The Violent Four

1968

1h 38m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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Drama

Crime

A detective is assigned to head a manhunt for four violent bank robbers.

Directors

Carlo Lizzani

Writers

Carlo Lizzani(screenplay by)

Carlo Lizzani(story by)

Massimo De Rita(screenplay by)

Stars

Gian Maria Volonté

Don Backy

Tomas Milian

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Top cast

Piero Cavallero

Sante Notarnicola

Commissioner Basevi

Donato 'Tuccio' Lopez

Prostitute

Anna

Piva

Adriano Rovoletto 'Bartolini'

Tuccio's Mother

The Protector

Piero's Secretary

Moglie di Piero

Policeman

Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia

Gianni Pulone

Emy Rossi Scotti

Agostina Belli

Girl hostage (uncredited)

Directors

Carlo Lizzani

Writers

Carlo Lizzani(screenplay by)

Carlo Lizzani(story by)

Massimo De Rita(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

It’s like an LP, this feature. On one side we see an almost documentary style of drama depicting a Milan in the throes of a (real) crime wave. On the other, we are introduced to some pretty successful perpetrators of those crimes who are robbing banks of millions of lire with impunity. The opening sequences in the company of their commissioner (Thomas Milian) are a little dry, but after about twenty minutes or so when we are introduced to the suave bandit-in-chief “Piero” (Gian Maria Volonté) who’s gang adopt the simplest of facial disguises, avoid bloodshed when possible, and raid merrily - usually after carefully casing the banks in advance and ensuring there is some suitable diversion at the other end of town to distract the carabinieri. Of course, the easier it seems, the more ambitious they get and after recruiting the enthusiastic young “Tuccio” (Ray Lovelock) as their driver they embark on their biggest job yet. When that doesn’t quite go to plan, the authorities are soon on their tails and things in this city turn distinctly perilous for policeman, robber and pedestrian alike as we embark on quite an epic car chase. Along the way we are treated to a lively score, some contemporary Italian artistry and a degree of confidence from a Volonté who combines menace, dark comedy and suaveness really quite effectively. After the freneticism of the second half of the film I felt that the denouement, though a little claustrophobic at times, did disappoint. It didn’t dare have the courage of it’s convictions which I thought a bit of a shame as the Fiats started to pile up all over the place. Once it gets into it’s stride, this film doesn’t hang about and it presents us with a daring brutality, Italian style, that is definitely different from your average plan, heist, chase, caper.

Geronimo196717 Aug, 2025