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Gang War in Milan aka Milano rovente [Blu-ray]
(Umberto Lenzi, 1973)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Telemondial Video: Raro USA
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:40:16.468 Disc Size: 24,164,886,312 bytes Feature Size: 22,470,727,680 bytes Video Bitrate: 25.00 Mbps Chapters: 12 Case: Standard Blu-ray case inside cardboard slipcase Release date: May 20th, 2014
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: VC-1Video
Audio: LPCM Audio Italian 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit DUB: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Subtitles: English (SDH), none
Extras: • Video introduction by Mike Malloy (5:51)• Credits • 12-page liner notes booklet with essay by Mike Malloy
Bitrate:
Description: Salvator Cangemi is a produce purveyor in Milan, Italy whom moonlights as a pimp and runs a profitable twin businesses. But the appearance of a ruthless and greedy French gangster called Le Capitaine threatens Toto s livelihood when Le Capitaine wants to unite the organized crime in Milian for him getting a large share of the profits. But Toto wants no part of Le Capitaine s organization and wants to continue running his own ring in a low-key quiet way. But no one says no to Le Capitaine and he threatens an all-out war to keep his organized crime ring, and reputation, intact.
The Film: A violent crime thriller from cult filmmaker Umberto Lenzi, Milano Rovente deals with the rivalry between a pair of kingpins in the Milanese prostitution racket. Sadistic gang warfare ensues as nude hookers are beaten with belts and have their faces slashed with stilettos while men are garotted electrocuted and gunned down with their families. Eventually, a truce is called, until one of the gangsters (Antonio Sabato) has his mistress (Marisa Mell) leave him for the other gangster and is betrayed by his own men. Franco Fantasia co-stars in this well-paced melodrama featuring a mournful jazz soundtrack by Carlo Rustichelli. Excerpt from MRQE located HERE
Italian and French organized crime have it out in Umberto Lenzi’s Milano
Rovente, one of a string of violent crime thrillers Antonio Sabato Sr.
did that put his name on the map. He plays a wholesaler in the produce
yards of Milan, but is up to more than just making sure the citizens eat
their vegetables. He is the head of a Sicilian clan about to have their
power challenged by French gangsters anxious to push them out of town.
But Italy is their home turf and they will fight to the end in this
still effectively graphic Gangster genre import.
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Gang War in Milan is typically supportive of the style on Blu-ray from Raro Films. It's advertised as fully restored from the 35mm print. Colors look very rich and the overall feel is heavy. the transfer is a shade picture-boxed with a thin black border on the right and left edges. It's not much. The image quality shows some a shade of glossy waxiness but the others from this genre do as well and I doubt there was overused digitization. Any softness seems likely inherent in the print. This is only single-layered but has a supportive bitrate utilizing the, less-used, VC-1 encode. Close-ups are tight and detail impressive with a few examples of depth. Skin tones seem true. It is in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Overall, the Blu-ray provides a predictably pleasing presentation strongly reflecting the original appearance.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Audio is in a linear PCM 2.0 channel in both original Italian, and a typically awkward English DUB option both at 1536 kbps. It sounds reasonable, if not exceptional but gunplay and gal-slaps pack a wallop (almost reminding me of kung fu films). The lively score is by Carlo Rustichelli's (The Whip and the Body, Seduced and Abandoned, Divorce - Italian Style, 1974's Ten Little Indians) and reflects the film's early 70's production but seems overused at times. It sounds heavy with infusions of dark jazzy Saxophone. There are optional English subtitles and m y Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE.
Extras : Supplements include an honest 5-minute introduction by Mike Malloy (Producer of Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s) while holding a Walther PPK, and the package contains an illustrated booklet by with essay by Malloy.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze May 7th, 2014
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
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