La poursuite implacable

¨Revolver¨ is an entertaining and thrilling Poliziotteschi , it was retitled "Blood in the Streets" for its American theatrical release . It is an interesting drama/thriller plenty of thrills , taut , intrigue and twists . The picture deals with a prison warden (Oliver Reed who regularly turned-up to the set inebriated) and a small-time crook (Fabio Testi) who is a prisoner at a state penitentiary . As the Italian warden's wife (Agostina Belli) is abducted , and the kidnappers demand that an inmate be released in order for the man to get his wife back . He gets the convict released but then abducts him himself , in order to ensure that the man's compatriots don't murder his spouse . Then , the band sets out to free their colleague and kill the official who took him . At the end it takes place the last battle between crime and the law in the major city in the world : Paris .

This is an exciting but complex thriller plenty of emotion , noisy action , car crashes , pursuits , twists and turns . Some actors claim they made his own stunts , as Fabio Testi told that he did nearly all the stunts in the movie himself, including a difficult roof jumping stunt in Milan that the stuntman was unable to do . Very good acting by Oliver Reed as an enraged warden ; however , there had problems because of his alcoholism , as he become difficult to work with . In fact , co-star Fabio Testi also expressed that it was both exciting and difficult to work with Reed due to his alcoholism, and he would become violent on the set on many occasions . Support cast is frankly good , full of European familiar faces such as Frédéric de Pasquale , Marc Mazza , Reinhard Kolldehoff , Bernard Giraudeau , Peter Berling and Salvatore Borghese . Furthermore , two gorgeous Eurotrash actresses : Agostina Belli and Paola Pitagora . Colorful cinematography by Aldo Scavarda , though a perfect remastering being necessary . Special mention for the sensitive and enjoyable musical score composed and arranged by maestro Ennio Morricone ; including a marvelous song : Un Ami Written by Ennio Morricone and Performed by Daniel Beretta .

The motion picture was compellingly directed by recently deceased Sergio Sollima , he even choreographed the fight scenes himself because he wanted each character to have a fighting style tailored to their personality . Sergio Sollima's direction is well crafted, here he's less cynical and more inclined toward violence and too much action . Sergio wrote and directed all kinds of genres such as Pirate films as ¨ Sandokan ¨ and the ¨ Black Corsario ¨ ; Peplum : ¨Rocha¨ , "Spartacus and the Ten Gladiators" , "Triumph of the Ten Gladiators" , ¨Ursus¨ "Goliath Against the Giants" ; Euro-spy : "Requiem for a Secret Agent" , "Agent 3S3: Hunter from the Unknown" , ¨Tanger 67¨ ; being especially known for his ¨Cuchillo trilogy¨ : ¨Run Cuchillo run¨, ¨Face to Face¨ , ¨The big Gundown¨. And this ¨Revolver¨ is essential and indispensable watching for Oliver Reed fans . This is a satisfyingly violent and thrilling flick that avid fans of the genre will love .

Were it not for the truly shocking dubbing on the version I saw, this could have been much more enjoyable to watch. One you get used to that, though - it isn't half bad. Oliver Reed is "Cipriani" a cop turned prisoner governor whose wife is kidnapped. In order to secure her return, he must arrange for one of his prisoners "Milo" (Fabio Testi) to be delivered to a gang on the outside. This he duly arranges, but of course that's only the start of the shenanigans for both of them as they try to get to the bottom of who wants what from whom..and why? It has plenty of action, but it's also a little more sophisticated that you might expect. There is genuine intrigue to the story, and Reed comes across well as the man of some integrity, torn between many years of loyalty to his country and saving his wife from the hoodlums who appear to reach high into the upper echelons of Italian - and French - government. It is quite derivative - you could see a Clint Eastwood or Gene Hackman in the Reed role quite easily, but I think that says much for the usually underrated Reed's performance which is strong. I was a bit disappointed by the rather weak denouement, but all told I did quite enjoy watching the film. Just needs someone to re-synch the audio.

Another great and unconventional crime drama from those beloved Italians, this one made by master of class Sergio Sollima (SANDOKAN) and containing a greater depth of plot and character than one might expect from other pulp adventures from the time. This tough flick is great and interesting thanks to the unconventional plot and the raw, almost documentary-style camera work which follows the characters around a variety of European settings. The plot is complex and gets murkier as the film progresses, with multiple characters lurking around the edges who have no clear motives. At times the film ventures into the area of the psychological thriller as it puts the characters through tense situations, at all times leading to a climax that you just know won't be a happy one.

Chief enjoyment comes from unlikely star Oliver Reed, playing a typically gruff character who is forced to confront his morals as the film progresses. Reed is great in the role, especially as he is forced to become more and more emotive as the film goes on, and he really fits into the role of the character nicely so that you forget that he's acting; personally I think this is one of the best performances I've seen from the underrated star. Fabio Testi is the criminal, Milo Ruiz, and puts in a genuinely good performance along with Reed, shining in a part that allows him to play a character rather than a wooden figure for once. The supporting cast is fine, especially Agostina Belli's frightened captive.

BLOOD IN THE STREETS is more plot-centric than most and thus contains a lesser degree of action than you might expect, although Sollima does throw in one outstanding shoot-out in a street for action fans. Nonetheless the sheer level of twists and turns in the plot and the performances make it hugely engrossing. One last thing to mention: there's a fantastic and stylish score by the acclaimed Ennio Morricone which enhances the action no end. This combination of winning elements makes it one to watch.

A promising, clever premise of a prison warden, played by genuine bad-ass Oliver Reed, who surreptitiously allows a prisoner to escape before abducting him in exchange for his (own) kidnapped wife... occurring between steely, intentionally claustrophobic scenes in dingy offices harboring dingier jail sells... almost succeeds...

The best moments of this action/thriller hybrid involves polar opposites Reed ("a stray dog without a home") and prisoner Fabio Testi on the run... in the latter's rogue territory...

Petty thief Testi teaching strict/timid lawman Reed to steal a car is a standout, and there needed more of this kind of Film Noir-inspired ambiguity combined with the European tough guy team-up (although their roles should be reversed) instead of a subpar subplot involving a pretty boy musician connected to a powerful politician...

Leading to an 11th hour escape by use of hiking across a mountain border and yet, despite the flaws, Italian ingenue Paola Pitagora brightens up the joint while Reed, using the same American Classic Gangster accent he had in an episode of THE SAINT (and that he often does as a satirical impression), doesn't need to overact to show the audience his love for this woman...

Any sane man would because, in REVOLVER, Paola's both a knockout and standout.

If you are a fan of Sergio Sollima then I don't have to tell you that you will enjoy this film. I am so glad that I have discovered Italian action films from the 1960s and 1970s. I only wish that I could see some of these films on the big screen. There is something special about these films.

Revolver takes the viewer on a sort of chase. There is elements of mystery and action, but during the course of the film the relationship between the two

characters, played by Oliver Reed and Fabio Testi, evolves in a way that brings in drama into the story. Like Sollima's other films, there is fast paced action, violence, and a little bit of sex.

There is a gray area between who is good and bad, and that is something

Sollima has stated in interviews. In fact he has said that he has always been a fan of bad guys because sometimes the good guys mess things up more in the

end then the bad guys. He shows that in Revolver.