Mark Turner When looking into this film before watching it I kept seeing it referred to as a giallo film, those Italian films that featured a killer being hunted by police or more often someone affected by their murders. While watching it I found it felt less like a giallo and more like one of the police action films that seemed to pour out of Italy in the 70s known as Poliziesco (police thriller). The end result will be up to each viewer to decide.The film opens with a young woman on the run, a prostitute who is followed and found and quickly killed by a sunglass wearing killer. A man she bumped into at a dance hall begins looking into her death and it isn't until later in the film we discover he is police detective Paolo Germi (Claudio Cassinelli). Recruiting the help of a street thief named Giannino he begins a rather strange investigation of the situation.Germi is unlike most detectives in that he has his own way of doing things. He inserts himself into the criminal world and isn't averse to opening fire when need be or slugging his way out of a situation. While not quite the vigilante style that audiences have come to associate with characters like Dirty Harry he does tend to ignore a number of laws while seeking out who the killer is.Along the way Germi learns that there is more to the case than a simple murder of a prostitute. It all revolves around a teenage prostitution ring and the powerful man behind it all. You know that a face off will eventually come, the only question being who will walk away from it unscathed? The film features two items that fill a lot of screen time, one different than most and the other part and parcel of the genre. The humor in the film is what is unusual, even more so when it's not limited to Germi's sidekick but includes him as well. A running gag about him constantly breaking his glasses is a nice twist. The second and more common item is a lengthy car chase and this film has more than one. One of them brings these two elements together as Germi and Giannino toss the doors of Germi's car at a pursuing police car since Germi is undercover.In the end the movie is an enjoyable film to watch and entertains from the beginning to the end. The end itself is quite satisfying after having watched the rest of the film. Cassinelli never had the chance to make his way to starring in U.S. films because his life was cut short in a tragic helicopter crash 10 years after this film was made. He shows the potential to become a world class star here and it's sad he never had the opportunity.Arrow Video has done their usual bang up job for this release. To start with they're offering a brand new 2k restoration of the film from the original camera negative meaning you get the best picture quality for this film ever. Extras include a new commentary track by Troy Howarth (the author of SO DEADLY, SO PERVERSE: 50 YEARS OF Italian GIALLO FILMS), new interviews with director Sergio Martino and cinematographer Giancarlo Ferrando, a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by Chris Malbon and with the first pressing only an illustrated collector's booklet with new writing by Barry Forshaw.

MARIO GAUCI I had never heard of this before its Sazuma "Special Edition" DVD came along (though I actually acquired it recently from ulterior sources); consequently, I took the film to be a very minor Martino effort – so that I went into it without much expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it all turned out to be – more so, in fact, than some of the director's more popular titles…though I can see how anyone hoping for a typical giallo will be confused and disappointed by its overriding poliziottesco elements, and even more so the sometimes daft comedy touches (on which I'll elaborate later on). Thematically, SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR is an unofficial companion to the Massimo Dallamano trilogy of gialli revolving around teenage prostitution rackets – WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? (1972), WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS? (1974) and RINGS OF FEAR (1978; completed by Alberto Negrin after the film-maker's tragic demise in a road accident); in that regard, it's hardly original, but Martino (whose last genre outing this proved to be) lends it his customary flair – aided a great deal by a splendid Goblinesque score courtesy of the obscure Luciano Michelini. Casting is another asset, led by Claudio Cassinelli – who would himself suffer an untimely death 10 years later in a helicopter crash while filming another Martino film! – as the unconventional hero (forever breaking his spectacles, he starts off as mystery-man and rogue but is eventually revealed to be a special undercover cop), Mel Ferrer as his long-suffering superior, and Massimo Girotti as the obligatory would-be respectable but all-powerful businessman pulling the strings. While there are obviously a number of female figures here (though, uncharacteristically, little nudity), none really emerges to take center-stage – including late starlet Jenny Tamburi who, despite a severely underwritten role, is still given an unwarranted cruel fate! The film comes to life principally in a handful of well-staged set-pieces, which take the form of chases rather than murders – an assassination attempt aboard a roller-coaster ride, a cliff-hanging sequence involving the opening roof of a cinema (which, according to an online review, is showing Martino's own YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY [1972]!), and the climactic across-the-water showdown between Cassinelli and Girotti. However, the most memorable (because it is so unexpected) certainly emerges the comical one in which the hero and his petty-thief pal take the Police on a wild ride – driving a rickety machine whose doors are constantly getting dislodged, Cassinelli asks his companion to throw them at their pursuers…but there's also a bit where a man riding a bike is left with a mere tricycle following a brush with the speeding vehicles and another which, hilariously, has a hit-and-run victim literally land and roll (repeatedly) on his head!

Snowygooner I have to say that before I comment on this title that I am a fan of Sergio Martino's films. Particularly 'Torso', which I rate as one of the greatest of all Italian horror films. Therefore, my enthusiasm for this film and my high rating should be taken with a pinch of salt by anyone looking for a classic giallo. This is no 'Solange'. In fact, this film could easily slip into the comedy-action-thriller genre. In its defence, I would say that it does have gorgeous topless girls savagely murdered in fantastic close-up and a catchy score too. Therefore, there is enough to keep fans of the genre interested. But, and it is a big but, there is no mystery element as we see the killer's face in all the death scenes. Are you still keen? Then read on.The plot: A young hooker is discovered savagely murdered by inspector Germi, played by Claudio Cassinelli. He then embarks on a rather unorthodox investigation in search of the killer. Along the way, he happens to enlist the services of Giannino, a little pickpocket, and they both proceed to uncover a teenaged girl trafficking ring with connections that lead all the way up to the top.There are some fine comedy moments in this film. How about this little exchange between Germi and a young woman he is questioning, to wet your appetite? "I'm collecting Stamps." – "Oh yeah? Far out. Then stick one on your ass and send yourself to New York 'cause you're getting on my nerves." If this is your kind of comedy then there is plenty more where that came from. I only wish that the jokes and slapstick could have continued throughout the film.Sazuma present the film restored and in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen. You get the original Italian language soundtrack with English, German and Dutch subtitles; along with a feature commentary by film critics Christian Kebler and Robert Zion. A featurette titled 'Crime Scene Milan', the Italian trailer and a poster gallery complete the package.The bottom-line? Yes, it is a peculiar film and in no way can it rank alongside 'Torso', 'Excite Me' or 'The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh'. Nevertheless, for Sergio Martino fans and must-see-every giallo types, this has to be a must-buy DVD.

christopher-underwood If you are expecting a 'giallo' to unfold, and with the title, box art and opening of the film, you have every right to do so, you will be a little disappointed.For instead this is a right hotchpotch of styles and levels of seriousness. Once aware that this is going to go all over the place and include social comment and slapstick comedy whilst retaining a sleazy back story of under age prostitution one can relax and enjoy, at face value, a most likable film.Made after most of his 'giallo' greats this is always watchable with fine moments. It's just that it's not what you would expect.