Severin's Blu-ray package of Violent Streets: The Umberto Lenzi / Tomas Milian Collection is compared to this Blu-ray HERE

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Fractured Visions (UK) Blu-ray (November 2021): Fractured Visions have transferred Umberto Lenzi's Poliziotteschi-cum-comedy Free Hand for a Tough Cop to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative". It has the same waxy look that many of this genre, from this era, have. But overall it looks quite good in-motion. There may be a slight teal-leaning but colors are mostly rich and deep. Contrast is pleasing with rich black levels and occasional depth in the 1080P visuals.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Fractured Visions use DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in the Italian language, or the option for an English DUB. Free Hand for a Tough Cop has many aggressive sequences with gunfire, that have reasonably impactful depth with strength in the lower end. There is a score by Bruno Canfora, sounding mostly unremarkable but subtly supporting the film's moods. Fractured Visions offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

Fractured Visions stack their Blu-ray starting with two audio commentaries. The first is by Euro Crime producer Mike Martinez. He gives a good overview of the production - infusing interesting details with discussion about this genre of cinema, Tomas Milian's initial reluctance (how it ended up shifting his career) and many others involved in Free Hand for a Tough Cop. The second commentary is by Troy Howarth, who will be releasing a book about Umberto Lenzi, and he is joined by the always knowledgeable Nathaniel Thompson of Mondo Digital. They cover Poliziotteschi comparables, a lot on Milian, Claudio Cassinneli as Police inspector Sarti, the brief-ness of Henry Silva as Brescianelli, plenty on Lenzi and a good analysis of the story and film production. They, amusingly, identify actors in the film shown in the beginning scene in jail, and that they are also in Free Hand for a Tough Cop. They are always a pleasure to listen to. There are almost 1.5 hours worth of interviews by Eugenio Ercolani, in Italian with English subtitles. The first is with cinematographer Sebastiano Celeste ('Nino') and recollections of the film and working with Lenzi. Another interview is with actor Corrado Solari, who played the 'Thug with Brick' and was also in Lenzi's The Tough Ones and Leone's 'Duck, You Sucker!'. 'Producing Mayhem' spends 11-minutes with Ugo Tucci one of the producers of Free Hand for a Tough Cop. Portrait of a Daughter is an interview with Alessandra Lenzi, the daughter of director Umberto Lenzi and who worked with the production company Filmirage. I enjoyed 'Eurocrime: The Lenzi Wars' with Barry Forshaw (author of Euro Noir: The Pocket Essential Guide to European Crime Fiction, Film and TV) for over 1.4 hour. There are also included an Italian trailer and English VHS trailer and the credit sequence. The package has a collector's edition slipcase, six Art Cards with a booklet with new writing by Austin Fisher, Francesco Massaccesi and text interview with Umberto Lenzi by Eugenio Ercolani.

Umberto Lenzi's Free Hand for a Tough Cop is quite a ride. Tomas Milian is always fun and the serious side of the film is also well realized with great interplay between the cop and criminal. It's a nice genre mix. Fractured Visions have filled their Blu-ray with a solid HD presentation, they include the English DUB as well as original Italian, two revealing commentaries, booklet, and a plethora of interviews etc. Fans of Milian, and the genre, should definitely indulge. Great package - plenty of value here.

Gary Tooze