Murder, Inc., The French Connection, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and The Seven-Ups


Synopses:


Murder, Inc.
Based on the true-life book of lawman Burton Turkus, this movie chronicles the rise and fall of the organized crime syndicate known as Murder, Incorporated. Focusing on powerful boss Lepke and violent hitman Reles.

 

The French Connection
William Friedkin's gritty police drama portrays two tough New York City cops trying to intercept a huge heroin shipment coming from France. An interesting contrast is established between 'Popeye' Doyle, a short-tempered alcoholic bigot who is nevertheless a hard-working and dedicated police officer, and his nemesis Alain Charnier, a suave and urbane gentleman who is nevertheless a criminal and one of the largest drug suppliers of pure heroin to North America. During the surveillance and eventual bust, Friedkin provides one of the most gripping and memorable car chase sequences ever filmed.

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

This film has some uniqueness for instilling such vivid memories, albeit with the use of one powerfully violent scene. Corman's re-creation of the famous Chicago gang massacre of the 20s has a strong cast that seems to go on and on, even in bit parts - Jason Robards, George Segal, Ralph Meeker, Jean Hale, Frank Silvera, Bruce Dern John Agar, Harold Stone, and even Jack Nicholson (better look quick). Judged solely as cinema it is only slightly above average but as a gangster drama it is one of the more eviscerating ever made. Definitely worth seeing.

 

The Seven-Ups
New York City cops wage a war against assorted hoods and criminals after one of their own is brutally killed by a hoodlum. Seven-Ups refers to the minimum jail time each of the crooks will have to spend if they are caught.    

Posters

Theatrical Releases: Various

  DVD Reviews

DVD Review: 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

The Classic Crime Collection - Street Justice DVD set includes Murder Inc., The French Connection, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, The Seven-Ups
Distribution 20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Audio English (original) SEE INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS
Subtitles English, Spanish, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio: All 16X9 widescreen

Edition Details:

• Some trailers, newsreels and static galleries

NOTE: Commentaries on The French Connection

DVD Release Date: May 23rd, 2006

4 Keep Case inside a cardboard box
Chapters: various

 

 

Comments:

Well, the Classic Crime Collection - Street Justice DVD set spans around 13 years with Murders, Inc. from 1960 to The Seven-Ups from 1973. There are some cross-over similarities with some of the storyline's being based on non-fictional accounts (Murders, Inc. and The St. Valentine's Day Massacre) while the other two are hard hitting cop action/dramas (The French Connection and The Seven-Ups which both star Roy Scheider by the way). Only The French Connection has been released previously - the other three are new. I think the selections are pretty good even if the 'Street Justice' moniker is somewhat very liberal and hundreds of titles could have filled that label. The transfers all look very good with Murders, Inc. being only slightly lesser in detail. All have trailers as extras and The French Connection sports the double commentary. All have anamorphic, progressive transfers with optional English or Spanish subtitles. This is a very good deal in my opinion and if you have any interest in this style of 'crime drama' then it becomes a no-brainer purchase.   

Gary W. Tooze

 





DVD Menus


 


Subtitle Sample (from The St. Valentine's Day Massacre)

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

Murder Inc. Directed by Burt Balaban and Stuart Rosenberg USA 1960


Starring Stuart Whitman, May Britt, Henry Morgan and Peter Falk

 

Reviewed in Full HERE

 

 


The French Connection Directed by William Friedkin, USA 1971


Starring Gene Hackman , Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey

 

Reviewed in Full HERE

 

 


The St. Valentine's Day Massacre Directed by Roger Corman - USA 1967


Starring Jason Robards, George Segal and Ralph Meeker 

 

Reviewed in Full HERE

 

 


The Seven-Ups Directed by Philip D'Antoni, USA 1973


Starring Roy Scheider  and Tony Lo Bianco

 

Reviewed in Full HERE

 


 

DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

The Classic Crime Collection - Street Justice DVD set includes Murder Inc., The French Connection, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, The Seven-Ups
Distribution 20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC




 

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Gary Tooze

Mississauga, Ontario,

   CANADA

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