Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Street Law Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 26, 2024

Enzo G. Castellari's "Street Law" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Enzo G. Castellari; new program with composers Guido and Maurizio De Angelis; new program with stunt artist Massimo Vanni; original trailer; and more. In English and Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Given everything that has happened in Italy in the last couple of years, it is difficult not to conclude that Street Law remains Enzo G. Castellari’s most relevant film. This is exactly the reason why in a new program that is included on this release Franco Nero also points out that only the identities of the criminals have changed -- they used to be rogue Italians, while in borderless Italy virtually all are ‘imports’. And it is just as bad in countries that back in the ‘70s did not have the reputation that Italy had. Look at Sweden, Holland, and even Finland, all once ‘quiet’ countries whose way of life has been irreversibly altered. Nero might be speaking out a bit late, but he is telling the truth.

On a bright and sunny day in Genoa, middle-aged engineer Carlo Antonelli (Nero) enters a large Post Office building and moments later witnesses a very intense robbery that leaves multiple people dead. When a brave guard activates the security system, Carlo is taken hostage by the three heavily armed robbers (Nazzareno Zamperla, Romano Puppo, and Massimo Vanni) and together they manage to reach the city’s giant docks. Here, after the robbers exchange their car, Carlo is brutally beaten and left to die in a puddle of mud.

When Carlo recovers, he visits the Police Department and describes the robbers to a senior detective and his assistants, who attempt to identify them while digging deep into their database. However, their efforts do not produce any credible matches, and Carlo’s case is promptly closed.

Still hurting and barely able to contain his anger that the authorities are unwilling to launch a larger investigation, and much to the annoyance of his girlfriend, Barbara (Barbara Bach), Carlo vows to identify the robbers on his own. Shortly after, he gets the attention of a small-time crook named Tommy (Giancarlo Prete) who agrees to put him in touch with the men he is looking for in exchange for a camera film that documents his most recent shady dealings. Initially, Tommy attempts to pull a fast one on Carlo, which reveals that he actually does not know the robbers, but when he learns how they and the police have treated him the two become partners. Then they start digging, and the deeper they go, the more convinced Carlo becomes that someone is protecting the robbers.

In the new program that is mentioned at the top of this article, Nero confirms that when he agreed to do Street Law with Castellari the two were unaware that Michael Winner and Charlie Bronson were already working on Death Wish. Why is this important? Because both films were completed in 1974, and not only do they promote the exact same form of vigilante justice, but their raw macho style is practically identical.

The port city of Genoa provides some truly spectacular locations for the mayhem that ensues after the robbers escape the Post Office building, but Castellari and cinematographer Carlo Carlini deserve a lot of credit for utilizing them in very particular ways that actually strengthen its authenticity. For example, the long and wild car chase in the very beginning of the film rivals the legendary footage from Henri Verneuil’s thriller The Burglars, but it has a very different borderline documentary vibe. Then when later on Carlo begins clashing with various lowlifes in some of the city’s shadiest parts, once again the location footage is very measured and does not erode the film’s and no-nonsense attitude. (Exactly the opposite routinely occurs in many of Fernando Di Leo’s poliziotteschi films, where the locations are routinely just as great but the footage is shot and edited in ways that can leave the impression that plenty of the action has intensity levels that are flat-out unrealistic).

The film’s message will not appeal to everyone. However, under the circumstances that the film presents, finding a good excuse to turn the rage of Nero’s character against him is without a shadow of a doubt an extremely difficult task. Whenever crime is rampant and the people that society has elected to protect it no longer care, there will be individuals like Nero’s character that will seek to take justice in their own hands.

The retro music feels almost too groovy for the film. It's got some very cool bass parts and even a few harmonica solos that would have been perfect for a psychedelic thriller. The soundtrack was put together by old pros Guido and Maurizio De Angelis (Zorro).

Street Law Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 and granted a 1080p transfer, Street Law arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

In 2019, we reviewed this now out-of-print release of Street Law, which introduced a wonderful 2K restoration. The release was one of my favorites that year.

This release introduces the same 2K restoration for the UK market. Once again, it looked really, really good on my system. For example, all daylight and nighttime visuals have wonderful organic qualities, and while a few spots could have used minor encoding optimizations, I did not encounter any troubling anomalies. Image stability is outstanding. I like the color palette as well. It boasts wonderful healthy primaries and terrific ranges of supporting nuances. Unsurprisingly, the dynamic range of the visuals is either very good or excellent. The entire film looks healthy, too. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Street Law Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the Italian track.

The English track is the original track for Street Law. However, you need to keep in mind that it features post-production dubbing that occasionally introduces some obvious unevenness. This is how the dub was finalized, folks, so the unevenness is one hundred percent inherited. Dynamic intensity is very good, or at least for such a genre film, but again you should expect to encounter several abrupt spikes during the intense action footage.

Street Law Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Enzo's Law - in this new program, director Enzo G. Castellari explains how her fell in love with the American western, the of character he wanted to be a star in his films, his professional relationship with Franco Nero, and his collaboration with the famous actor on Street Law. Also, there are some very interesting comments about the music Castellari wanted in his film and his partnership with the famous Angelis Brothers (Guido and Maurizio). The program was produced by Eugenio Ercolani. In Italian, with English subtitles. (26 min).

• Oliver Onions - in this new program, the Angelis Brothers discuss their approach to film scoring, some of the legendary tunes/tracks they created (Sandokan), and the evolution of their career over the years. The program was produced by Eugenio Ercolani. In Italian, with English subtitles. (42 min).

• Street Stunts - in this new program, stunt artist Massimo Vanni discusses his professional relationship with Enzo G. Castellari, interactions with Franco Nero, and the work they did together, including on Street Law. Also, there are some interesting comments about the great French stunt master Remy Julienne, who worked on many of the cult European action films, like The Burglars and Shoot First, Die Later, and contributed to Street Law. The program was produced by Eugenio Ercolani. In Italian, with English subtitles. (15 min).

• Audio Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by critics Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth, and Nathaniel Thompson.

• U.S. Grindhouse Version - presented here is a shorter U.S. cut of the film. English Dolby Digital 2.0. (77 min).

• Sniff Around and Find Out - in this program, critic Mike Malloy discusses the style and personality of Street Law. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Trailer - an original trailer for Street Law. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• TV Spot - an original TV spot for Street Law. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Booklet - 8-page illustrated booklet featuring Francesco Massaccesi's essay "Action and Reaction: Thrills, People and Politics in Enzo G. Castellari's Street Law" as well as credits.

• Poster - see screenshots.

• Cover - reversible cover with original Italian poster art for Street Law.

Street Law Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am tempted to say that Enzo G. Castellari's Street Law is more effective than its famous American relative, Death Wish. It is certainly the more authentic film and as its star, Franco Nero, suggests it remains just as relevant as it was during the '70s. This release from 88 Films presents the recent, wonderful 2K restoration of Street Law, which Code Red introduced in America several years ago. It has a few terrific new programs as well. I particularly enjoyed the programs with Enzo G. Castellari and the Angelis Brothers. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.