Euro-cult fans expecting a fun action romp might find themselves surprised by Emergency Squad. Despite the exciting-sounding title, this film is a very somber, drama-oriented affair. Director Stelvio Massi includes a few shoot-outs and car chases but otherwise downplays the action in favor of making the film a two-pronged character study. This approach works because he has a pair of strong, subtle performances to lean on from Tomas Milian and Gastone Moschin: Milian broods convincingly as the obsessive, single-minded Ravelli and Moschin manages to be both subtle and intense as icy criminal Marseilles. Their work lends the film a melancholy tone, a feel that is further enhanced by the austere location photography by Sergio Rubini and a sadly melodic score from Stelvio Cipriani. Ultimately, viewers expecting straightforward action might find themselves disappointed by the mood-piece approach of Emergency Squad, but those viewers patient enough to stick with the film will find that is rewarding on its own terms.
Emergency Squad (1974)
Directed by Stelvio Massi
Genres - Action |
Sub-Genres - Action Thriller, Poliziotteschi |
Run Time - 112 min. |
Countries - Italy |
MPAA Rating - NR
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