When a big heroin shipment turns up missing, the big boss
(Adolfo Celi) casts suspicion on an innocent pimp named Luca (Mario
Adorf). Henry Silva and Woody Strode are
two hitmen from New York who are sent to Milan to whack him. Naturally, his wife and child get killed in
the crossfire, which sends Luca on a bloody path of revenge.
Man Hunt was the second film in director Fernando Di Leo’s “Milieu
Trilogy” and if this is any indication, I’m going to have to check the other
parts out. It’s a tough, mean, violent,
and enormously entertaining crime flick that features one of the best chase
scenes I’ve ever seen. When Adorf sees
his wife and child ran over by a hitman, he latches onto the door of the van while
it’s still in motion, punching the guy in the face repeatedly. The driver swings the door open, which sends
Adorf flying onto the windshield. He
then headbutts the windshield in a frenzied rage until it cracks open and he
can finally get his hands around the guy’s neck. It’s incredible.
The rest of the film isn’t quite up to that level, but it
does have a nasty streak to it that makes it memorable. The finale is especially great. Adorf uses a crane like an arcade claw
machine to pick up Henry Silva. When’s
the last time you saw that in a movie?
Speaking of Silva, he gives a lively performance and is a
lot of fun to watch. Pairing him with
the stoic Strode was an inspired touch and their mismatched antics are consistently
amusing. It was also nice seeing the
stars of Thunderball, Luciana Paluzzi and Adolfo Celi together again.
AKA: Hitmen. AKA:
The Italian Connection. AKA: Manhunt in Milan. AKA:
Black Kingpin. AKA: Hired to Kill. AKA:
Manhunt in the City.
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