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

ADDITION: Kino International / Raro Blu-ray (September 2025): Kino International / Raro have transferred Stelvio Massi's The .44 Specialist to Blu-ray. The 1080P transfer is sourced from a 2K scan of the original camera negative, delivering a pleasingly detailed image that preserves the film's gritty 1970s aesthetic with natural colors and solid black levels, though minor chemical damage from the source material occasionally affects saturation in select scenes. This HD presentation marks a significant upgrade over previous bootlegs and DVD editions, maintaining film grain and texture, resulting in an authentic viewing experience that highlights Mario Vulpiani's (Castle Freak, The Bloodstained Shadow, Watch Me When I Kill, How to Kill a Judge, The Grand Duel, Dillinger Is Dead,) dynamic cinematography and urban locations in Rome and beyond. Overall, the video quality is very strong for a cult poliziottesco title.

NOTE: I noticed a strange anomaly at around 21 minutes for about 2 minutes. A faint horizontal line slowly passes through the entire frame slightly altering the color/contrast. I suspect few will notice it but HERE is an example.

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

On their , Kino International / Raro Blu-ray disc offers both the original Italian audio track and an alternate English DUB in DTS-HD Master dual-mono, with the Italian version providing the most balanced and effective sound mix, featuring clear dialogue, nuanced ambient effects, and Stelvio Cipriani's (What Have They Done to Your Daughters?, The Laughing Woman, Colt 38 Special Squad, The Night Child, Nightmare City, The Blood Stained Shadow, Killer Cop, Rabid Dogs, Baron Blood, A Bay of Blood,) funky score coming through with punchy rhythms and tension-building orchestration. The overall audio fidelity captures the film's explosive gunfights and chase sequences without distortion, aligning well with the genre's emphasis on visceral sound design. Kino International / Raro offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The extras on this Kino International / Raro Blu-ray are modest but valuable, headlined by a new audio commentary from film historian Rachael Nisbet (Fragments of Fear - A Giallo Podcast,) an expert in Italian genre cinema who provides insightful analysis on the poliziottesco context, Stelvio Massi's directorial style, and the film's thematic ties to 1970s political turmoil, drawing from her extensive work on physical media releases; Castle of Blood, What Have They Done to Your Daughters?, Deep Red, The Designated Victim, The Crimes of the Black Cat, and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer, which captures the high-octane action and intrigue, alongside a bonus trailer for "Body Puzzle", offering a cross-promotional glimpse at another Italian thriller.

Stelvio Massi's The .44 Specialist is the third and final entry in his loosely connected "Mark" trilogy - a sequel to "Mark il poliziotto" (1975) and "Mark il poliziotto spara per primo" (1975). This action-crime thriller exemplifies the poliziottesco genre, which flourished in 1970s Italy amid social unrest, political terrorism, and urban decay, drawing inspiration from American cop films like "Dirty Harry" while reflecting Italy's "Years of Lead" era of violence and institutional distrust. Unlike typical entries focused on street-level vigilantism, this film shifts toward international intrigue and terrorism, blending high-stakes undercover operations with brutal action sequences. It is exceptional for its production values, international cast, and deviation from formulaic narratives. While adhering to genre conventions (car chases, gunfights), it deviates by incorporating espionage elements, creating a cat-and-mouse narrative that feels more sophisticated than peers. Drawing cues from Sydney Pollack's "Three Days of the Condor" (1975), the plot culminates in near-assassinations and revelations of shadowy government-terrorist ties, with Mark narrowly surviving through "pure chance" in a Vienna ambush. At its core, "The .44 Specialist" explores themes of distrust, institutional corruption, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality in a politically volatile 1970s Europe. The film is a compelling capstone to Massi's "Mark" trilogy, blending poliziottesco staples with espionage intrigue to critique 1970s societal paranoia. Its brutal action, thematic depth on trust and terrorism, and strong performances make it a worthwhile, if underappreciated, entry in Italian genre cinema, rewarding fans with a mix of visceral thrills and subtle commentary. Kino's Blu-ray of "The .44 Specialist" is a solid presentation of this underrated poliziottesco gem, with strong video and audio quality that respects the source material and Rachael Nisbet's commentary elevating it as a worthwhile purchase for genre fans interested in 1970s Italian cop cinema and its cultural significance. 

Gary Tooze