. They decide to take the bus, and it turns out to be a bad decision as the bus comes under attack by a gang of thugs and despite the heroic ex-convict jumping the rescue of his fellow passengers; it doesn't stop the thugs from murdering his girlfriend. Guido begins to suspect that the murder may have some connection from his time inside and resolves to get to the bottom of it.

The opening is actually pretty good and makes you think you might be in for another excellent thrill ride, but unfortunately the bus sequence is never matched until the very end and by then it's too little too late. Prolific Italian actor Claudio Cassinelli takes the lead role and does a fairly good job with it, although he's not charismatic enough to lead the film on his own. His two main co-stars stand out more than he does, and the beautiful Barbara Bouchet as well as American actor Martin Balsam deliver great supporting performances. There's not a great deal of thrills during the middle of the film, which is a shame as this type of film is famed for shootouts and car chases; only an indoor fist fight is really memorable. Thankfully the plot does start to thicken as the film moves into the final third, although we are never really given a good reason to care for the lead character and so his plight is not all that interesting - that being said, the ending itself is better than the vast majority of what came before it. Overall, Blood and Diamonds is not a must see Polizi flick and I would only recommend it to hardened fans of the genre.

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.

Laudio Cassanelli is a safe breaker out for one last job when some fink snitches on him. His partner Marco manages to get away, but Claudio himself is banged up for five years. Not only that, when gets out two masked gunman attack the bus he's on and his girlfriend Olga Karlatos is shot in the back. Claudio kills the two bad guys so he's still winning by this point if you're keeping score.

In a permanent bad mood for the entire film, Claudio blames everything on local gangster Rizzo (played immaculately by Martin Balsam as usual). The cops tend to agree with Claudio, but when a crooked cop passes this information on to Rizzo, he sends his right hand man Pier Paolo Capponi to put the squeeze on him.

Further compounding Claudio's low mood and lack of sleep is Olga's son Enzo, who hates him because he got his mother killed. I might have missed it but I think Claudio used to go out with Enzo's girl Barbara Bouchet, who seems to be trying to force Enzo's hand in arranging a big score for a huge amount of diamonds.

That's a lot of plot but it all serves to make Claudio madder and madder until he's striking back at Rizzo, folks are getting plugged left right and centre, and a few twists throw everything up in the air for a remarkable ending.

I'm a big fan of Claudio Cassanelli - he's does moody very well (to be honest I've not seen him do comedy...maybe he was just like that). Martin Balsam, once again, just knocks it out of the park as Rizzo. He constantly shows Claudio respect even though all Claudio does is threaten to kill him and shames him in front of his men. This gives the ending even more clout as Rizzo and Claudio seem to share a father/son bond that Claudio can't find with Enzo. It's unusual to say the least.

Best bit was when Claudio and Pier Paolo Capponi have a violent fight to the death in Barbara Bouchet's house, using all that kitsch seventies decor to try and kill each other. Also of note was the soundtrack, which you'll know as 'that tune Bruno Mattei nicked for Zombie Creeping Flesh'.

Judging the film by its attributes on forehand, you'd think this movie is a diamond heist action movie with a lighter tone. The movie does include diamonds, but this is actually a very serious mafia thriller, much like Manhunt and Milano Calibre 9. It contains several of Di Leo's classic ingredients; good acting, good soundtrack, very complex fight scenes, some effective twists, and not least human relations that are believable. Nothing is entire black or white. It was good to see this on a nice looking high definition transfer today, as I've had the film on DVD for 15 years or so, but never took the time to see it (maybe because it's lower rated than Di Leo's classic crime films). If you like Manhunt, then you will probably appreciate this one as well as they share that mix of action and melancholy.

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.