The_Void The whole Polizi sub-genre owes itself mainly to the release of Don Siegel's classic cop flick Dirty Harry, but this one breaks the rules a little as it takes more influence from gambling classics such as The Cincinnati Kid and The Sting. The Polizi trademarks - things such as fistfights and car chases, still feature heavily, although it's clear that the main focus of the film is on the card games. The idea of an Italian crime film about gambling appealed to me as I'm a big fan of poker, and while that game does feature here; unfortunately, it's the less exciting games of five and seven card stud that take centre stage. The plot focuses on ace gambler Luca Altieri, who impresses crime boss 'The President' after cheating some poker player out of a lot of money. The President offers Luca a chance to put his cheating skills to use for him, and Luca soon accepts. However, trouble starts when the gambler's wandering eye catches the beautiful Maria Luisa; a woman who also happens to be the mistress of the boss's son Corrado, who doesn't take too kindly to Luca's presence...Naturally, the film is completely over the top and while the influence from the aforementioned films 'The Sting' and 'The Cincinnati Kid' is clear, it's also obvious that this is a full blooded Italian thriller as Sergio Martino keeps the focus on the action and the film features far more punch-ups than a film about gambling probably should. The plot that ace scriptwriter Ernesto Gastaldi has put together is interesting for the most part, and gives the film more credibility than your average Italian rip-off thriller. The cast is good too, with the suave Luc Merenda leading the way, and receiving good support from the likes of Dayle Haddon and Corrado Pani. Martino does well at implementing the classic Italian style, and although the musical score gets a little silly at times; it's catchy enough to go well with the film. Overall, I wouldn't call Gambling City a masterpiece or even a must see; but its great fun to watch, as films like this should be, and it deserves kudos for that. Recommended to all fans of Italian cinema!

MARIO GAUCI To begin with, this film presents the worst case of Panning & Scanning I've ever come across with the camera literally jittering across the frame to reveal some pertinent information! It's not a typical poliziottesco but rather a mildly enjoyable take on THE STING (1973): Luc Merenda is practically the whole show here as the ultra-confident hustler - which isn't exactly a good thing as he's stubbornly failed to impress me (in the acting stakes) with every film he's done; he was at his most tolerable perhaps in the giallo TORSO (1973), incidentally also directed by Martino. Enrico Maria Salerno has a notable role, too, as a respected but crippled racketeer dubbed "The President".While there are the requisite action sequences, the film spends too much time on Merenda's sentimental attachment to Dayle Haddon - even going so far as to include a ludicrous downbeat coda in which both she and her newborn baby die! As a matter of fact, the film's light-hearted first half fails to jell convincingly with the roughness of the second (in which Haddon is raped, Merenda is beaten to a pulp, Salerno is viciously disposed of, etc). Besides, the film's score - usually one of such Euro-Cult items' major assets - is at once corny and reminiscent of Isaac Hayes' classic SHAFT (1971) theme! The film has received an unaccountable SE DVD release by No Shame but, despite the appalling video quality of the VHS copy I watched, I don't see myself picking it up for a possible reappraisal...

bensonmum2 It's probably unfair, but I can't help but compare Gambling City with Almost Human. Both movies were released at the same time by NoShame Films and I watched them almost back-to-back. Where Almost Human was a thrill a minute sadistic ride into the depravity of man, Gambling City is a dull, lifeless bore.My problems with Gambling City started almost from the first frame. The music is terrible. The score just never seemed appropriate or fitting to the action on screen. And the music that was played over the love scenes was so syrupy sweet that it's nauseating. It's just plain bad. Another weakness comes shortly after the lead character Luca (Luc Merenda) was introduced. He never comes across as a sympathetic figure. It's really difficult to care for him. One minute he's playing the clown, the next he's a fighter, and the next he's getting the stuffing beaten out of him. And none of it had an effect on me because it's difficult to feel for someone you care so little about.But the real problem lies in the plot. It's all too predictable. It's way to easy to see the outcome of this movie from a mile away. I defy anyone to watch Gambling City and be genuinely surprised about what happens to Luca and his woman. The complete lack of surprises in the story made the entire film an absolute bore.With all the negatives, I will admit that the movie looks good. The cinematography, set design, and locations are beautiful. It's too bad that Gambling City isn't as good as it looks – and isn't near as good as Almost Human.

Giovanni rossi This movie's about a street-wise gambler who starts working for a big criminal organization, working as a professional gambler for them, Every thing seems to go alright, until Luca (Luc Merenda), falls in love with a woman who financially lives of the Big bosse's son money, in return for giving her body to him, The bosse's son want to take revenge on Luca, but his father 'The president(Who also deals in drugs, and other illegal activities) who also happens to be in a wheel chair (Enrico Maria Salerno) doesn't want his son touching Luca, being that Luca is a great Gambler, and makes alot of Money for the organization, This is the premise, Obviously the story thickens alot being full of twists and surprises, the plot making it one of the greatest tragic, violent, and complex Luc merenda's film. And Enrico Maria Salerno is obviously Great as usual, This is the typical movie that if Hollywood remade it, it would obviously be a sure number on hit.