Michele Placido's 'Romanzo Criminale' (2005) R2 UK DVD May 7th 2007.

Although based upon a book by Giancarlo De Cataldo, the first thing that strikes me about the film is its apparent connection to genre cinema from Italy during the 70s, and the idea that this films story also spans from the 70s through to modern day Italy. As we've had some really nice examples of such older genre movies thanks to NoShame releasing choice pieces like 'Almost Human' in recent times, it seems appropriate to say that it seems to be the case that Spaghetti Westerns popularity faded as the 70s progressed, and in their place came an increase in Horror and Crime fiction. Indeed, many of those crime movies could be said to be Spaghetti Westerns in different clothing.

Here's a nice surprise then, a new Crime Movie, filmed in Italian and funded by several countries - and one that had a limited theatrical release around here (and now the subsequent DVD is coming, with English Subtitles; this seems to be the first such DVD) and some very impressive reviews and associated scores. Although times have past, and (in general) budgets and production values are far better or larger these days, I would suspect you'll need to be fairly familiar with modern Italian movies and the connected older genre movies to get the most from this.

Synopsis from Allocine, "Rome, 1960s. Three young criminals, Lebanese, Ice and Dandy, decide to take a step up from the streets of Rome into the world of organised crime. It's the birth of a smart and ruthless organisation which soon crushes all its rivals assuming total control of the drugs trade, whilst imposing brutal criminal laws on Rome. Their progress and changes in leadership take place over twenty-five years, from the 1970's into the 90's, and are inseparably intertwined with the dark history of modern Italy: terrorism, kidnappings and corruption at the highest levels of government. As the three friends head to the end of an era where all vendettas are executed and scores are settled only one question remains, who will be left standing..."

'Romanzo Criminale' Official Site in Italian; includes non-working Trailer.
'Romanzo Criminale' Official English Release Site; includes QT trailer in various sizes.
'Romanzo Criminale' Information by Adrian Wootton from the London Film Festival.
Pre-Order 'Romanzo Criminale' R2 UK DVD with English Subtitles at Amazon.co.uk [Direct Link] for May 7th 2007 Release.