Free Hand for a Tough Cop: limited Edition – Fractured Visions (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1976
Director: Umberto Lenzi
Writers: Umberto Lenzi, Dardano Sacchetti
Cast: Tomas Milian, Claudio Cassinelli, Nicoletta Machiavelli, Henry Silva, Robert Hundar, Biagio Pelligra

Release Date: November 29th, 2021
Approximate Running Time: 91 Minutes 49 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English (Italian Language Track)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK)

"When the critically ill daughter of a prominent family is kidnapped by a ruthless band of thugs, Inspector Sarti (Claudio Cassinelli, Suspected Death Of A Minor) is forced to bend the rules and oversees the prison break of Sergio 'Monnezza' Marazzi (Tomas Milian, Brothers Till We Die), a lowlife criminal with deep roots in the criminal underworld. The unlikely duo team-up in hopes of retrieving the girl and catching the infamous Brescianelli (Henry Silva, Almost Human), the crime boss behind the kidnapping, before time runs out." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “2K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative."

Free Hand for a Tough Cop comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.1 GB

Feature: 26.1 GB

Though the source is in great shape. There are some density-related issues that are noticeable in darker scenes. Also, though grain is present, it does not look consistent throughout. That said, image clarity is very good, colors look correct, and though black levels generally look good, there is some room for improvement.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with two audio options: a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. Both audio mixes sound great; the dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and the action sequences sound robust. Included with this release are removable English subtitles that translate the Italian language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an Italian theatrical trailer (3 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), English VHS trailer (3 minutes 52 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), English VHS credits (3 minutes 44 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), a featurette titled Eurocrime: The Lenzi Way with Barry Forshaw (16 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Alessandra Lenzi titled  Portrait of a Daughter (18 minutes 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with producer Ugo Tucci titled Producing Mayhem (11 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Corrado Solari titled No Small Roles (28 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Nino Celeste titled Cops and Robbers (24 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), audio commentary with Eurocrime producer Mike Martinez, an audio commentary with Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson, a collectors edition slipcase, six art cards and a forty-eight page booklet with an essay titled Uno Specialista In Tutti I Generi: The Crime Films of Umberto Lenzi written by Austin Fisher, an essay titled Monnezza's Machine written by Francesco Massaccesi and an essay titled Violent Proletariat Umberto Lenzi and His Crime Films written by Eugenio Ercolani.

Summary:

Though Umberto Lenzi is often looked down upon for being a filmmaker for hire who worked in whatever genre was popular at the time, There’s no denying the impact that he had on Poliziotteschi. It’s also not surprising that this is the genre that he most excelled at, since he directed some of this genre's most celebrated films. Most notably, The Tough Ones and Almost Human.

When discussing Umberto Lenzi and Poliziotteschi cinema, one must not overlook the role that Tomas Milian played in most of these films. And in the case of Free Hand for a Tough Cop, he once again dominates the screen with another one of his over-the-top performances. Also, Free Hand for a Tough Cop marks the first time he will portray Sergio Marazzi, a.k.a. "Er Monnezza".

Though Free Hand for a Tough Cop has most of the elements that are synonymous with Poliziotteschi cinema, The result is a film that’s not as brutal as most of Umberto Lenzi’s Poliziotteschi. That said, irreverent humor plays a significant role, especially when it comes to Tomas Milian’s character's dialog. Fortunately, when it comes to Poliziotteschi cinema staples like car chases and shootouts, Free Hand for a Tough Cop delivers the goods.

The most interesting aspect of Free Hand for a Tough Cop is its premise: a police commissioner who joins forces with criminals who help him catch a kidnapper. And in the role of the police commissioner is Claudio Cassinelli, an actor who also made a name for himself in Poliziotteschi. Notably, Poliziotteschi starred in films like Killer Cop, Milano violenta, and Blood and Diamonds.

From a production standpoint, there are no areas where Free Hand for a Tough Cop comes up short. The premise is well-executed, and a briskly paced narrative that concludes with an explosive finale ensures there’s rarely a dull moment. Also, Umberto Lenzi’s direction is solid, and Bruno Canfora's score perfectly captures the tone of Free Hand for a Tough Cop. Ultimately, Free Hand for a Tough Cop is a well-made film that fans of Umberto Lenzi and Poliziotteschi are sure to enjoy.

Fractured Visions continues to show Poliziotteschi love by giving Free Hand for a Tough Cop a first-rate release that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extra content, recommended. 

Note: This release is limited to 3,000.

Written by Michael Den Boer