When talking about the broader movie-experience spectrum, there's one thing that annoys me endlessly, and that is the nonchalant but total disregarding of vital plot spoilers. "The Heroin Busters" is the ideal film to use as an example. Literally every plot summary or synopsis you read, whether in critics' reviews or even on the back of the DVD-cover, blatantly describes how Fabio Testi's character is an undercover narc working to expose the role of Rome in the international drug-trafficking networks. But hey, newsflash: ... you are not supposed to know this; - or at least not until minimally half an hour into the film!
Testi is awesome and, moreover, very credible as the streetwise and arrogant smuggler/pusher, and his first - and ingeniously staged - meeting with the Interpol officer (David Hemmings) should have come as a complete surprise to the viewer, rather than as a confirmation of the plot synopsis. Therefore, the ancient rule of cinema is still as valid as ever: read as many reviews as you want after the film but go into the viewing as uninformed as possible.
Purely speaking in terms of Poliziotesschi-entertainment, "The Heroin Busters" doesn't nearly rank among my favorites. It's not the best work of neither director Castellari, neither of lead hero Fabio Testi. Personally, I think this is due to the themes of drug dealing and smuggling being less exhilarating and impactful than the usual Poliziotesschi subjects (hijackings, bank robberies gone wrong, gang wars, violence for kicks, ...). Still, though, it remains an enjoyable and often very imaginative action/thriller with a variety of intriguing characters, splendid stunt work, a dazzling Goblin soundtrack, and a fabulous cast existing of stars and underrated Italian character actors. David Hemming's starring alone already makes this is a must-see film, in fact.
Testi is awesome and, moreover, very credible as the streetwise and arrogant smuggler/pusher, and his first - and ingeniously staged - meeting with the Interpol officer (David Hemmings) should have come as a complete surprise to the viewer, rather than as a confirmation of the plot synopsis. Therefore, the ancient rule of cinema is still as valid as ever: read as many reviews as you want after the film but go into the viewing as uninformed as possible.
Purely speaking in terms of Poliziotesschi-entertainment, "The Heroin Busters" doesn't nearly rank among my favorites. It's not the best work of neither director Castellari, neither of lead hero Fabio Testi. Personally, I think this is due to the themes of drug dealing and smuggling being less exhilarating and impactful than the usual Poliziotesschi subjects (hijackings, bank robberies gone wrong, gang wars, violence for kicks, ...). Still, though, it remains an enjoyable and often very imaginative action/thriller with a variety of intriguing characters, splendid stunt work, a dazzling Goblin soundtrack, and a fabulous cast existing of stars and underrated Italian character actors. David Hemming's starring alone already makes this is a must-see film, in fact.