Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 30, 2015

1975’s “Killer Cop” uses the 1969 Piazza Fontana Bombing as inspiration for another round of cop vs. criminal action. The Americanized title is a tad misleading, as the picture is more about investigation than a steady serving of vigilante-style justice, but “Killer Cop” does carry darkness, with movements of terrorism and corruption driving an otherwise immobile police movie that’s often more tell than show.

Lead actor Claudio Cassinelli delivers powerful work as Matteo, a cop faced with impossible loss when a terrorist bombing is executed in Milan, while his friend on the force pays the ultimate price for knowledge of the prime suspect. It’s raging work that keeps “Killer Cop” alert -- a level of fury it needs to get through extended scenes of exposition and debate, with the powers that be discussing the situation at hand, extensively. Director Luciano Ercoli (who passed away last March) believes in conversation as much as action, and to his credit, some of the clue-gathering is interesting, especially anything tied to a development that finds the bomber panicked over the loss of his glasses at the crime scene. The rest of “Killer Cop” doesn’t offer much snap, but Ercoli keeps Italian street life engaging, with a raw realism and the occasional dash through the city.

Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation does shows signs of age, with a slightly muted color palette that periodically breaks through with hearty primaries. Skintones look natural for the era. Period cinematography has it weaknesses, including focus trouble, but inherent softness is matched with periodic sharpness, best with close-ups that work facial features in full. Grain is managed, not embraced, with some filtering employed to balance out the image. Delineation is passable but never remarkable, finding frame information with interiors and darker costuming.

Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM mix shows off a pleasing range with the opening titles, which carry an impressive heft with the opening soundtrack selection. Scoring also sounds slightly aged but fine, carrying intensity when necessary. Dialogue exchanges are dubbed, cut thickly and loudly, leaving intelligibility intact. Atmospherics mostly come through with street scenes, leaving city life clear, while violence retains a duller punch.

Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains 12 pages featuring an essay on the film.

• Interview (20:00, SD) with production manager Alessandro Calosci details some background information and creative intent, while celebrating thespian achievements.

• A Theatrical Trailer is not included on this disc.

Killer Cop Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Killer Cop" does manage to work itself up for a grand finale, getting the characters mobile as tension mounts. I wish there was more of that energy spread throughout the feature, which could employ a consistent routine of action and not lose an ounce of integrity as it details the horrors of mass death. It's certainly inspired at times, but as a chapter in the Italian crime genre, "Killer Cop" is missing a profound sense of unrest.