RonAltman Reviews

The Hell Before Death (1968)

Testosterone-filled actioner

[4/10 · 29 August 2020]

Most cult movie fans will want to seek this out as Dario Argento co-wrote the screenplay. However, this potboiler has never received an English-language release. Two video versions are known to exist, a Greek one (in Italian with subs) and a German VHS from the early to mid-80s. Perhaps also a Yugoslav one.

Yesterday I finished a fansubbing project for Cinemageddon, which allows this rarity to be viewed and understood by an international audience.

The film itself is not very notable, if it wasn't for Ennio Morricone's score (average, by his standards) and Argento's involvement. It's not bad either. More than 50 years after its release it looks pretty dated, with men donning leather suits and toting machine guns. There's not a lot of action per se, some chases and some shoot-outs, but this comes dangerously close to being an action drama. 1968 produced some cutting-edge films, this is not one of them, it's rather old-fashioned.

The general topic is 'honor among thieves', the title translates as 'commandments for a gangster'. Top-billed Ljubic is quite charismatic as a former crook, who investigates the death of a married couple, who were obviously involved in the disappareance of some gold that a crime syndicate had transported from London to Canada, where this is set. The setting was chosen, perhaps, for its resemblance to Italy... after all, a movie set in the States requires some on-location shooting (cities, etc.) to be credible.

The characters in this are quite colorful, a crime boss and religious fanatic, who calls himself Saint, an assassin with hair that's dyed blonde. There's a mute gunman and his brother, a guy called Five-Cents (Caltabiano, who also directed) who's clad in leather. There are barely any female contributions, a dancer/singer with a see-through top is the only notable character.

The Morricone score ranges from bizarre to symphonic and is definitely worth listening to. The finale has traces of a western score.

Both Argento and Morricone also worked on C'ERA UNA VOLTA IL WEST that same year. That movie has gone on to become an immortal masterpiece of filmmaking. COMANDAMENTI... has disappeared into oblivion. Maybe my subtitles will change that... a little.

Stille Nacht (1969)

Anything-goes art... you don't have to like it

[10 July 2020]

Six-minute short film from one of the founders of the Vienna Aktionismus art movement. During a Christmas celebration several people perform expressionistic acts (screaming etc.), get naked, slaughter a pig and cover a woman with blood and entrails, all in front of an audience. Extreme form of art is quite disgusting to look at.

Roads to the South (1978)

LIttle-known film from Losey's filmography

[5/10 · 24 April 2020]

Obscure effort by director Losey, made in France, reportedly a very personal, nostalgic story. Former resistance fighter Montand and his wife still support the Franco opposition from their exile in France. His already difficult relationship with his son Malet is put to a test, when his wife dies in an accident. Pensive, often heavy-going, yet still watchable drama benefits from good location work, Montand's charisma and Michel Legrand's jazzy score. Deliberately paced movie requires patience.

Top Crack (1967)

Terry-Thomas is at it again!

[7/10 · 8 April 2020]

From my database of 5,500+ capsule reviews of cult movies Top Crack (1966, ITA) C-91m. *** D: Mario Russo.

Starring Terry-Thomas, Gastone Moschin, Didier Haudepin, Victor Francen, Mirella Maravidi, Oreste Lionello, Christiane Maybach.

Amusing crime comedy about partners Thomas and Moschin, who plan to kidnap the patriarch (Francen) of a rich industrialist family, who specialize in artificial eggs(!). When they realize that the family don't want him back, they need to change their plans. Also featured in the plot is a gang of children led by Top Crack (Haudepin), who has a score to settle with the kidnappers. Not consistently funny, but filled with mad-cap scenes and great performances. Engaging soundtrack by Gianni Marchetti is firmly rooted in the Swinging 60s. Francen's last film, and he almost steals it. The rarest title in cult star Terry-Thomas' filmography. This only saw a video release in Germany in the 1980s.

Flashback (1969)

Beware: Other user reviews and ratings are fake

[4/10 · 10 June 2019]

With a score of 8.6 and being from 1969, I tracked down this movie to see for myself if the hype was justified. The copy I obtained was a fairly damaged print in 4:3 format, quite grainy with washed out colors. It was watermarked 'C.S.C. Roma' in the bottom right corner, suggesting a VHS copy drawn from an archived 35mm (16mm?) print. No commercial releases seem to exist. The sound was in artificial stereo that produced a strange echo. It was effective in the opening war sequence, to be honest. The monologue by the protagonist switched between German (he was a Nazi soldier after all) and Italian for no apparent reason.

The film itself is very slow, pensive, unusual for a war movie of the time, but clearly the director wanted this to be an art film (and it was indeed in competition at the Cannes film festival in 1969). This was Andreassi's only feature film and it shows. He directed several documentary shorts before this and made only one more film (a documentary) 31 years after this. So basically his career was over after FLASHBACK.

Another user here has remarked on the rave reviews this film has received and how they seem to be coming from Scandinavian IMDb users, maybe fans of the Norwegian star of the film, Fred Robsahm, who only made a handful of appearances in B-movies in his career, and whose performance here is rather indifferent. Some of these reviews are so over-the-top, it's clear they are fake.

How this obscure and rare movie has garnered so many user ratings (1,075 at the time of writing) is a mystery in itself. Usually movies this difficult to find have only a few dozens of votes. I conclude that somebody managed to hack the IMDb in this respect (puts SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION in another light, doesn't it?).

Bruno Nicolai is falsely credited as the film's composer, he is not listed in the credits. In fact, there is no score whatsoever in this film! I wrote to the IMDb staff so that this misinformation gets corrected.

If you must see FLASHBACK, do so, but you will find it slow and repetitive. The acting is below average. It's not worthless, but no classic, definitely not.

How to Kill 400 Duponts (1967)

Marvellous 60s comedy - just as good as the Clouseau and Fantomas movies!

[7/10 · 9 January 2019]

Wow, a real find! Less than 100 user ratings? Unbelievable! The other reviewers say it is a spoof of Mario Bava's DANGER: DIABOLIK (1968), but it was released months BEFORE that movie... it rather spoofs the comic-book character Diabolik (existing since 1962).

"Delightful, virtually unknown comedy about a bumbling Scotland Yard inspector (Terry-Thomas), who comes to Southern France to catch costumed super-criminal Dorellik (Dorelli). The charismatic anti-hero accepts the assignment to kill all the Duponts of the world for an inheritance, all the while bemoaning the fact that his sidekick/lover Lee has fallen out of love with him. Slapstick ensues. Crime comedy is a perfect showcase for Italian singer Dorelli and the always wonderful Terry-Thomas. A spoof of the comic book character Diabolik, not the Mario Bava movie of the same name, which was released several months after this. At times reminiscent of the Clouseau or Fantomas movies of the time.

Seventh Code (2013)

odd drama in interesting setting **½

[5/10 · 14 July 2015]

Odd drama set (and filmed) entirely in Vladivostok, Russia, where a Japanese woman has tracked down a businessman she met in Tokyo. She seems obsessed with meeting the man again, although he couldn't care less. It turns out he has ties with the mafia or some other criminal organization. Meanwhile, the woman finds temporary refuge in a Chinese restaurant. Watchable, but any deeper meaning is elusive. English title: SEVENTH CODE.

from the director of the excellent KYUA/CURE (1997) provides interesting views of contemporary Vladivostok

Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir (2011)

Interesting documentary, a personal dialogue with a master filmmaker

[7/10 · 18 November 2013]

Interesting documentary about master filmmaker Polanski, who is visited by his friend and business partner of nearly 50 years, Andrew Braunsberg, in his Swiss chalet in Gstaad, while under house arrest for the rape charges dating back to 1977. Polanski gives a very personal insight in his early life, from childhood during World War Two, to his early acting career and later personal tragedy with Sharon Tate. Highly interesting, even touching, this is recommended to any film fan. Some of his films are neglected, some not even mentioned, but what you get to hear is fascinating. Polanski sometimes has to fight back tears. Good piano score by Alexandre Desplat.

Up to His Ears (1965)

a must-see for its pace and sheer madness

[9/10 · 10 March 2013]

Turbulent, fast-paced comedy adventure (one of the best of its time) about unhappy billionaire Belmondo, whose suicide attempts keep failing. When he hires some killers to do him in, he falls in love with beautiful Andress and wants to reverse the deal. Belmondo is ideally suited to this role, exotic locations and lots of stunts make this a joy to watch. A worthy companion piece to the Bond movies of that time. Based on a Jules Verne novel. Score by Georges Delerue. English title: UP TO HIS EARS.

...if you haven't seen it, seek it out... an absolute must! Text-book example of a fast pace... still unequalled in its mad-cap sequences

Dead Silence (2007)

scary as hell!

[8/10 · 23 June 2007]

Director Wan's follow-up to his smash-hit SAW (2004) is a crackerjack horror film about a ventriloquist's dummy, which seems to bring death to those around it. Kwanten, whose wife died mysteriously, returns to his hometown to investigate mysterious ventriloquist, who may be behind it all. Beware the Stare! Not entirely logical but atmospheric, stylish, well-directed and scary as hell! So suspenseful it creates a heightened sense of awareness in you. Superb subliminal score is reminiscent of SUSPIRIA (1977), and film's finale is a nod to INFERNO (1980). A treat for horror fans. Like SAW (2004), this was written by James Whannell, from a story by himself and director Wan. (from www.cultmovies.info)

Die Delegation (1970 TV Movie)

Thought-provoking, fascinating - a must-see!

[9/10 · 23 March 2005]

Astounding film about reporter Kohut, who does some research for a German TV station about a U.F.O. sighting in Canada and, thinking he is really on to something, jeopardizes his career by continuing the investigation obsessively. Interviewing witnesses and experts, Kohut comes closer and closer to revealing the truth. Most intriguingly, his story is revealed post-mortem by showing the reels of film discovered in his wrecked car. Remarkable science-fiction mockumentary caused some viewers to panic when originally broadcast. Fascinating, thought-provoking, a must-see, much too little-known. From conspiracy specialist Erler (FLEISCH, PROFESSOR COLUMBUS).

Love and a .45 (1994)

why was this film forgotten?

[17 December 2003]

Yes, we should thank the movie God for PULP FICTION, but it shouldn't have made people forget about this little cult item here. It premiered at the same time as PULP FICTION. Which other reason exists for the few votes here?

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Razor-sharp homage or plotless indulgence?

[5/10 · 16 November 2003]

Typically eccentric Tarantino movie (his fourth), about amazon-like blonde Thurman, who was shot in the head and left for dead by her lover Bill (Carradine) – all this on their wedding day! After lying in a coma for four years, Thurman returns to exact revenge on those that were involved. The revenge trip takes her to Okinawa and Tokyo, Japan. At its best, this mind-blowing extravaganza is a razor-sharp homage to Japanese and Chinese action cinema (parts were filmed in the Shaw Brothers studios); at it worst, it's a drawn-out, nearly plotless indulgence. Also, too many questions are left unanswered. Film comes to (bloody) life in final action set-piece in the `House of Blue Leaves'. The interesting Tarantino structure is there, but his style is strangely absent… not counting a wildly animated sequence, manga-style. Read more cult movie reviews at www.cultmovies.info

Super Dragon (1972)

ultra-smooth Wang Yu

[7/10 · 26 March 2002]

A largely unknown eastern. Wang Yu plays a super-cool hero, who singlehandedly embarrasses a crime syndicate. Direction, art direction, score (bizarre 70s!) all fine, plot is a slight yawn though. Still, good kung fu pic.

Body of My Enemy (1976)

Any serious movie-goer should see this one

[9/10 · 13 January 2002]

I'm not talking about the kind of people who watch films like URBAN LEGEND or get their kicks out of seeing fast-paced Hollywood blockbusters. Whatever. This example of high-brow filmmaking should be on the viewing list of any film lecturer or theorist. Did you like PULP FICTION? Well, forget it. After seeing this film you will be inclined to call Tarantino's "masterpiece" a playful variation of what you CAN do on film.

Using the powerful technique of a frame narrative, director Verneuil goes on to tell the story of an ex-convict (Belmondo), who returns to his scene of "crime". He returns to the people he was involved with and ponders about the good and bad times he had. What really happened all these years ago? What is he going to do? Actually, the past is not catching up with him, he is catching up with the past.

A serious, intelligent (even intellectual) film, subtle to the nth degree, a must-see. And yet nobody (or hardly anybody) knows of its existence. Discover this masterpiece. It's worth it. No one (repeat: NO ONE) has linked the past and present better than Henri Verneuil. If you want to know what filmmaking can be about (and mostly isn't), check this out.

If you make it through this film and still think that it's about football, Hollywood has changed your perception for the worse. Tune your brain in to Henri Verneuil and this film and you will SEE.

Watch Le Corps de Mon Ennemi. Watch I... Comme Icare (Verneuil's follow-up) and you'll KNOW what you have missed all these years.

Jo (1971)

one of Louis de Funès' best comedies...

[9/10 · 23 September 2001]

It's as simple as that. This may be Louis de Funès' best comedy. Absolutely hilarious. We ended up quoting the dialogues and acting out the most memorable scenes. A must! I hope I'll catch it someday in a stage version.

Knives of the Avenger (1966)

Lesser Bava movie - for die-hard fans

[3/10 · 20 August 2001]

Rating: ** (max. ****)

Poorly paced Viking epic about Mitchell, who comes to protect the wife of a dead king from an usurper, unaware that she has reason to exact vengeance on him. Storyline is unusually complex but going-ons seem stretched out unnecessarily. Some consider this a western - well, if it wasn't for that setting they may be right. Score, photography, acting is quite nice, but, to reiterate, sluggish story-telling diminishes the effect. For Bava completists. Stick with OPERAZIONE PAURA, LISA E IL DIAVOLO, CANI ARRABBIATI or CINQUE BAMBOLE...

Afterword:

In the liner notes, Bava historian Tim Lucas considers this film "the genre's last hurrah" and sees it as a "distinct forerunner of the sword and sorcery genre". A "hurrah" it ain't, and Schwarzenegger's CONAN was inspired by HERCULES (Bava was involved!). For more Bava reviews, please visit my homepage.

The Wonders of Aladdin (1961)

interesting for the involvement of Bava

[6/10 · 8 June 2001]

Agreeable, colorful fantasy adventure about Aladdin (O'Connor), a boy from Bagdad, who discovers a genie inside his oil lamp and travels to a wedding, which an evil schemer (Tozzi) intends to foil. Interesting for the involvement of Mario Bava, who gave the film a nice look. O'Connor is quite funny but one wishes this was a little more serious and less whimsical. Still, quite violent for a kiddie film. All in all, **1/2 stars (of four).

Savage Gringo (1966)

this was directed by Mario Bava!

[4/10 · 4 June 2001]

Stranger Clark helps a rancher and his beautiful wife (Bastien) against a ruthless bunch of cowboys. Cardboard western with little action and suspense and a leisurely paced plot. Still not that bad. Legendary Mario Bava's direction is utterly conventional (he replaced film's original director Antonio Román), he obviously made this without much ambition. Score by Nino Oliviero dominates this tame spaghetti western. Román was credited with the direction for more than twenty years until Bava's involvement was made known. Still, some believe this to be Bava's best western (his ROY COLT wasn't much better anyway).

Brivido giallo: Per sempre (1988) Season 1, Episode 2

probably Lamberto Bava's best film

[7/10 · 2 March 2001]

Interesting variation of THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE about Brandon (AQUARIUS) and Scola, who murdered Scola's husband six years ago and must now contend with her son's nightmares and the arrival of a stranger (Barberini, OPERA) who might know something about the case. Bava expectedly adds horror elements, although this is one of his more subtle works – and one of his best. Slightly overlong, not consistently good, but a must for fans of obscure movies.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

The BEST James Bond movie...

[9/10 · 18 September 2000]

Stylish, sophisticated James Bond film with Lazenby replacing Sean Connery as secret agent 007, who picks up the trace of arch-enemy Blofeld (Savalas) by promising to marry Spanish comtessa Rigg. The villain intends to sterilize the world if his demands are not met. Lazenby, in his only appearance as the super spy, is acceptable, but film itself is superbly paced, yet not fast-paced. At times it even achieves a kind of poetic, melancholy quality, which is unique for a Bond movie. Superb, colorful sets by Peter Lamont; it's too bad only one film of this series was made in the late 1960s. Fine score by John Barry, Louis Armstrong's 'We Have All the Time in the World' is especially lovely. While all action scenes are good, the final sequence is particularly stunning. Film is remarkably well edited by John Glen, who directed five Bond films himself in the 1980s. Director Hunt edited all five previous Bond movies, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, his first film as a director, is very probably the best of the whole series. That ending will chill you to the bone. Beware of shorter (European) prints.

Roy Colt & Winchester Jack (1970)

for Bava completists...

[22 June 2000]

Typical Italian western, made at the time when producers wanted to cash in on the success of Sergio Leone's IL BUONO, IL BRUTTO, IL CATTIVO. Plot about three gunslingers (Halsey, Southwood and Corrà) is clearly a rip-off and nowhere as funny or clever as the Eastwood western; too often it resorts to low-brow comedy. Some typical directorial touches, nice photo-graphy (by Antonio Rinaldi) makes film worth watching for Bava completists. Nice score by Piero Umiliani.

Strangeland (1998)

Quite okay

[20 June 2000]

Grisly modern horror thriller starring performance artist Snider as an excessively tattooed and pierced serial killer who abducts, abuses teen girls and stitches their mouths shut. Detective Gage is the one who must track him down. Not bad in terms of direction, even the plot tries to be unpredictable, but film itself is hardly exceptional. Englund and Pena have cameos at best. Also known as DEE SNIDER'S STRANGELAND. (Ask for the URL of my homepage for more snappy cult movie reviews)

Violette (1978)

not among Chabrol's stronger works, but worthwhile

[20 June 2000]

Paris in the early 1930s: Fourteen-year-old girl Violette has relationships with various men and is disenchanted with her parents, who show no compassion for the girl's problems. How can they be solved? Not one of director Chabrol strongest works, film is buoyed by exceptional camerawork (Jean Rabier) and an appropriately melancholy performance by Huppert as the young girl. Interesting mainly for Chabrol enthusiasts, others beware of the complicated narrative structure. Most reviews reveal too much of the plot! From a novel by Jean-Marie Fitère, which is based on a true case.

Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970)

Corny, stylish slasher movie with unique 70s atmosphere

[9/10 · 28 May 1999]

One of maestro Bava's least known films may actually be his best: A scientist invites several of his friends and business associates to his villa somewhere on a remote island. Once there they try to buy an important formula from him; when they are killed off one by one, everyone suspects everyone else of being the killer. Superbly stylish sets, photography and direction in Bava's quint-essential interpretation of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians; he turns it into a corny slasher movie. Bava also edited the picture. Wonderful 70s soundtrack by Piero Umiliani. Cinematography by Antonio Rinaldi, who did more films with Bava. English title: FIVE DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON. Bava followed this with the more violent, similarly plotted ANTEFATTO.