Franco Borelli Movies
- 1972
- R
In this comical Italian murder mystery, family members congregate at a British estate for the reading of a will. As in many mysteries before it, the attendees are murdered off one by one until only a soprano for the Metropolitan opera remains. In the end, Scotland Yard convinces her to confess because they know that she hid the second will she discovered. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
This crime action movie is based on Peter Maas' best-selling book The Valachi Papers. That book, in turn, is based on prison conversations and the actual U.S. Senate testimony of Joseph Valachi, a high-ranking figure in the Mafia. The book, which tells precisely who did what to whom, when and why, electrified the nation. This film had to be made in Italy, because attempts to shoot in the U.S. were stymied by mob-arranged "accidents" and protests. The story is told in flashback as Valachi (Charles Bronson) tells a Federal agent about his activities from 1929 to 1961, when he worked for the Capo of Capos, Vito Genovese (Lino Ventura). Though his tale necessarily takes place in a number of episodes, it never fails to have lots of drama and action. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Lino Ventura, (more)
This Italian/Spanish horror thriller walks us through the tale of Jack the Ripper once again. A nameless woman enters her room and begins to undress, only to be stabbed. Similar scenes are repeatedly shown. Suspicion for the crimes falls on a known knife-fighter in the Soho region of London. Scotland Yard headquarters erupts into a flurry of meetings and discussions. Some investigation eventually ensues but with little result, for the killings continue. Gradually, a police aide draws suspicion on himself, and his collection of gory souvenirs is discovered in his home. The Scotland Yard inspector on the scene is nearly killed, but he is saved by the Soho knifefighter. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
