Darkling_Zeist
'Tony Arzenta' is a truly absorbing euro-crime from expert genre director Duccio 'Puzzle' Tessari. Not too sure why this cracking yarn doesn't get mentioned in the same bated breath as 'High Crime', 'Violent Professionals', or 'Violent Rome' as it is clearly on par with them, and in some specific area's it actually usurps them. Having the ice-cool, Gallic master of understatement, Alain Delon as your vengeful hit man is a casting godsend, and as our idiosyncratic, enigmatic arbiter of righteous retribution makes it nigh on impossible to take your eyes away from his blazing a balletic trail of brutal revenge deep into the swollen underbelly of the Cosa Nostra. I readily admit that the premise of a hit man wishing to break free from their nefarious clutches is a well-thumbed conceit; but when said coda is interpreted by the likes of Delon/Tessari and propelled by a lively, infectious score from the woefully underrated, Gianni Ferrio, any hint of formula is quashed beneath an electrifying torrent of cinematic savvy.
Milan
Alain Delon is great as usual in the genre that fits him like a glove. Tony Arzenta, a Euro-crime action thriller is directed in style and in a manner of a true craftsmen. This is the first Duccio Tessari film I had a chance to watch, and I was mostly drawn to it by knowing what Delon plays best and that is Le Samourai type character, a professional in his emotionless job. In this one he is attached and detached and drives the story to the conclusion that wouldn't stand a New York minute in Hollywood factory of dreams. That's why I love him and Franco/Italian crime films. Highly recommended to all the fans of this genre. You'll enjoy it, no doubt.
jotix100
This film was shown on cable the other day in its English version. It probably would have been more rewarding in the Italian original, but that's how it came, and that's the way we had to watch it. The condition of the DVD was not the best one could have hoped for. It shows the transfer didn't go too well as the colors show a faded look.The main interest for this viewer was to catch Alain Delon as a criminal from Sicily now operating in more sophisticated locales. When we first meet Tony Arzenta, he is celebrating his young son's birthday. Little prepares him, or the viewer, for what fate has in store for him. Suffice it to say, Tony proves to be a formidable rival as the powerful big guys get after him without much success. The action relies on special car effects, that while exciting, don't add much to the story. There is enough blood as Tony, who proves to be a man to be reckoned with, is always a step ahead of the criminals that want to kill him.Duccio Tessari, a veteran Italian director of lesser known films was in command of this story that feels like a travelogue. It was shot in a lot of locations. The story of Tony Arzenta's rise and fall has its moments, but it has a dated feeling. Alain Delon does what he can to create the tension that is required for his character. He has been more effective with his other movies. Veteran Richard Conte appears as the boss of one side of criminals. Carla Gravina has a small pivotal role.To be seen as a curiosity with a lot of car chases.
erica-68
Stylish, moody, innovative revenge-driven bloodbath. Also cheesy, of course, and sporadically very cheesy. It reminded me a lot of The Big Heat because it has the revenge plot set off by the exact same event, and the girl comes around to the good guy's side because of the same bad behavior by the bad guy. It's sad there's no Gloria Grahame but so fantastic that it's Alain Delon and not Glenn Ford. Could there be anyone as beautiful as Alain going around in a cashmere sweater and trenchcoat? Yet he's totally tough and icy cool. No one nowadays can touch him--though someone like Jude Law could try I guess. Hard for any girl to look good with him. The music was funky and perfect and there were several excellent car chases (and those aren't generally my cup of tea)--especially one willy nilly one in the woods. People also met their dooms in creative and bloody fashion, for instance in a junkyard cruncher. But beyond the cheese, the overall atmosphere was affecting and expertly pulled off. More creativity, excitement and freshness in that "forgotten" movie than most of what I've seen lately.
AD
