Rogue Cops and Racketeers: Two Films by Enzo G. Castellari

Description

Over a long and wide-ranging career, director Enzo G. Castellari (Keoma, The Inglorious Bastards) helmed some of the most infamous of all the poliziotteschi – the gritty, action-packed crime films that proliferated in Italy throughout the 70s. Buckle up for a heart-stopping thrill ride through the seedy underbelly of Italian society in two of his most celebrated thrillers!In 1976’s The Big Racket, Inspector Nico Palmieri (Fabio Testi, What Have You Done to Solange?) is hot on the heels of a gang of ruthless racketeers. Realizing he’s not going to get anywhere within the confines of the law, Nico recruits a crack squad of civilians to dole out their own brand of justice. Then, in 1977’s The Heroin Busters, rule-flouting cop Fabio (Testi) goes deep undercover, chasing a globe-trotting ring of drug-smugglers suspected to be operating out of Rome. But can he and Mike Hamilton (David Hemmings, Deep Red), an Interpol agent with a hair-trigger temper, stay one step ahead of the criminals long enough to bring them down from the inside?Featuring death-defying stunts, explosive shoot-outs and a pair of addictive, toe-tapping soundtracks courtesy of the De Angelis brothers (Torso) and legendary prog rock group Goblin (Suspiria), these two films represent the crème de la crème of the Italian crime thriller, both in stunning restorations and packed with bonus features.2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS2K restorations of both films from the original 35mm camera negatives by Arrow FilmsHigh Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentationsOriginal Italian and English front and end titlesRestored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracksOptional English subtitles for the Italian soundtracksOptional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracksAudio commentaries on both films by critics Adrian J. Smith and David FlintReversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Colin Murdoch DISC 1 – THE BIG RACKETThe Years of Racketeering, a video interview with co-writer/director Enzo G. CastellariViolent Times, a video interview with actor Fabio TestiAngel Face for a Tough Guy, a video interview with actor Massimo VanniKing of Movieola, a video interview with editor Gianfranco AmicucciThe Great Racket, an appreciation and career retrospective of composers Guido and Maurizio De Angelis by musician and disc collector Lovely JonTheatrical trailerImage gallery DISC 2 – THE HEROIN BUSTERSEndless Pursuit, a video interview with co-writer/director Enzo G. CastellariDrug Squad, a video interview with actor Fabio TestiThe Drug Dealer, a video interview with actor Massimo VanniHow They Killed Italian Cinema, a video interview with editor Gianfranco AmicucciA Cop on the Set, a video interview with retired poliziotto and criminologist Nicola LongoThe Eardrum Busters, an appreciation and career retrospective of composers Goblin by musician and disc collector Lovely JonTheatrical trailerImage gallery