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 a Italian language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), English language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with director Fernando Di Leo titled Master of the Game (24 minutes 58 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actor Luc Merenda 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:

Fernando Di Leo directed Shoot First, Die Later. He’s a filmmaker who is most known for his work in the Poliziotteschi genre. His notable films include To Be Twenty, Slaughter Hotel, and Caliber 9.

A highly respected police commissioner tries to conceal his corruption.

Though Fernando Di Leo worked in various genres, he is most known for his work in the Poliziotteschi, and he is widely regarded as this genre's best director. In Fernando Di Leo’s first three Poliziotteschi films, referred to as the Milieu Trilogy, the focus was on the criminal underworld. However, in Shoot First, Die Later, the police are portrayed as equally corrupt as the criminals. When discussing the cinema of Fernando Di Leo, particularly his work in the Poliziotteschi genre, it is important to highlight composer Luis Bacalov's significant contributions to the overall atmosphere. His score for Shoot First, Die Later stands out as another exemplary example of a mood-enhancing soundtrack.  

With Shoot First, Die Later, Fernando Di Leo creates a compelling morality tale. On one side you have a son who respects his father, and yet he works outside of the lines because he wants more than the meager salary his job provides. Then you have the father who is morally centered, and there is nothing that will make him cross that line. Things come to a head when the son needs his father's help to make some evidence disappear, which leads to a rift between them.

When it comes to the performances, they are outstanding, especially Luc Merenda (The Violent Professionals) in the role of police commissioner Domenico Malacarne. This is one of his strongest performances, as he does a superb job portraying a man living on the edge. Another performance of note is Vittorio Caprioli (To Be Twenty), who portrays Esposito, an old man who unknowingly reports evidence linked to a murder. Other notable cast members include Richard Conte (Tony Arzenta) in a familiar role of a crime boss, Delia Boccardo (Detective Belli), who portrays Domenico’s girlfriend, and Salvo Randone (The Working Class Goes to Heaven), who portrays Domenico’s father.

When it comes to creating gritty action sequences and conveying raw intensity, Fernando di Leo is unparalleled. Shoot First, Die Later, like so many of his Poliziotteschi, opens big with a bloodbath where characters are beaten and excessively shot for encroaching on someone’s territory. The most surprising aspect is how much time is spent on establishing characters and their motivations. While there are numerous carnage-driven set pieces, Shoot First, Die Later features two particularly well-executed car chases. 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