STREET LAW

"...and when the law is unjust it's not only your right but your duty to rebel!"
A vigilante is just a man lost in the scramble for his own gratification. He can be destroyed, or locked up; but if you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, and if they can't stop you, you become something else entirely.

Henri Ducard - Batman Begins (2005)

I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!

Howard Beale - Network (1976)

Can't you people take the law into your own hands? I mean we can't be policing the entire city.

Chief Wiggum - "The Simpsons"

Street Law (1974) aka Il Cittadino si rubella aka Vigilante II...directed by Enzo G. Castellari (High Crime, Keoma, Bronx Warriors 2), the film stars popular Italian actor Franco Nero (High Crime, Keoma, Force 10 from Navarone, Die Hard 2: Die Harder). Also appearing is Giancarlo Prete (Mister X), Barbara Bach (The Spy Who Loved Me, Caveman), Nazzareno Zamperla (Ballad of Death Valley), Massimo Vanni (The New Barbarians),...

Italian "Death Wish" with Franco Nero
Released the same year as Death Wish, Enzo Castellari's Street Law has some similarities to the Charles Bronson revenge movie, but it's not fair to either movie to say one copies the other. They're both good movies, and that's enough for me. Genoan engineer Carlo Antonelli is taken as a hostage during a botched bank robbery and severely beaten before being dumped by the three robbers. But the police won't help him, he's still alive, so Carlo takes it upon himself to get justice, his methods becoming more harsh as the police continue to ignore him. The storyline's similar to Death Wish but does enough differently so you're not watching a straight remake. Like most Castellari movies, there's some great action here, including the opening car chase and the final showdown in an expansive, empty hangar. Add in another trippy but memorable score from the De Angelis brothers, Guido and Maurizio, and we've got a highly recommended Italian thriller. It does take a little time to get...

Third Time's A Charm
Alright, this is now the third time I've written a review for this film. My first two weren't posted and God only knows why, but hopefully this one will be. I'll be much more brief if that'll help. Street Law is an Italian(part of Blue Underground's Enzo Castellari triple feature) Death Wish inspired crime thriller. Franco Nero's a victim of a beating and decides to get revenge when the police end up being useless. Nero does a great job(some wonderful facial expresssions) as a far from perfect vigilante. Highly recommended for fans of the Italian style. Sorry this isn't a more detailed review, but frankly, I'm sick of writing it over and over.

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