Franco Nero does the "Death Wish" routine in "Street Law"
We may be bemoaning their 60% price increase but at least Netflix is steadily adding genre films to their streaming catalog, including some “Poliziotteschi” movies. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Italian directors popularized Italian crime and police films which were later nicknamed Poliziotteschi movies. What these flicks lacked in finesse they made up for with “mucho gusto”: they were all about tough-talking cop or vigilante protagonists, dangerous stunt work, tense shoot-outs, and memorable music.
Many of these films have recently been made available on Netflix Instant. Here’s a look at some select titles:
Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (1976) – directed by Ruggero Deodato of “Cannibal Holocaust” infamy. Ray Lovelock and Marc Porel play two womanizing cops who shoot first, ask questions later
Street Law (1974) – directed by Enzo G. Castellari, who made the original “Inglorious Bastards.” Franco Nero of “Django” fame becomes a vigilante after he is the victim of a violent crime. Released the same year as Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish,” also starring former Bond girl Barbara Bach (“The Spy Who Loved Me”)
The Big Racket (1976) – directed by Enzo G. Castellari. Leading man Fabio Testi of “What Have You Done to Solange?” fame takes on a protection racket in a small Italian village
Beast With a Gun AKA Mad Dog Killer (1977) – directed by Sergio Grieco
The Italian Connection (1972) – directed by Fernando Di Leo
The Boss (1973) – directed by Fernando Di Leo, starring Henry Silva
Rulers of the City (1976) – directed by Fernando Di Leo, starring Jack Palance
Calibur 9 (1972) – directed by Fernando Di Leo
Still in the mood for some Italian thrills? You might want to watch these Italian horror/giallo films that were also recently added to Netflix Instant.
The Cat ‘o Nine Tails (1971) – one of Argento’s early giallo is a vintage Italian murder mystery, with a score by Ennio Morricone. Streaming in HD
Deep Red (1975) – Dario Argento’s seminal giallo that garnered attention worldwide. Soundtrack by Goblin. Streaming in HD
Inferno (1980) – a film in Dario Argento’s “Three Mothers” trilogy. Streaming in HD
Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972) – directed by giallo master Lucio Fulci (“Zombie,” “The Beyond”)
The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974) – an acclaimed but rare giallo directed by Francisco Barilli
Who Saw Her Die? (1972) – directed by Aldo Lado, starring former 007 George Lazenby. With a score by Ennio Morricone
The Black Belly of the Tarantula (1972) – directed by Paolo Cavara, starring not one but three Bond girls: Barbara Bouchet (“Casino Royale” ’67), Claudine Auger (“Thunderball”), and Barbara Bach (“The Spy Who Loved Me”). With a score by Ennio Morricone
The Fifth Cord (1971) – directed by Luigi Bazzoni, starring Franco Nero of “Django” fame. With a score by Ennio Morricone
Cold Eyes of Fear (1971) – an obscure early giallo from director Enzo G. Castellari, who was more well known for his action films
The Pyjama Girl Case (1977) – directed by Flavio Mogherini
Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion (1970) – directed by Luciano Ercoli
Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971) – directed by Aldo Lado
The Bloodstained Shadow (1978) – directed by Antonio Bido
