Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Fans of the Italian poliziotteschi cinematic movement of the 1960s and 1970s should not miss a compelling documentary currently available on Amazon Prime, which chronicles this influential subgenre of Italian cinema that has achieved cult status worldwide.
“Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the ’70s” offers an in-depth look at films that may initially appear to be Italian versions of French noir or American crime classics like “Dirty Harry” and “The Godfather,” but in reality, provide a lens into the social issues that plagued Italy during the decade — such as the rise of the Cosa Nostra and the violent far-left movement known as terrorismo rosso, which sought to establish a communist regime.
During this period, many Italian filmmakers transitioned from the spaghetti western genre, exchanging horses and cowboys for crooked cops and high-speed police chases. Notably, among the poliziotteschi films that gained popularity in the United States were Giuliano Montaldo’s “Grand Slam” (1967), starring Janet Leigh, Robert Hoffmann and Klaus Kinski; and “Machine Gun McCain” (1969), featuring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk.
To stream “Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the ’70s” on Amazon, click here.
