A Cop Story Steeped in Betrayal

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MOVIE REVIEW
The .44 Specialist (Blu-ray) (Mark colpisce ancora) (Mark Strikes Again)
– Genre: Crime, Action
Year Released: 1976, Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director(s): Stelvio Massi
Writer(s): Lucio De Caro, Dardano Sacchetti
Cast: Franco Gasparri, John Saxon, John Steiner, Marcella Michelangeli
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stelvio Massi’s THE .44 SPECIALIST (originally released in Italy as Mark colpisce ancora, or Mark Strikes Again) lands in the heart of the Eurocrime boom of the 1970s, when gritty realism and relentless violence defined a whole generation of Italian cop thrillers. As the third entry in the “Mark” trilogy, it brings back Franco Gasparri’s Inspector Mark Patti for another dive into the murky intersection of crime, politics, and undercover policing. Kino Lorber’s 2025 Blu-ray release resurrects the film for a new audience, reminding us why these poliziotteschi films still pulse with raw energy decades later.

The story wastes no time throwing Mark into danger. After a murderous drug dealer escapes custody, the inspector is assigned to infiltrate a terrorist organization. However, the assignment quickly becomes more complex, drawing him into a spiral of political violence where allegiances become blurred. He’s forced to work alongside Altman, a shady U.S. agent played by John Saxon, and face off against a skeletal, unnerving antagonist in John Steiner’s Paul. Marcella Michelangeli’s Olga adds another layer of tension, bringing both allure and menace into the fold.

Massi directs with intensity, staging scenes that oscillate between tightly wound suspense and violence. Shootouts erupt in city streets, terrorists stage mass killings in offices and hotels, and the infamous hijacking sequence pushes the film’s sense of dread to the edge. Unlike many of its contemporaries, which relied solely on car chases and corruption tropes, THE 44 SPECIALIST leans into the political climate of the time, where terrorism and radicals dominated headlines.

Franco Gasparri isn’t the most expressive actor in the genre, but he brings a stoic, charismatic presence that fits the role of a cop constantly in over his head. John Saxon, a familiar face from cult classics like ENTER THE DRAGON and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, elevates the film by grounding the conspiracy-laden narrative with his steady screen presence. Steiner, meanwhile, is as icy and commanding as ever, embodying the kind of larger-than-life villain that Eurocrime films thrived on. Together, they create a balance of credibility and pulp exaggeration that works in the film’s favor.

The score by Stelvio Cipriani adds a relentless drive to the film. His music, often jazzy and propulsive, has long been a staple of the genre, and here it blends perfectly with the film’s shifting moods. Whether punctuating the chaotic firefights or simmering beneath the quieter moments of infiltration, it gives the movie its pulse. Combined with Massi’s knack for handheld immediacy and gritty urban location work, the result is both stylish and grim.

Of course, the film isn’t flawless. Some sequences drag, and the plotting can feel more like a series of violent set-pieces strung together rather than a tightly constructed narrative. Gasparri, while solid, lacks the emotion that might have given Mark Patti more complexity as a recurring character. By this third entry, some viewers may also feel the formula showing its seams—another infiltration, another escalation, another bloody climax.

What separates THE .44 SPECIALIST from average entries in the genre is its willingness to embrace terrorism as a central theme. Instead of small-time gangsters or corrupt officials, Mark finds himself navigating a web of political extremists, radicals, and compromised institutions. This added dimension makes the story more ambitious and more unsettling, even if its execution doesn’t always match its intent. The result is a film that feels both of its time and uncomfortably relevant.

Kino Lorber’s release also highlights the film’s cultural value. With restored picture quality, alternate audio options, and a commentary track, this edition ensures the film doesn’t remain a forgotten relic of grindhouse cinema. Instead, it’s positioned as part of a larger cinematic history, one worth revisiting not just for its pulpy thrills but for what it reveals about Italy’s turbulent 1970s.

Ultimately, THE .44 SPECIALIST delivers exactly what fans of poliziotteschi want: brutal violence, morally compromised characters, and a sense of urban chaos where justice is anything but clean. It’s not the pinnacle of the genre, nor is it Massi’s strongest work, but it’s a film that captures the rawness and unpredictability that made these movies unforgettable. As the third strike in the Mark trilogy, it proves the formula still has juice left, even if some cracks show along the way.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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