Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Massacre Mafia Style Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 10, 2015

About 17 years ago, when I attended a midnight showing of “The Beyond” during its brief Quentin Tarantino-approved re-release, I received my first look at Duke Mitchell’s “Massacre Mafia Style” (a.k.a. “Like Father, Like Son” and “The Executioner”). The trailer (later revealed to be the opening sequence of the endeavor) was a display of ultraviolence and unintentional comedy that blew my mind, sharing a bizarre vision of mass death, bad acting, missed cues, and big hair that proved to be irresistible, triggering an immediate need to see the film. Contact would come years later at a cult movie society screening, which utilized a print that was likely used as finish line tape for local marathons, leaving the viewing experience unstable, mucking with Mitchell’s idiosyncratic vision. Now “Massacre Mafia Style” has arrived on Blu-ray with a revived image and clear soundtrack, allowing B-movie daredevils and the curious an opportunity to view the effort as Mitchell intended, permitting appreciation for its substantial passion, iffy creative choices, and torrent of violence.

Mimi Miceli (Duke Mitchell) is a frustrated widower in Sicily, living in the shadow of his father, who once commanded mob interests in America. Leaving his young son behind, Mimi arrives in Los Angeles ready for a fight, recruiting pal Jolly (Vic Caesar) with plans to revive the Italian mafia’s control over the city, taking the place of elders who’ve gone soft or straight, leaving small-time crooks to claim critical operations. Using blunt force to announce his presence, Mimi quickly rattles the system, killing those who oppose him, gaining a dangerous reputation. While mob leaders figure out what to do about Mimi’s reign of terror, the hitman holds on to heart, dreaming of a reunion with his son and father, while making time with his lover, Liz (Cara Salerno), remaining elusive with Jolly as they struggle to keep their power in focus, soon challenged by increasingly hostile rivals.

“Massacre Mafia Style” isn’t for the faint of heart, with the aforementioned opening loudly announcing the tone of the picture with a hail of bullets and pile of victims, following Mimi and Jolly as they shoot up an office building in response to an uncooperative associate. It’s one of the few features that delivers everything up front, showcasing Mitchell’s gift with music (a former crooner himself, the writer/director/star knows a thing or two about soundtrack cuts), shock value, and timing. Production limitations are also spotted in the sequence, adding to some needed levity to a frightening scenario. It’s such a blitzkrieg moment, packing a punch the rest of the movie could never possibly live up to. However, Mitchell tries, using the brutal commencement as way to command attention, soon embarking on a weirdly sincere exploration of cultural history and the ties that bind.

“Massacre Mafia Style” isn’t a movie to defend in Cinema Court, but for those who enjoy pure directorial bravado, there’s no better example than Duke Mitchell. Arriving with a limited budget and untested actors, Mitchell oversees a miniature epic, using his own spiked attitude to guide the tone of the film, keeping Mimi front and center as he bats around rivals and asserts himself in mob hierarchy, with plans to use men with “guts, balls, and trust” to help erase the pushover nature of modern organized crime, which lost footing due to competition and sensitivity issues tied to the blockbuster release of “The Godfather” (a feature that inspired Mitchell and is detested by Mimi). “Massacre Mafia Style” doesn’t screw around, collecting stolen shots and personal favors to imagine Mimi’s world of self-reflection and guns-blazing recklessness, giving the effort a distinct approach and welcome Los Angeles aura.

Aggression is part of Mitchell’s plan of attack, with Mimi resorting to dismemberment to control a kidnapping situation, while leading Jolly in a string of confrontations that end in point-blank shootings. There’s even a crucifixion. Hoping to reclaim mob dominance, Mimi goes hog wild, with his antagonistic and racist ways (the Italians don’t exactly view black people as equals in the movie) resulting in a killing spree rooted in the preservation of heritage, finding Mimi lamenting the state of his people as his superiors go legit. Blood is spilled and assorted exploitation interests are stroked (Salerno basically appears topless during every scene she’s in), but there’s a haunted quality to Mitchell’s vivid performance that lends “Massacre Mafia Style” gravity, finding the character splitting time between powermad glee and mourning, with a curious time jump of 12 years contributing to the weight on Mimi’s shoulders, missing his family while lamenting the mistreatment of Italian women, left to envy Jolly and his close relationship with his beloved dog.

Despite the production’s scattershot nature, fighting limited coin in every scene, Mitchell captures a sense of life in “Massacre Mafia Style,” showcasing Italian traditions to give the picture authenticity that’s quite compelling. The wine flows, calls of “Salut!” are omnipresent, and the feature utilizes a ceremonial sharing of bread to help establish the balance of power. There’s texture here other efforts wouldn’t take time to study, allowing “Massacre Mafia Style” a sense of scope that eases the pain of Mitchell’s mistakes, including a coldly narrated introduction of mob leadership and absurdly stiff performances from friends and family. Technical challenges remain, but Mitchell gets by on sheer passion, treating the movie as the ultimate statement on the Sicilian way.

Massacre Mafia Style Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Subjected to blurry VHS releases and faded prints throughout the years, "Massacre Mafia Style" roars back with a hearty AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation that brings the movie to HD with clarity. A few scratches remain, but the overall appearance of the feature is fresh and crisp, with encouraging fine detail that captures costuming nuances, angry facial reactions, and the general turbulence of Mitchell's hairstyle. Textures are significant, while refreshed colors bring out bold reds for bloodshed and nightlife encounters, and skintones are natural. Delineation is largely consistent and open for inspection, only retrained by the limitations of the original cinematography. Grindhouse has taken tremendous care of the film for its next level of distribution, allowing fans and newcomers a proper viewing experience to study Mitchell's distinctive vision.

Massacre Mafia Style Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While limited to a 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, "Massacre Mafia Style" retains its intended punch, leading with sharp, blunt gunfire sound effects that keep violence deep. Dialogue exchanges are largely clean and true, keeping accents accessible and heated interplay within a comfortable range. Some damage is detected, but it's brief. Hiss is tamed to satisfaction. Music retains character, delivering support when necessary, but also taking the lead during performances and atmospheric moments, giving the visuals welcome life.

Massacre Mafia Style Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) presents an essay by David Szulkin.

Bonus Features:

• "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla" (74:19, SD) is a 1952 that introduced the world to the comedy team of Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo.

• Gallery features 34 images from the film.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:10, SD) is included.

• "An Impressionistic Tribute to Jimmy Durante" (37:05, SD) is a television special featuring Mitchell made up as the iconic star, sharing songs and thoughts with an audience.

• Dailies (6:31, HD) from the special are included.

Extras:

• "Like Father, Like Son" (43:33, HD) is more of a biographical overview of Duke Mitchell and his son, musician Jeffery Mitchell, who shares anecdotes and personal history about the stage and screen star. Also known as "Mr. Palm Springs," the elder Mitchell is revealed to be a charming but violent man who suffered through an ill-fated partnership with comedian Sammy Petrillo before striking out on his own in nightclubs around the country. Jeffrey chats up his own musical ambitions, working as a session guitarist before finding success with Suzi Quatro. Little BTS info is shared about the making of "Massacre Mafia Style," which is disappointing, but there's an appreciation of Duke Mitchell's life presented here that's just as fascinating.

• Interviews (10:11, HD) with producer Matt Cimber and friend Jim Lobianco delve into the creative drive that brought "Massacre Mafia Style" to life, with specific concentration on its theatrical release and promotion.

• Home Movies (52:00, HD) capture Mitchell between gigs, spending time on the water and with his family. Much of the footage was used as background media during Mitchell's stage show.

• Radio Spots (3:00) deliver five promotional efforts for "Like Father, Like Son" and "Massacre Mafia Style," with one audience reaction clip hilarious, finding exiting patrons dismissive of the movie.

• Gallery includes Production Stills and Materials (61 images), including a bank check made out to the MPAA to pay rating fees, Color Stills (61 images), Theatrical (34 images), Home Video (32 images), and Duke Mitchell (85 images).

• A Duke Mitchell filmography is offered.

• A Cara Salerno filmography is presented as well, featuring a nude gallery (22 images).

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:18, HD) is included.

Massacre Mafia Style Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mimi and Jolly find their way into the pornography business, and organize a bombing and the hanging of an enemy via meat hook to maintain their declaration of power. "You're in, or in the way" is a line repeated throughout the effort, and Mitchell means it, ordering up a smorgasbord of violence that preserves the severity of threats, even when the film slips into silliness. "Massacre Mafia Style" is specific entertainment for a specific audience, and whatever it lacks in polish, it makes up for it in busted ambition, delivering pure, uncut Duke Mitchell to the masses.