Rogue Cops and Racketeers: Two Crime Thrillers from Enzo G. Castellari - Arrow Video

[yoloswegmaster420]

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 making their high definition debuts with stunning new restorations in this feature-packed box set from Arrow!


2-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

- Brand new 2K restorations of both films from the original 35mm camera negatives by Arrow Films
- High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentations
- Original Italian and English front and end titles
- Restored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
- New audio commentaries on both films by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Roberto Curti and Barry Forshaw
- Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Colin Murdoch
- Twelve double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproduction artcards

DISC 1 – THE BIG RACKET

- The Years of Racketeering, a new video interview with co-writer/director Enzo G. Castellari
- Violent Times, a new video interview with actor Fabio Testi
- Angel Face for a Tough Guy, a new video interview with actor Massimo Vanni
- King of Movieola, a new video interview with editor Gianfranco Amicucci
- The Great Racket, a new appreciation and career retrospective of composers Guido and Maurizio De Angelis by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery


DISC 2 – THE HEROIN BUSTERS

- Endless Pursuit, a new video interview with co-writer/director Enzo G. Castellari
- Drug Squad, a new video interview with actor Fabio Testi
- The Drug Dealer, a new video interview with actor Massimo Vanni
- How They Killed Italian Cinema, a new video interview with editor Gianfranco Amicucci
- A Cop on the Set, a new video interview with retired poliziotto and criminologist Nicola Longo
- The Eardrum Busters, a new appreciation and career retrospective of composers Goblin by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery

[MifuneFan]

That's a great looking set. Here's the box art:

[Show spoiler]

[DukeTogo84]

The Big Racket was the last poliziotteschi that I really wanted. Fantastic film with probably the best shoot out in the entire genre. Can't wait.

[fred25_Ca]

Oh man, I know absolutely nothing of this genre (poliziotteschi). These movies any good? Have Arrow released other poliziotteschi before? Just like I had never heard of Sartana or the Vengeance trails movies (got them both), these are the kinds of releases that intrigue me. Any other boutique labels have released more? Any help would be welcome! :P

[darkness2918]

Never seen either of these but I’ll be picking this set up.

[Ben_C]

Originally Posted by fred25_Ca

Oh man, I know absolutely nothing of this genre (poliziotteschi). These movies any good? Have Arrow released other poliziotteschi before? Just like I had never heard of Sartana or the Vengeance trails movies (got them both), these are the kinds of releases that intrigue me. Any other boutique labels have released more? Any help would be welcome! :P

Poliziotteschi are absolutely brill (generally). Loads of badass characters (both heroes and villains), fisticuffs, shootouts, dangerous car chases/stunts, no hint of political correctness .

This thread will help immeasurably, very useful info about a wide array of releases from various regions:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=275234

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by fred25_Ca

These movies any good? Have Arrow released other

Both are good, but The Big Racket is honestly one of the best police films ever, with one hell of a shootout to end on.

[fred25_Ca]

Damn, thanks guys. I'll look into the other thread and i'll get this set when it's released. It's a bit too pricey right now (on Unobstructed views it comes to 80$ with shipping!) but once it drops on wowhd i'll pre-order it. Looks awesome!

[double-a]

So pumped for this, thank God raro's not doing it!

[ShawDonkey]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Both are good, but The Big Racket is honestly one of the best police films ever, with one hell of a shootout to end on.

Is it loaded otherwise in action department(+heroin busters)? While can appericate slow burners like Killer Cop, action in eurocrime often means it has more revisit value.

[RiFiFi1955]

Can't wait to pre-order these bad boys!

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by ShawDonkey

Is it loaded otherwise in action department(+heroin busters)? While can appericate slow burners like Killer Cop, action in eurocrime often means it has more revisit value.

The Grand Racket probably has more action than any Eurocrime film.

[kinkyqueen]

Zavvi just charged me for this, a little early i think

[JohnMatrix]

I wish they would have included High Crime or Street Law. Still definitely going to get this!

[Joe Molotov]

Only $38 on Amazon, nice. I think I'll pick this up.

[MifuneFan]

It's a BB Pricematch:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rogue-c...skuId=35474711

[LeDroitDeTuer]

Once again I overpaid for this with a pre-order, I should go ahead and cancel that and get it from Best Buy.

[The Great Escape]

Originally Posted by Ben_C

Poliziotteschi are absolutely brill (generally). Loads of badass characters (both heroes and villains), fisticuffs, shootouts, dangerous car chases/stunts, no hint of political correctness .

This thread will help immeasurably, very useful info about a wide array of releases from various regions:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=275234

Ben thanks for the link. I discovered these films last year. This Rogue cop set will go great with my Years of Lead set

[McWestern]

I pre-ordered this set from Diabolik and was surprised that it got delivered yesterday. I haven't had a chance to pop it in yet but the package as always from Arrow is great. Sadly no postcard tease of a future release.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Mine just came from Best Buy today. Quite a handsome set, if I may say so. Looking forward to diving in!