The Power Balance: Mafia, Fascists, and Mori

Read Time:4 Minute, 3 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Iron Prefect (Il prefetto di ferro/I Am the Law)
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 1977, 2023 Radiance Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director(s): Pasquale Squitieri
Writer(s): Arrigo Petacco (novel,) Arrigo Petacco (story and screenplay,) Ugo Pirro (story,) Pasquale Squitieri (screenplay)
Cast: Giuliano Gemma, Claudia Cardinale, Francisco Rabal
Where To Watch: available July 18, 2023, pre-order here www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: THE IRON PREFECT whisks you off on a cinematic journey into the heart of pre-War Sicily, inviting you to step into the boots of Cesare Mori, the steely law enforcer known to locals as the "Iron Prefect." His tale is riveting, full of justice, grit, and peril amidst the suffocating clutch of the Sicilian mafia. Giuliano Gemma's incarnation of Mori not only electrifies the screen but also captivates audiences. See Sicily as you've never seen it before in this gorgeous restoration of a film with a lot to say!

THE IRON PREFECT gleams with its unique blend of carefully stitched political intrigue and a tight-knit narrative. October 1926, Gemma's Mori dusts off his badge and buckles up for a mission – an assignment from Mussolini himself to bring down the looming shadow of Cosa Nostra in Sicily. By his side, his loyal wingman Maggiore Spano, brought to life by Stefano Satta Flores, helps Mori dismantle the mafia's vice-like grip. This is no walk in the park – potential assassinations and a terrified public are just a few hurdles in their way.

The film lauds Mori's jaw-dropping feats, especially his audacious conquest of a notorious mafia bastion. This win paves the way for capturing several mafia kingpins but also shakes the uneasy balance of power between mafia dons and corrupt fascist rulers. Undeterred by the crosshairs on his back, Mori's unwavering chase for justice lasts until 1929, when he is politically sidelined into a senatorial role.

Stepping onto the Sicilian landscape as a venerated judge, Mori has one goal etched: pulverize the mafia. However, this proves easier said than done, as the mafia's tendrils have burrowed deep into Sicilian society and reached Italy's pinnacle of power. Mori's early triumphs are marred by the discovery that several of his former arrests have been given a get-out-of-jail-free card after his return from World War.

THE IRON PREFECT's canvas stretches across Sicily, a historical backdrop that adds depth and authenticity to the film. Shying away from the modern settings of Poliziotteschi cinema, this film painstakingly recreates Sicily's unique atmosphere with authentic shooting locations and impeccable costume design. Squitieri's political inclinations further color the narrative, adding a dose of intrigue to Mori's saga.

Mori's mission extends beyond the mafia. He casts his net wider, aiming to trap other influential figures with ties to the mafia. This strategy unveils links to Mussolini and his cronies. THE IRON PREFECT straddles the biopic and thriller genres. The narrative, grounded in historical events, is skillfully expanded for maximum dramatic intrigue.

In the hands of Squitieri, THE IRON PREFECT becomes a rich canvas of biography with thriller elements and a deep dive into mafia politics. Although it occasionally struggles to reach its full potential, the film offers gripping moments of high-octane intensity. THE IRON PREFECT serves up a slice of Sicilian history, artfully balancing the demands of cinematic spectacle and historical integrity.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
– 2K restoration of the film from the original negative presented with Italian and English audio options
– Uncompressed mono PCM audio
– Archival interview with director Pasquale Squitieri and star Giuliano Gemma (2009)
– New interview with Squitieri biographer Domenico Monetti (2023)
– New appreciation of Giuliano Gemma and the film by filmmaker Alex Cox (2023)
– Original trailer
– New and improved English subtitles for Italian audio and English subtitles for the deaf or hard of hearing for English audio
– Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
– Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Italian cinema expert Guido Bonsaver and an original article on the real-life Cesare Mori and his Mafia raid as depicted within the film
– Limited edition of 2000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]