Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Tough Ones Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 29, 2019

Umberto Lenzi's "The Tough Ones" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Grindhouse Releasing. The supplemental features on the disc include an audio commentary by critic and filmmaker Mike Malloy; archival cast and crew interviews; numerous new and archival featurettes and documentaries; vintage promotional materials for the film; and a lot more. The release also arrives with a 10-page illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic Roberto Curti, as well as Franco Micalizzi’s original soundtrack for the film, placed on a separate CD. In English or Italian, with optional English subtitles. Region-Free.

Unleashed

The Tough Ones is one of two films Umberto Lenzi directed that feature Inspector Tanzi, the character that Maurizio Merli plays. The other film, The Cynic, the Rat and the Fist, came out a year after The Tough Ones but it is not, and has never been considered, a sequel. The Tough Ones is the better of the two for a couple of different reasons. In this film Tanzi is the undisputed star, and even though he is tracking down a creep with a reputation, he actually does not have a legit nemesis. As a result, he gets all the attention and his unbridled intensity becomes so overwhelming that it ends up giving the film its identity. The second film tells a more complex story and Tanzi shares the spotlight with two equally formidable characters that also bring a different type of intensity to it. However, the bulk of it is actually fueled by the huge egos that two of the leading actors could not keep in check while working together in front of Lenzi’s camera.

There is a plot in The Tough Ones but it is so fluid that it is perhaps best not to think of it as such. Here’s why: Lenzi’s goal with this film was not to tell a straightforward story in which a good cop goes on the streets and after a lot of hard and smart work takes out an exceptionally bad criminal, thus making him an admirable genre hero. Lenzi unleashes Tanzi and he goes hunting for Tony Parenzo (Ivan Rassimov), an import who is trying to set up an underground network, but he is just one of many baddies that are causing problems for the authorities. A nutty hunchback named Vincenzo Moretto (a superb Tomas Milian) who deals with stolen goods actually becomes a much bigger problem for Tanzi, and when he eventually corners him all hell breaks loose. Then there are the various petty thieves, pushers and rapists that accidentally cross paths with Tanzi and get a taste of his rage. In other words, what Lenzi focuses on is the bigger picture, which is a society that is eroded from within by all sorts of criminal elements, big and small, that the legal system cannot contain.

As Tanzi’s rage intensifies Lenzi also highlights the impact that politics has on the growing crisis. When a couple of young thieves are apprehended a carefully scripted story about social injustice is enough to convince a young and very naïve prosecutor (Maria Rosaria Omaggio) to send them right back on the streets, where days later they are killed while performing their old tricks. The Police Commissioner (Giampiero Albertini) also emerges as yet another corrupt high-ranking official who under the ‘right’ circumstances is willing to bend the law to help the ‘right’ people.

Tanzi’s unavoidable transformation into a vigilante is very similar to the ones that the main characters in Dirty Harry and Death Wish undergo. The only notable difference is the elevated intensity of the character, which is coupled with Lenzi’s obvious desire to spice up the film even more with edgy material of the type that the best poliziotteschi from the same period promoted.

A groovy soundtrack from Franco Micalizzi provides the film with what is now quite easy to consider a chic retro vibe. It blends jazz and psychedelica in a way that very much reminds of Piero Piccioni’s work (Puppet on a Chain).

*This upcoming Blu-ray release from Grindhouse Releasing features an exclusive new 4K restoration of the Unrated Director’s Cut of The Tough Ones, which is approximately 94 minutes long. Also included with it is a bonus CD with Micalizzi’s original soundtrack for the film, which has been fully remastered as well.

The Tough Ones Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Umberto Lenzi's The Tough Ones arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Grindhouse Releasing.

The release is sourced from a very solid exclusive new 4K restoration. The entire film has a clean organic appearance and depth, delineation and density are very pleasing. There are two sequences where I noticed some very light fading-like effects on the side of the frame -- and I think that some careful work might have been done to rebalance the visuals -- but the end result is lovely. (You can see an obvious example in screencapture #4). Fluidity is very good. The color grading is also convincing. There are solid and natural primaries with wonderful ranges of healthy nuances. A lot of the daylight footage in particular looks quite impressive. There are no large distracting debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, torn or warped frames to report. My score if 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Tough Ones Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (Mono) and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (Mono). Optional English subtitles are provided for the Italian track. Whent turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

I viewed the film with the original English track. This track features overdubbing -- a common practice for Italian genre films from the era -- and at times there are minor dynamic fluctuations which create the impression that there is light and unnatural flatness. Elsewhere some of the action has slightly elevated sound effects, especially when there are kicks and punches. All of these 'anomalies', however, is part of the original studio dub. There are no audio dropouts, pops, cracks, background hiss, or distortions to report.

The Tough Ones Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Mike Malloy, director of Eurocrime, discusses the key genre characteristics of The Tough Ones, its narrative construction, the film's interesting distribution history (with some additional information about the promotional materials that were made for it), the careers of various people that mated the film, etc.

• All Eyes on Lenzi: The Life and Times of the Italian Exploitation Titan - this documentary film focuses on the diverse body of work that Umberto Lenzi left as well as the most important qualities that defined his cinematic style. There is specific information about the look and energy of The Tough Ones. Included in it are clips from archival interviews with the late director, academic/critic Dr. Calum Waddell, academic Mikel Koven (University of Worcester), and critic John Martin, amongst others. In English and Italian, with imposed English subtitles where necessary. (85 min, 1080p).

• Music for Mayhem - in this filmed conversation, Umberto Lenzi and composer Franco Micalizzi discuss their professional relationship and recall their work on The Tough Ones. There is very interesting information about the harmonic nature of the soundtrack and the manner in which it enhances Tanzi's dangerous journey through his city. The conversation was filmed in Rome on July 26, 2010. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (34 min, 1080p).

• Citta' Frpntale - this archival documentary focuses on the role that various big Italian cities played and the manned in which they were shot in big classic and genre Italian films, including The Tough Ones. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (22 min, 480/60i).

• International Trailer - vintage international trailer for The Tough Ones. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).

• Home Video Trailer - vintage international trailer for The Tough Ones from the VHS era. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 480/60i).

• Sybil Danning's Action Videos Intro - a cool vintage promo piece from the VHS era for violent genre films promoted by actress Sybil Danning (They're Playing with Fire). In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 480/60i).

• Grindhouse Reel - a large collection of trailers for other titles from the Grindhouse Releasing catalog.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Umberto - in this featurette, Umberto Lenzi reveals some of the directors and their films that made him believe that one they he can direct as well. Also, there is plenty of detailed information about the conception of his most popular films, including The Tough Ones. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (56 min, 1080p).

• The Rebel Within - in this featurette, the late cult actor Tomas Milian discusses his childhood years in Havana, the enormous impact that stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando had on him while growing up, his decision to escape Cuba and become an actor, and the many violent and rebellious characters that he played over the years. In English, not subtitled. (89 min. 1080p).

• The Merli Connection - this archival documentary film pays tribute to the late Italian actor Maurizio Merli, who played the character of Inspector Tanzi in Umberto Lenzi's The Tough Ones and The Cynic, the Rat and the Fist, and appeared in many other, now considered cult classics, poliziotteschi. Included in it are clips from archival interviews with director Enzo G. Castellari (Street Law), director Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust), and director Marco Manetti (The 17th Floor), amongst others. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (45 min, 480/60i).

• Back Story - in this archival interview, Tomas Milian discusses the nasty character that he played in The Tough Ones, the hunchback Vincenzo Moretto. The interview was conducted in Maiami Beach on December 28, 2011. In English, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p).

• Beauty and the Beasts - in this new video interview, Maria Rosaria Omaggio, who plays a naive prosecutor and Inspector Tanzi's on-again, off-again girlfriend in The Tough Ones recalls how she entered the film business and recalls what it was like to work with Umberto Lenzi and the rest of the cast during the shooting process in 1976. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (30 min, 1080p).

• Corrado Armed to the Teeth - in this new video interview, Corrado Solari, who played the character of Albino, recalls his interactions with director Umberto Lenzi during the shooting of The Tough Ones, and comments on the film's style and energy. Also, there are some quite interesting comments about Tomas Milian's preparation techniques and his dependence on vodka and cocaine. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (46 min, 1080p).

• Brutal City - in this new video interview, Maria Rosaria Riuzzi, who plays the character of Paola, discusses her short time in the Italian film industry and the genre films she appeared in, including The Tough Ones. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (15 min, 1080p).

• The Rebel and the Bourgeois - in this new video interview, actor and costume designer Sandra Cardini recalls her initial encounter with Tomas Milian and explains how he helped her get a part in The Tough Ones, and comments the actor's working methods and private life. Also, there are some very intersecting comments about his obsession with Serpico and the type of dubbing he demanded because of this classic film. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (20 min, 1080p).

• Vodka Cigarettes and Burroughs - in this new video interview, screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti discusses his professional relationship with Umberto Lenzi and their collaboration on The Tough Ones. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (40 min, 1080p).

• The Godfather of Rhythm - in this new video interview, composer Franco Micalizzi discusses his musical background and work in the film industry as well as the original soundtrack that he created for The Tough Ones. There are also some very interesting comments about the transformation that soundtracks underwent as recording technology improved and how in the old days the music was almost always tailored to be an essential component of the genre films that Umberto Lenzi and other Italian directors were making. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (37 min, 1080p).

• Promotional Materials - a large collection of promotional materials for The Tough Ones. (1080p).
  
  1. Italy
  2. Spain
  3. Germany
  4. United States
  5. Miscellaneous

CD DISC/SOUNDTRACK

• Soundtrack - included with this release is a bonus CD with Franco Micalizzi's original soundtrack for The Tough Ones, which has been fully remastered by Eliot Kissileff. A total of 17 tracks. Licensed by Beat Recrords Company Srl.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Booklet - 10-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Roberto Curti's Essay "Roma a Mano Armata" and credits.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art for the U.S. reissue of the film, Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

• Bullet - a custom 30-caliber metal bullet pen. Limited to 2,500 units.

The Tough Ones Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This upcoming release of Umberto Lenzi's The Tough Ones is an absolute stunner. I have not seen another release of an Italian genre film that has undergone a complete makeover quite like it -- not only is the new 4K restoration very nice, but there are hours and hours of very high-quality supplemental features that could have easily been used for a couple of individual releases. I would have written that it is unmissable even if it had come only with The Rebel Within and The Rebel and the Bourgeois, both of which offer tremendous insight into the life and legacy of Tomas Milian. Needless to say, there is already a guaranteed spot for it on my Top Ten list for 2019. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.