Shoot First, Die Later - 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, Richard Conte, Delia Boccardo, Raymond Pellegrin, Gianni Santuccio, Vittorio Caprioli, Salvo Randone

Release Date: May 28th, 2013
Approximate running time: 94 minutes 9 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: $24.95

"Luc Merenda gives the performance of his career as a highly regarded police detective who is taking syndicate money in exchange for departmental favors. His father, a simple man, also works for the department but at a lower level; he isn't jealous of his son, but rather proud of him, little knowing that he's a crooked cop. A series of events leads the young detective to ask his father for a favor (he wants a certain police report that is desired by the syndicate) and it doesn't take long for the detective's father to realize his son is on the take, which leads to numerous complications." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New HD transfer from original 35mm negative."

Shoot First, Die Later comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.7 GB

Feature: 18.6 GB

Though the source used for this transfer is in great shape. The result is a transfer that has many of the shortcomings that have plagued Raro Video’s Blu-ray releases. That said, despite its shortcomings this transfer is one of Raro Video’s stronger transfers.

Audio: 4/5

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 Italian with removable English subtitles and English language trailers for Shoot First, Die Later(3 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), a featurette titled Master of the Game (24 minutes 58 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a featurette titled The Second Round of the Game (21 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a slipcover that has alternate cover art then the keep cases cover art and a twenty page booklet that contains cast & crew information, 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:

Content-wise, Shoot First, Die Later echoes many themes explored in previous Fernando di Leo crime thrillers. The more pronounced violence in Shoot First, Die Later presents an escalation of gruesome moments of carnage that would reach its fever pitch with To Be Twenty.

When it comes to gritty action set pieces, very few of Fernando di Leo’s contemporaries come close to capturing the ferocity that is evident in all of his crime thrillers. Right from the get go he establishes a brutal tone that lingers throughout with an opening sequence involving torture. And though this is just one of many violent moments in the film, Fernando di Leo also spends an ample amount of time establishing both character and motivation.

From top to bottom, this production excels in every area. The visuals are rock solid, pacing is never an issue, and the aforementioned action set pieces are all top notch, especially the obligatory car chase sequence. The entire cast delivers excellent performances, with Luc Merenda (Torso) as the protagonist, a corrupt police detective named Domenico Malacarne, delivering the most surprising performance. This performance is far and away the most memorable of his career. Ultimately, Shoot First, Die Later is an exceptional Poliziotteschi that achieves a perfect balance between the more violent moments and an underlying subtext about abuse of power.

Shoot First, Die Later gets a strong Blu-ray release from Raro Video that comes with a good audio/video presentation and a trio of informative extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer