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

ADDITION: Grindhouse Releasing Blu-ray (July 2019): Grindhouse Releasing present Umberto Lenzi's iconic 'Polizieschi' film, "The Tough Ones". This is a 3-disc set (2 Blu-rays and a bonus soundtrack CD) that even includes a pen shaped like a bullet. The film has been mastered in 4K resolution for maximum detail. The feature is located on the first Blu-ray (dual-layered) and the 2.39:1 1080p image looks pretty impeccable, especially in-motion (thanks in part to a high bitrate). The clarity to the image shows quite a bit of definition in the various close-up shots. Certain instances of the color red seem a little pink to my eyes, but this is hardly an issue and could very-well be the original color.

There is the choice of watching the film with the Italian language soundtrack (with optional English subtitles) as well as the English soundtrack. Both of these choices are offered in DTS-HD Master audio, 2.0 in 24-bit. The various street scenes give way to chases and gun fights, all sounding strong on either track. Franco Micalizzi (The Visitor, Brothers Till We Die, and known for some music on Grindhouse releases Planet Terror and Death Proof - as well as Taratino's Django Unchained) does the score. This is a Region Free Blu-ray.

Where to begin with these extras... Grindhouse have absolutely outdone themselves here, packing in hours upon hours of fascinating extras. Even as of the time of this writing, I feel as though I have barely begun to scratch the surface of what is offered here. Disc one features a feature-length audio commentary with Mike Malloy, director of "EUROCRIME!" as well as a feature-length documentary "All Eyes on Lenzi", which runs about 1.5-hours. Also here is "Music for Mayhem", 33-minutes between Umberto Lenzi and Franco Micalizzi, filmed in Rome in 2010. "Citta' Frontale" is a 22-minute tour of Rome locations. Sybil Danning's Action Videos Intro is also here, as are the film's international and home video trailer, as well as a bunch of trailers for other Grindhouse releases. Grindhouse could have called it a day after the truly bonus-packed first Blu-ray disc, but pop in disc 2 (also a Blu-ray) and get ready for hours upon hours more.

Disc two hosts yet another feature-length documentary, "The Rebel Within" a 1.5-hour look at actor Tomas Milian. This is accompanied by a fantastic look at director Umberto Lenzi, in the 55-minute "Umberto". "The Merli Connection" is a 45-minute tribute to actor Maurizio Merli. "Back Story" features more from Milian whereas "Beauty and the Beasts" spends 30-minutes with actor Maria Rosaria Omaggio. "Corrado Armer to the Teeth" is 45-minutes on actor Corrado Solari. "Brutal City" is 14-minutes on actor Maria Rosaria Riuzzi. "The Rebel and the Burgeois" spends 20-minutes with actor and costume designer Sandra Cardini. I would recommend checking out "Vodka, Cigarettes and Burroughs", 39-minutes with screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti. "The Godfather of Rhythm" features 36-minutes on composer Franco Micalizzi. This is all rounded out with a stills gallery, liner notes by Italian crime film expert Roberto Curti, custom 30-calibre metal bullet pen, deluxe embossed slip cover, and a BONUS CD of the original soundtrack album by Franco Micalizzi, newly remastered in stunning 24 bit/192khz sound from the original master tapes.

Grindhouse Releasing continues to be one of my favorite companies, and their Blu-ray release of Lenzi's "The Tough Ones" is continuing proof of their dedication to preserving great grindhouse cinema. The 4K remastering here is impressive. If you have the time, the extras on this Blu-ray package are incredibly deep and numerous and worth a look. One of the best releases in recent memory. 'Polizieschi' genre fans should definitely indulge. 

Colin Zavitz