Captivating Exploration of Justice, Crime, and Power

Read Time:5 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Cosa Nostra: Franco Nero In Three Mafia Tales By Damiano Damiani
3.5 – Day of the Owl (Mafia/Il giorno della civetta)
4 – The Case Is Closed, Forget It (L’istruttoria è chiusa: dimentichi)
3 – How to Kill a Judge (Perché si uccide un magistrato)
NR/M – (overall)

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 1968/1971/1975
Runtime: 1h 48m/1h 46m/1h 50m
Director(s): Damiano Damiani
Writer(s): Ugo Pirro, Damiano Damiani, Leonardo Sciascia/Dino Maiuri, Massimo De Rita, Damiano Damiani/Damiano Damiani, Fulvio Gicca Palli, Enrico Ribulsi
Cast: Franco Nero, Francoise Fabian, Claudia Cardinale, Riccardo Cucciolla, Lee J Cobb, John Steiner
Where To Watch: Available July 24, 2023, preorder now from www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Get ready for an invigorating cinematic ride through the underbelly of Italian crime narratives with COSA NOSTRA: FRANCO NERO IN THREE MAFIA TALES BY DAMIANO DAMIANI. This trifecta of dark mafia-inspired tales exhibits the creative talent of director Damiano Damiani, like a cinematic puzzle, putting together a world that’s as engaging as it is formidable.

In the first film, DAY OF THE OWL, we’re plunged into the labyrinthine world of the Sicilian mafia. Franco Nero’s charismatic portrayal of a steadfast police chief (Capt. Bellodi) anchors the film, his relentless pursuit of truth leading him into the lion’s den of daunting mafia figures and corrupt government officials, among which Lee J. Cobb (Don Mariano Arena) delivers a commanding performance as a formidable mafia head. This captivating tale draws inspiration from a seminal novel by Leonardo Sciascia, offering a compelling representation of Sicilian organized crime on the celluloid canvas.

The Sicilian backdrop, where the drama unfolds, almost becomes a character in the film. Claudia Cardinale’s (Rosa Nicolosi) brilliant portrayal of a woman fighting against societal norms to reclaim her husband and self-esteem shatters the stereotype of the submissive Sicilian woman. The film’s rhythm is regulated by a compelling blend of silence and dialogue, creating an engaging cinematic experience from start to finish.

The reel switches to the next film, and THE CASE IS CLOSED, FORGET IT steps into the spotlight, presenting Nero (Vanzi) in a drastic role reversal as he finds himself incarcerated for a minor crime. The shadowy aspects of prison life come into focus, hinting at unseen puppeteers in the mafia pulling the strings. Damiani lays bare his critique of the penal system here, shedding light on the paradox of reform within a system designed to foster criminal behavior.

The film reveals the underbelly of the prison world, marked by brutality, illicit dealings, and harsh confrontations. A unique cinematic choice to underplay the musical score amplifies the stark reality, lending an authentic voice to the narrative. This authenticity is further fortified by a cast that includes actual inmates, immersing the viewer in the world behind bars.

In the closing chapter, HOW TO KILL A JUDGE, Nero transitions to the role of Giacomo Solaris, a filmmaker. This narrative takes us through a tangled web of corruption, murder, and conspiracy, placing Solaris at the heart of the storm, investigating a judge’s real-life murder that eerily mirrors his film’s plot. Damiani critically assesses the societal consequences of mafia brutality and his role within the narrative’s structure through this film.

In this crucial piece of the trilogy, Damiani successfully intertwines political nuances with suspense. Clever staging and an unexpected outcome keep viewers on their toes throughout. The film’s stylistic elements foreground socio-political critique over action and overt suspense, offering a riveting conclusion to the trilogy of films.

In high-definition Blu-ray format, these films, meticulously restored from the original negatives, significantly add to the realm of Italian crime cinema. Damiani’s distinct directorial touch harmonizes with Nero’s impressive range of performances, sketching a multi-layered portrait of the socio-political mechanisms fueling mob activities.

In this trio of Damiani’s cinematic mafia films, Nero’s memorable performances explore themes of justice, crime, power dynamics, and the pervasive influence of the mafia on ordinary lives. COSA NOSTRA, with its high-definition 2K digital restorations and bonus features, invites audiences into the multifaceted world of Italian mob dramas, introducing them to an exhilarating facet of Italian cinema.

BONUS MATERIALS:
– 2K HD restorations of all three films with original uncompressed mono PCM audio
– New and archival extras for each film!
– Trailers for all three films
– Reversible sleeves for all three films featuring designs based on original posters
– Optional English subtitles for Italian audio and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for English audio for all three films
– DAY OF THE OWL: New interview with star Franco Nero
– DAY OF THE OWL: Archival interview with Claudia Cardinale
– DAY OF THE OWL: Identity Crime-Sis: filmmaker and Italian crime cinema expert Mike Malloy discusses The Day of the Owl in the context of the formation of the Italian crime film genre
– DAY OF THE OWL: Filmmaker Howard Berger looks at the late Italian career of actor Lee J. Cobb
– DAY OF THE OWL: Archival interview with Franco Nero, writer Ugo Pirro, and production manager Lucio Trentini
– THE CASE IS CLOSED, FORGET IT: New interview with star Franco Nero
– THE CASE IS CLOSED, FORGET IT: Archival documentary on the making of the film featuring actor Corrado Solari, assistant director Enrique Bergier and editor Antonio Siciliano
– THE CASE IS CLOSED, FORGET IT: A video essay on the career of Damiani Damiani by critic Rachael Nisbet
– HOW TO KILL A JUDGE: New Interview with Star Franco Nero
– HOW TO KILL A JUDGE: New interview with Alberto Pezzotta, author of Regia Damiano Damiani
– HOW TO KILL A JUDGE: New video essay on the film by filmmaker David Cairns
– Limited edition 80-page book featuring new writing on the film by experts on the genre, including Andrew Nette, Paul A. J. Lewis, Nathaniel Thompson

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS/MVD ENTERTAINMENT]