Il Consigliori is a poliziotti film from 1973. Martin Balsam, a regular of these types of films plays Don Maggadino, a powerful San Francisco mob boss. His consigliori (lawyer) played by Tomas Milian, another familiar face in Italian films has just gotten out of jail. He is happy to see his Don once again but wants to go straight. Maggadino is not too happy but allows him to go his own way. Once this happens, Garafolo played by Francisco Rabal becomes unhappy and wants to branch off into his own family. Thus begins a war between the rival factions. The consigiliori cannot bear to see his don go down and joins him once again. This movie is fantastic. It has all the elements of an action movie plus many values of the Mafia system. There are great sit-down meetings in restaurants, numerous shoot-outs, two nice car chases, and a great story. The relationship between the always excellent Balsam and Milian in a more subdued role here is very special. There are great visuals of urban San Francisco and rural Sicily for the finale. Riz Ortolani provides a great soundtrack and Albert De Martino's (Blazing Magnum) direction provides a good flow. A must for Mob film and Italian action film fans.
Review of Counselor at Crime
