Fernando Di Leo's "Milano Calibro 9" is an outstanding masterpiece of Italian crime cinema. It is also one of the most astonishing crime stories ever told. The film is part of a trilogy by Di Leo called "Milieu," which includes "La Mala Ordina" (aka. "Manhunt") and "Il Boss."
The first film in this trilogy, "La Mala Ordina," was followed by "Il Boss," both of which are excellent films that depict organized crime realistically. While "Manhunt" may be considered slightly inferior to "Milano Calibro 9," it stands out as an absolute all-time highlight of crime cinema.
"Milano Calibro 9" is considered the best of the three films, a film that is astonishing in all aspects. It has a clever plot that includes a compelling storyline, clever twists, and social criticism. The performances are outstanding, with Gastone Moschin delivering a brilliant performance as Ugo Piazza, a tough ex-convict who is released from prison after a long sentence.
Immediately after his release, Ugo is approached by members of the Milan mob, led by Rocco (Mario Adorf), who suspect him of being responsible for the disappearance of a large sum of money belonging to their boss, an American (Lionel Stander) who controls the organized crime in Milan.
The film is simply stunning from beginning to end, enhanced by the brilliant score, which is a collaboration between Luis Enríquez Bacalov and the Italian progressive rock band Osanna. This score is a masterpiece, and it perfectly complements the film's themes of organized crime, social criticism, and brutal violence.
Ugo Piazza is considered one of the most charismatic gangster characters ever in cinema, and Gastone Moschin was the perfect choice for the role. The rest of the cast is also great, with Mario Adorf as the ferocious gangster Rocco and Lionel Stander as the American Mafia Don.
The two cop characters in the film are played by Luigi Pistilli and Frank Wolff, who committed suicide before the film was released. Barbara Bouchet is astonishing and incredibly sexy in the role of Ugo Piazza's stripper girlfriend. She is both a stunning beauty and an excellent actress, making her one of the most memorable roles in the film.
This is also a political film, and director Di Leo embedded a lot of social criticism about topics like corruption. The film has everything one can possibly desire in cinema, including an ingenious opening scene that is more memorable than most films get in two hours.
"Milano Calibro 9" is an absolute masterpiece in all regards and, without exaggeration, one of the greatest crime movies ever made. It is an outstanding film that delivers an astonishingly realistic mood of the underworld like hardly another. It has an intriguing storyline with interesting characters, raw atmosphere, suspense, and breathtaking action, social criticism, and brutal violence. The film is simply stunning from beginning to end, and it is even intensified by the brilliant score.