I have to say that this violent Italian thriller exceeded my expectations, making up for an overly familiar central situation (the hostage/road movie type) by being pretty smart overall – but it keeps piling on the twists and, consequently, goes on twenty minutes too long!
The film also benefits from being well-cast: Franco Nero as the alcoholic small-time reporter husband, Corinne Clery as his desirable, wealthy yet indignant wife and David Hess in his all-too-typical role of the psychotic criminal (which, in the accompanying interview, cites as being his favorite). Ennio Morricone’s exemplary score effectively complements the generally tense proceedings, while also providing the occasional ironic comment upon them. Notable too is the location work, convincingly duplicating Northern California in the mountain regions of Italy!
The director of this film is best known for broad comedies and romantic dramas; his irregular stint in the exploitation/thriller genre reaps considerable rewards by loading the picture with exciting action and suspense touches (including some fashionable nastiness, and an attack on the protagonists’ car by a truck that’s straight out of Steven Spielberg’s DUEL [1971]!).
The 17-minute featurette finds the three stars offering individual fond (but, occasionally, amusingly contradictory!) recollections of the shoot – while also paying tribute to its late, talented creator.
The film also benefits from being well-cast: Franco Nero as the alcoholic small-time reporter husband, Corinne Clery as his desirable, wealthy yet indignant wife and David Hess in his all-too-typical role of the psychotic criminal (which, in the accompanying interview, cites as being his favorite). Ennio Morricone’s exemplary score effectively complements the generally tense proceedings, while also providing the occasional ironic comment upon them. Notable too is the location work, convincingly duplicating Northern California in the mountain regions of Italy!
The director of this film is best known for broad comedies and romantic dramas; his irregular stint in the exploitation/thriller genre reaps considerable rewards by loading the picture with exciting action and suspense touches (including some fashionable nastiness, and an attack on the protagonists’ car by a truck that’s straight out of Steven Spielberg’s DUEL [1971]!).
The 17-minute featurette finds the three stars offering individual fond (but, occasionally, amusingly contradictory!) recollections of the shoot – while also paying tribute to its late, talented creator.