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Kidnap Syndicate - Raro Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1975
Director: Fernando Di Leo
Writers: Fernando Di Leo, Ernesto Gastaldi, Galliano Juso, Nicola Manzari
Cast: Luc Merenda, James Mason, Irina Maleeva, Marino Masé, Daniele Dublino, Vittorio Caprioli, Valentina Cortese, Marco Liofredi, Francesco Impeciati

Release Date: July 30th, 2013
Approximate running time: 98 minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / VC-1 Video
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95 (Kidnap Syndicate is part of Fernando Di Leo: The Italian Crime Collection: Volume 2)

"Colella is a hard working but struggling mechanic who raises his son Fabrizio after his wife passed away. Fabrizio is friends with Antonio, son of the extremely rich but incredibly repugnant businessman Filippini. When criminals kidnap Antonio in front of school, the brave Fabrizio tries to prevent this and the nervous kidnappers pull him into the car as well. They demand a huge ransom for the boys, but the pigheaded Filippini refuses to give in to criminals and put the lives of the boys at stake, whilst Colella and even the police commissioner can't do anything. Colella goes after them, but soon stumbles upon a very complex and well-protected network." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Digitally Restored."

Kidnap Syndicate comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.9 GB

Feature: 20.8 GB

The source used for this transfer looks dated, and there’s noticeable source-related debris (blue dots). Colors, image clarity, and black levels leave a lot of room for improvement, and there are compression related issues.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with two audio options: a LPCM Mono mix in English and a LPCM Mono mix in Italian. Both audio mixes sound clean, clear, and balanced throughout. Though the range is rather limited at times, the more action-oriented and ambient aspects of the soundtrack fare really well. Included with this release are removable English subtitles.

Then there is a difference in the quality of the performances of the Italian and English audio mixes, with the obvious edge in every instance going to the Italian language track. As is often the case with foreign films, the English "dubbed" audio mixes tend to drastically change the vibe of the film.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a featurette titled Violent Cities: The Other Fernando Di Leo’s Trilogy (28 minutes, 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles). The three films that make up Fernando Di Leo’s Violent Cities trilogy are Shoot First, Die Later, Kidnap Syndicate, and Nick the Sting.

The Kidnap Syndicate is part of Fernando Di Leo: The Italian Crime Collection: Volume 2. This box set also contains Naked Violence and Shoot First, Die Later. This box set comes with a twenty-four page booklet that comes with cast and crew information for Kidnap Syndicate, Naked Violence, and Shoot First, Die Later; brief essays for Kidnap Syndicate and Naked Violence; and an essay about Shoot First, Die Later that’s broken down into six sections: Introduction, The Production, The Cast, The Director of Action, The Soundtrack, and The Melville Mystery; and a bio for Fernando Di Leo.

Summary:

Though Kidnap Syndicate is rooted in the crime genre like the bulk of his filmography. The end result is something that stands apart from anything else he had made to that point in his career or anything that would follow this film.

By the mid 1970's, two elements that were on the rise in the crime film genre included kidnapping and vigilantes. And this the case of Kidnap Syndicate these too worlds merge flawlessly. And in many ways one could almost propose that each half of the film represent each of these two worlds. The first half is all about the abduction, while the second half is about exacting vengeance.

Also, though there is some subtext that underlines this film, like all of Di Leo’s films, It is not as pronounced here in this film. And this is another reason why this film stands apart from the majority of Di Leo’s cinematic canon.

There are richly detailed characters, plenty of brutal onscreen violence, and a handful of jaw-dropping chase sequences to round out the package. The visuals are first rate and the brisk pacing ensures that getting from point A to Z is never an issue.

Performance wise, the entire cast is all good in their respective roles. With most of the focus being on this film’s leading man, Luc Merenda (Gambling City), gives one of the more well-rounded performances of his career. On the other hand, James Mason (North by Northwest, Lolita) gives a wonderfully flamboyant performance that offers a nice contrast to Merenda’s aforementioned performance. Despite its bleak subject matter, Kidnap Syndicate is a riveting crime drama that ultimately succeeds due to its strong payoff.

Raro Video’s Kidnap Syndicate Blu-ray release has a mediocre transfer that leaves a lot of room for improvement.