Almost Human (a.k.a Milano odia: la polizia non puņ sparare)
Umberto Lenzi & Tomas Milian: a match made in heaven (or hell, depending on your tastes), and back in the good ol' 70s, they seemed to be like the Scorsese & De Niro of Italian crime thrillers, notching up a total of 6 films together. Lenzi can shoot quality action scenes with the best of them, and Milian is second to none playing sleazy, demented baddies. He's on even better form here than in The Cynic, The Rat, & The Fist, as a getaway-car driver who almost bungles a heist job due to his jangly nerves, gets kicked around (and out) by the other members of the team, and suddenly transforms into a sly and smooth operator who goads some other low-lifes into joining him for a big time kidnapping caper. One of his team members is Ray Lovelock, playing a character who should probably have chosen some other line of work. The cop on Milian's trail is Henry Silva, he of the gnarly features and gaunt look. A decent chase starts off things nicely, and along the way we're treated to shootings, stabbings, beatings, the afore-mentioned kidnapping, and - the piece de resistance - a sort-of gang-rape scene featuring bondage, torture, and even *gulp!* gay sex! Man, the depravities just zip by in this entertaining thriller (nothing too graphic, though). And then there's that catchy Ennio Morricone tune. Incidentally, the original Italian title either means "Hate in Milano-the police can't shoot" (!) or "Milan hates: the police cannot talk nonsense" (!!!). I sure love both of the translations. :D
rating: 7/10
Great review my friend :)
This is one of my favourite italo action/crime flicks. I first saw it in the Greek VHS wide version taken from a cine-print. Very tough film, in fact it goes beyond the usual action/crime standards and looks in places like "House on the edge of the park" and films like that. Greek VHS cover has the title "He is a bastard" (in English) and Tomas Milian is absolutely marvellous as the "bastard" character. Nothing really too extreme, I agree, but it looks extreme if you're prepared to watch just another action flick !!
Here's the link to the Greek tape in my museum:
http://z9.invisionfree.com/THE_CINEHOUND_F...hp?showtopic=93 Yeah, Milian really nails the bastard role. It's funny, while watching the film, I was thinking he resembled someone else I have seen, but now I've forgotten who it was (probably a 'contemporary' actor, or maybe Indian actor...?). :P
