L'escorte

La Scorta is a wonderful film that I wish were available on DVD. If you get a chance to see it you won't be sorry. That it is not as linear, dynamic and paint by numbers as the usual Hollywood thrillers I guess is frustrating to some people, but to me it powerfully conveys the ambiguity of power and that terror is more frightening when its source is unclear.

La Scorta is a naturalistic study of the problems of terror that Italy faced in the 1970's, and I think it's very well done by Mr. Tognazzi. If you were able to screen it or are just interested in the subject matter you would also probably enjoy two Francesco Rosi (originally an AD to Visconti) films: "Illustrious Corpses" (Lino Ventura) and "Tre Fratelli" (Philip Noiret, Charles Vanel) both of which deal with the complex issues of Italian terrorism. It is very interesting revisiting these films post 9/11, and it has had some effect on the industry, note the recent re-release of "Battle of Algiers" here in LA (Jan 04 - highly recommended).

If you like cop vs. gangster movies, but are tired of the usual stuff, in which it seems the writer or director is trying desperately to both imitate and outdo some of the recent semi-hits, you should see this.

There is violence, suspense, possible betrayal- all the elements that make crime and crime-fighting fascinating, and yet there is never a sense of straining to create excitement. The characters, the events seem totally natural.

The atmosphere of the movie is often intimate, like some of the better war movies-- because the essence of the story is people being together in danger: the Mafia-fighting judge and his escort (bodyguards).

The film has a beginning and end, but its realism helps to naturally imply the past and future of the struggle in Sicily.

La Scorta (aka The Bodyguards, The Escort) can be described as being a bit like my ex-girlfriend; good looking, competent, but a bit dull.

The plot revolves around a prosecutor and a bodyguard's friend that are murdered in what appears to be a mafia killing. The bodyguards try to get to the bottom of it while protecting a judge. It's all a bit messy and surprisingly light on action, thrills and suspense.

There's no doubt that the acting and direction are first rate. It's just a plodding, dialogue heavy film which isn't much fun. The Ennio Morricone score is very good with sharp piano stabs and moody dramatic music that raises production values considerably.

I would say for a great political thriller check out 'The Conformist' and for Italian cop films you are spoilt for choice. This is very good from a technical standpoint, but not essential viewing. I watched the UK VHS tape and it is a shame this is so difficult to see.

'Scorta,La' is a pointless and deceptive political thriller that really lacks force, intensity and good drama situations. A group of bodyguards is commited with the defense of a serious and honest judge that fights against the mob and the organized crime in South Italia. An interesting premise that receive a shallow treatment by Mr. Tognazzi and his screenwriters. The ending is inconclusive and completely not satisfactory. Some good footage on Sicilia. I give this a 5 (five).

"La Scorta" is a film about a group of Italian police officers that has to protect a judge from mafia killers. A very simple story, but effectively made with great young actors who understand to give life to their roles, especially main actor and squad leader Claudio Amendola.

Director Ricky Tognazzi, son of famous Italian actor Ugo Tognazzi, also focuses on the private lives and problems of the squad members as well as on a critical view on the corrupt Italian society controlled by the mafia in many ways. Additionally it's very thrilling and powerful all the time, with a great sound track by legendary Ennio Morricone and with the policemen always high on emotion, just waiting for the next sniper or car bomb just around the corner.

As in many Italian mafia movies, there is no happy end and there are no big main villains to track down, but it's rather a question of escaping from an invisible and almighty power that rules everything. Watch this entertaining and very thrilling cop movie that stands for the powerful new Italian cinema of the nineties!