(1978/ITALY)
REVIEW BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-STELVIO MASSI CAST-MAURIZIO MERLI, OLGA KARLATOS, MASSIMO SERATO, NELLO PAZZAFINI, MARIO FELICIANI, MIMMO PALMARA and MARCO GELARDINI. SOURCE-NO SHAME FILMS DVD (NTSC REGION 1 / 101 MINUTES / 2006)
Full tilt action, a cop with hard edge and a situation the needs to be cleaned up fast. Of course there is two names that can pull this off with one sweep, director Stevlio Massi and actor Maurizio Merli. When the combination of these two is put into action there is simply no denying true greatness. Massi’s incredible eye for complete and utter perfection and Merli’s hard boiled approach has brought a few good results including No Shame’s up coming DVD addition of CONVOY BUSTERS. With a couple of other classic outings such as FEARLESS and HIGHWAY RACER, CONVOY BUSTERS is the cherry on the cake. Action driven to the limit, a story that is right ion your face, something that resembles Merli’s character of Olmi. A hard nosed cop trying to do his job, but running into fences do so. A cop bend to right the wrong even if it means doing it his way. Shortly after being relocated to a smaller town and unit after busting a lowlife criminal with connections in high places, Olmi slowly discovers a smuggling ring involving a local fishing fleet and trucks. The objects at hand are guns. After pulling the pieces together he sights his eyes on the ports to find out how the operation is run.
CONVOY BUSTERS is an excellent example of both the direction of Stelvio Massi and the complete intensity of Maurizio Merli as an actor. Both take their respected rolls very seriously and it shows. Of course there are many other examples in which one could argue are Merli’s pinnacle as an actor, but from a personal stand point, I believe this is certainly a hard one to top. With Massi’s guidance, Merli’s character of Olmi displays several unique aspects. Not only does it display Merli’s hard boiled tactics, that and the written part of the Olmi character, but his as an actor as well. Also, a rare softer side of Merli is explored as well. A love interest with Greek actress, Olga Karlatos brings us a new dimension as well. The wonderful thing about the two is that there is no conflict of interest either as the two sides mix quite nicely.
In fact strengthens the storyline and plot as well., as one would a test to given the situation at hand as the climax ending of the story closes in. A man with convictions and strict morals is put to the test several times throughout this film. A symbol of this is Olmi’s gun, who after shooting and killing an innocent personal decides to retire his gun and vow never to use it again. Of course this is Merli here were talking about as that retirement is short lived as his love interest is caught in the middle of the deadly gun smuggling ring. Still though, after things are resolved he not only puts his gun back down, but walks away from that love. An interest but yet bold way to end a film of this nature. This is the Massi way though, to invoke strong feelings and put them to the test even though they might be in the strangest of ways, or at least rare situations at best.
Set the feelings aside and let the action do all the talking. Ballistic gun play, cutting edge car chases and stunts that are of a trademark only found in the best of the best Italian polizia films. Many directors such as Enzo Castellari, Umberti Lenzi and Stelvio Massi have come to perfect such an in your face extravaganza. Like a big top circus pulling into your town, your heart begins to race, this is the tension that is displayed while watching a film of this nature. CONVOY BUSTERS is apart of that big top show, a showcase of non-stop action and at times grueling specials. All of this is encased in a very unusual but highly effective Cipriani scores. It’s certainly very different from his usual, it’s more moody reflecting the aspects of Merli’s character.
This my friends is the beginning of the end, Merli’s time to finally shine on DVD. Look out as this will not be the last you’ll witness of his greatness on the shinny format. What better place to put on such a grand display then No Shame. Once again we are treated to an all out assault of DVD greatness. Starting with a main feature of high proportions for the small screen. Presented in a beautiful anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1/16x9) accompanied with a crystal clear audio choices of either Italian 2.0 Dolby stereo with English subtitles or an English 2.0 Dolby stereo track. Once you have enjoyed this explosive Massi feature, you are then treated to a long list of great extras to choose from. First you will notice that there is a rather thick booklet in place of where the usual chapter card is located. This time that booklet is a comic book entitled MILANO CRIMALE, this graphic novel with English here in North America for the first time.
After watching the feature and reading the graphic novel or the other way around. Either or you make your way into the meat of the extras. The most interesting of them all in my opinion is the interview with Merli’s son Maurizio Matteo Merli who discusses many fond memories of his father. Both personal and film related. It would indeed by pretty darn cool to see his son follow in his footsteps. Then onto another of many interview offered up here. The next being with journalist, Eolo Capacci entitled "A Star is Born". Next, an interview with actor Enio Girolami, who many would remember from such films as TENEBRE, BRONX WARRIORS and DAY OF THE COBRA let along the many Spaghetti Westerns he started in. The onto interviews with directors Enzo G.Castellari and Ruggero Deodato.
I must correct myself when saying it would be nice to see Merli’s son follow in his footsteps, well he is with an upcoming polizotteschi film called A COP ON FIRE and the trailer is also available to watch with the extras on this DVD. The rest of the extras consists of the original Italian trailer for CONVOY BUSTERS as well as a poster and still gallery. This is what many have waited for, those many classic Merli films to be unleashed on to the shinny realm. I like to say one thing, VIOLENT NAPLES!
STREET DATE: JUNE 27th
STORY/FILM- 4/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE- 4/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO- 3.5/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-4.5/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD- 4/5 BITCH SLAPS purchase this Soon from X-Ploited Cinema
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