Cranstonman Reviews

Gioco al massacro (1989)

Solid work from Damiani

[7/10 · 5 August 2012]

Damiano Damiani remains one of the most difficult Italian directors to categorise. He is comfortable at the helm of commercial exploitation such as Amityville 2, but would be better remembered as the key political movie-maker of his generation, with a string of socially aware dramas that puts the better known cinema of Rosi and Gavras to shame.

Massacre Play (The Killing Game) is a rather unknown entry in the Damiani canon, but is well worth the investment of a couple of hours purely for the amazing performances of the two leads. Milian is quite magnificent and Elliott Gould shows just how good an actor he is:they play two friends, both film directors who have taken very different paths. Wordy, intelligent but never boring and with a few little surprises along the way.

If there is a complaint it is only a minor one, and that is the small insignificant part played by John Steiner. Steiner had previously delivered two key performances for Damiani, first in The Case is Closed - Forget it and then in Goodbye and Amen. Here he simply wanders through the proceedings, but as said it is only a minor quibble.

Not in Damianis's top league but all in all, very worthwhile.

Von Buttiglione Sturmtruppenführer (1977)

Steiner steals the show.

[10/10 · 17 March 2010]

The last film in the Von Buttiglione cycle remains the best known of the series due to the considerable presence of John Steiner as the evil Colonel Schwein.

Its a mixed bag of bad taste jokes and the usual buffoonery, that does not always hit the target, but when it succeeds it is very funny and the film retains a quaint 70's charm.

Dufilho is as usual his most irritating self, so its left to Steiner to completely steal the show as the mad Nazi colonel. From his enigmatic entrance to eating a young chick straight out of the egg, to hobbling about on crutches after accidentally severing his own leg, its a barnstorming piece of camp that the great man is obviously wallowing in.

We won't see cinema like this again, so its worth appreciating no matter where a print comes from.

L'asino d'oro: processo per fatti strani contro Lucius Apuleius cittadino romano (1970)

A Joy from start to finish

[10/10 · 4 June 2008]

In the wake of Fellini's way over the top ancient Rome epic Satyricon, it was always obvious that there would be the inevitable deluge of imitators. Well, strange as it may seem there was not a great tidal wave of like pieces, there were a few and this is by far the best of them all. It is therefore a great pity that now it is so difficult to track down.

The Golden Ass is quite simply a joy from start to finish. Samy Pavel and John Steiner make a great comic double act in the first third of the film. Steiner especially is quite magnificent, with witty asides to the camera and perfect comic expressions. Bouchet in the female lead is as lovely as you would expect.

Not at all easy to find, but well worth taking some time over.

Big Man: Boomerang (1988) Season 1, Episode 4

Worth a look.

[7/10 · 3 June 2008]

This is the only episode of Big Man that i have seen, and the main reason i tracked it down was due to the presence of John Steiner playing the villain. Don't get me wrong though, i am also a big fan of Spencer, and this is all in all pretty enjoyable stuff.

Although possibly a little overlong, Boomerang is entertaining if somewhat predictable. Bud plays very much to type, and the plot is at best clichéd, but in the end who cares. You don't watch stuff like this for great social commentary.

Steiner as the chief bad lad is as good as you would expect, giving a neat, professional performance.

Hard to locate, but worth the effort.

Dagger Eyes (1983)

A great showcase for Bouquet

[9/10 · 27 March 2006]

A delightfully playful giallo starring the beautiful Carole Bouquet as Mystere,a high class call girl who becomes the target for a couple of assassins.

On its initial release Mystere seemed rather twee,especially when compared to Argento's Tenebrae, but the years have been very kind to this excellent little film, and although it is now a little difficult to track down, it is well worth the effort John Steiner as the ruthless hit man,Ivanov,gives one of his best performances of the eighties. Looking slick and menacing as the leather suited killer,Steiner glides through his scenes with ease and flair. Peter Berling turns up as a sleazy old man, and Janet Agren is nice as Mystere's friend. The only drawback is the tiresome Phillip Coccioletti as a mouthy policeman.

A great showcase for Bouquets undeniable beauty, director Vanzina captures the actress at her most alluring. Splendid stuff.

Una chica para dos (1966)

For Klimovsky fans.

[16 October 2005]

Imagine a cross between a Cliff Richard movie and one of the numerous AIP beach party movies and you just about get an idea of what this is like.

Stars Ramon Arcusa and Manuel De La Calva are best known as the Duo Dinamico, and it is under that twin heading that they appear. The film is at best slight and inoffensive, obviously made for the home audience, but of interest to Euro fans due to the direction of Jack of all Trades, Leon Klimovsky.

Klimovsky had previously directed the pair in 1964's similar Enscala En Tenerife, and although it is his horrors and westerns that are of most interest to fans, these movies show that the man could turn his hand to anything with favourable results.

Arcusa and De La Calva still play to this day and recently appeared on Spanish TV discussing the film and their careers after a rare screening.

News Report on a Journey to a Bright Future (1986 TV Movie)

An acceptable diversion.

[6/10 · 28 May 2005]

Filmed on location in Normandy, Marseille, New York, Singapore and Australia, The Nuclear Conspiracy is a thriller that is worth a peek, and is enjoyable enough if expectations are not too high.

At home in her London apartment, Susan Galloway (Doll) receives a panicky phone call from her journalist fiancé. Fearing that he has been injured or worse, she and her daughter take off to retrace his footsteps. Aided and abetted by a reprobate of a photo journalist, and monitored all the time by mainly unseen pursuers, they eventually uncover a high level conspiracy and a secret nuke dump in the Australian desert.

The film is somewhat marred by languid pacing and a bad English post dub but is engaging nevertheless.

An attempt on the heroine's life in an underground car park is particularly well handled, as is the frequent sinister appearances of a character called Aunt Ruth.

Fear Runs Deep (1976)

The Dog is the star.

[7/10 · 18 January 2005]

One time energetic action man Frederick Stafford takes it easy here, even though his son has been kidnapped as part of an industrial blackmail plot, Stafford just can't seem to get out of first gear. It is left to the boys super intelligent German shepherd to do all the running around and heroics. Being fair though, this is an entertaining enough little diversion, good twists, lively fights and chases and some neat underwater scenes, such a pity that it is now more or less forgotten. Stafford comes good as the film wears on, he was never really the same after appearing in Topaz, and one often wonders what routes his career would have taken had he lived. Harmless fun.

The Wild Team (1985)

VIVA LENZI

[4 June 2004]

This film is often disregarded, but for undemanding fans of Italo exploiters this is a very pleasant diversion for ninety odd minutes.

Set in an imaginary South American republic, Thunder Squad churns out all the old clichés of the action genre, but the project is handled with style and verve that many a young wannabe could learn quite a bit from. If there is a complaint, it is in the lead casting of Antonio Sabato. One can only surmise how different it would have been with say David Warbeck or Fabio Testi.

So, for a wicked little romp taking in Kidnapping, jungle fighting, double cross, and shady Government dealings check this one out.

Viva Lenzi

Beyond the Door (1982)

A near miss.

[9 March 2004]

Marcello Mastroianni has a rather cushy life to himself in a Morrocan jail. Working in the library,popping in and out as the fancy takes him, and enjoying conjugal visits from his daughter,(yes, its Cavani territory alright) Life becomes complicated when Tom Berenger falls in lust with the girl, much to the distaste of her father.

The brothel scene, early on in the movie probably remains the main talking point, but it is worth sticking with.The film is seedy and sleazy but strangely compulsive.

Cavani nearly pulls it off, but not quite.

Qualcuno pagherà (1988)

For Gemma and Martino completists only.

[7 June 2003]

A uncharacteristic moment of dullness from the usually reliable, and at times inspired Sergio Martino. The real sad thing about this film is its total lack of identity, rather than looking and feeling like a commercial Italian production it resembles more the work of the "made for television crowd". Some mildly interesting casting in the shape of Mary Stavin and Daniel Greene, but really only worth the time of day for diehard Martino fans and Giuliano Gemma completists.

A Girl Called Jules (1970)

Valerii in sombre mood.

[10/10 · 1 May 2003]

After his Western triumphs, Valerii stepped out of the shadow of Sergio Leone with this distinctly Bergmanesque sexual melodrama.Dionisio is perfect in the title role and this remains her best film, Valerii turns up along the way too. Just when the film hits a period of auto pilot John Steiner turns up in the final reel for a climax that is quite unforgettable. A bit difficult to trace but well worth the effort.

The Beast (1974)

Great little film.

[6 October 2002]

A cracking little road movie from the great,grand Sergio Corbucci. It runs like a neo realistic Peter Fonda cult classic. Last seen in the Uk in the dark distant 1980s, late night on the then minority Channel 4, this film is long overdue a revival. Giannini is brilliant in the main role, there is a devil may care attitude to life that runs through this film from the first frame to the last line which is a total killer.

Last of the Badmen (1967)

Whos afraid of big,bad Wolff.

[6 October 2002]

A right little stormer of a western, marked out by a good showing from George Hilton in the title role and a show stealing performance from the wonderful Frank Wolff as the villain "Black Tracy". Hilton plays Kitosch, who his mocked and abused by his ranch hand workmates, but its not long before he turns the tables and runs riot with the demented Wolff. Along the way there is revenge, robbery, betrayal and just about everything a good western should have. At the end of the day its Wolffs show, and what a show he gives.

I guappi (1974)

It wants to be a hollywood epic.

[6/10 · 2 October 2002]

This is a good film, good solid performances and a compulsive if somewhat cliched storyline. The main problem is that it seems at times that it would like to be on a par with hollywood big budget productions, and it really is much too home grown Italian for that. Nevertheless, on its own merits this is well worth a visit, Nero is as good as always and Fabio Testi is magical, it is a mystery why he did not become one of the giant names of international cimema. If you cannot see it any other way the old British video release is a horrid pan & scan, sometimes "needs must".

Manaos (1979)

Rip Roaring jungle adventure.

[9/10 · 1 October 2002]

Sheer brutality and humiliation is the daily lot of the slaves on the rubber plantations in S America at the turn of the 20th century. This is a little cracker of a film, quite notorious, but it really is more to do with what you think you may have seen. Jorge Riveros character is just a little too flawed to be the hero, so its left to fabulous Fabio Testi to be the main man to cheer on. Florinda Bolken pops up as an evil rubber traders wife. Unearth and adore.

Only Love Defies (1973)

Dodgy deals and sexy stares.

[9 June 2002]

Crooked business deals and meaningful glances aplenty in this Italian production that was filmed to great effect in Ghana. This really is a jewel of a film that is crying out to be discovered, it is at first a very odd and sexy melodrama that plays at times like a soft giallo, a warped love story, and in one totally irrelevant sequence it resembles a strange mondo movie. Calvin Lockhart plays it much the same as he did in The Beast Must Die, George Hilton is excellent as is Enrico Maria Salerno. The women are great, Anita Strindberg is total ice cold beauty, whilst Yanti Somer never looked better. This is a film to hunt down and enjoy. Fantastic.

La battaglia del deserto (1969)

Fine Italian war film.

[8/10 · 9 June 2002]

Every genre that the Italians turned their multi talented hands to, be they peplums, giallos,westerns, crime movies or horrors, you will find that the great and the good outweigh the bad. Sadly, the Italian war film cycle produced very few films that are of any great worth, there are exceptions to the rule however, the classic Orsini movie CORBARI springs to mind right away, one of the finest films i have ever seen, and this enthralling movie which after a shaky start soon becomes a quite compulsive piece of work. Hilton always gives good value for money, and Robert Hossein is wonderfully unlikeable, but it is the great Frank Wolff that steals the show, surely one of the best actors of his generation. Mino Loy keeps a tight rein on the direction, and the film plays almost like a parable on greed, jealousy and pride, the war simply being a background to a superb play on the human condition.A film to be treasured, you actually feel thirsty and dirty along with the flawed characters. A great viewing experience.

The Looters (1967)

A lovely reminder of the sixties.

[9 June 2002]

A fun filled caper movie where the bad guys are the good guys. Its pure sixties hokum, and it is truly fine. Frederick Stafford with his classic James Bond type good looks is the main man, assisted by Jean Seberg and a quite bemused Serge Gainsbourg. This is a film that is a total joy from start to finish, and afterwards you will be baying for more of the same. I love it, take me back to the sixties now.

L'amante dell'Orsa Maggiore (1971)

A great film trying to get out

[8 June 2002]

Orsini and Gemmas collaboration on CORBARI gave us one of the greatest films ever, this is nowhere near, but is boldly epic in its vision,and deep down it seems that a great film is trying to break out. Gemma is as good as ever and Senta Berger is surprisingly good, but it is Nicoletta Machiavelli who steals the acting honours in a movie that could have been so much more.

The Nightmare Years (1989– )

Required viewing for all.

[3 June 2002]

Sam Waterston gives one of his greatest performances as William Shirer in this magnificent mini series. The rise of the third reich is seen through the eyes of foreign journos based in pre war Germany, the pressures that they work under and the threats they face if they fail to toe the line form the basis for a work that is essential viewing for everyone. Waterston is brilliant and is ably assisted by Marthe Keller, Kurtwood Smith, Ronald Pickup and a host of guest cameos. John Steiner should be singled out for his stunning turn in episode one, as a Lutheran priest hunted by the nazis.

The Ark of the Sun God (1984)

The boys are back

[9/10 · 6 May 2002]

The dream team of Antonio Margheriti, David Warbeck and John Steiner reunite for a thematic sequel to Hunters Of The Golden Cobra, and its a beauty, as good if not better than the earlier film. Warbeck is on top form and John Steiner is as magical as ever in a rip roaring adventure that will keep you hooked until the credits fade. Good guys, bad guys, fisticuffs, car chases and a lovely in joke about Roger Moore. This is a wonderful film.

Dracula in the Provinces (1975)

A hidden gem from the great Fulci.

[7/10 · 26 April 2002]

Hard to see, and oft disregarded film from horror master Lucio Fulci. This is a comedy vehicle for Italian funny man Lando Buzzanca, but of most interest for its offbeat humour, and a nice and very substantial cameo from John Steiner as the gay Romanian vampire called Count Dragulescu, it is he who puts the bite on the hapless Buzzanca. Koscina looks good, Brazzi is wasted, but he was never really that good to begin with, for the real specialists, Ciccio Ingassia is involved, and the old master Fulci keeps the whole thing going nicely. The print i saw came from Greece, it really is worth the time and trouble it takes to track down. Very Italian, very, very good.

May Morning (1970)

A truly brilliant piece of work.

[10/10 · 25 April 2002]

An amazing film, not so much forgotten,as never noticed in the first place. It captures the time perfectly, Oxford has never looked as good on film. Orano is very good as the out of place Italian student, Birkin is simply lovely, and John Steiner is magnificent as the smug Roderick, the establishment face of university life. See it now.