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Reviews
Il Commissario Ricciardi: La condanna del sangue (2021)
Deathly Visions.
I wasn't too sure at first, but after having had many happy hours of Walter Presents Policier offerings, I did a trawl due to a message from my service provider saying the Ch4 app was going offline temporarily soon. Anyways, down to it. Firstly, the production values: Spot on, they have an atmospheric quality, lighting, mood, perfect. Acting ditto, characterisations subtle and mannered, yes, our hero too, although something a bit Morse like, at times, staring, thinking.. his long suffering sergeant is a joy too, his poor wife in perpetual mourning. Our Inspector Ricciardi does remove his mac more than Columbo. His strange gift/curse is well woven into this finely crafted Italian crime drama, and the Italian women? Mamma Mia!
Svengali (1954)
Donald just couldn't help it.
Svengali, like the Curate's egg, yes it is an interesting rendition, an old story, pretty much still extant if all the stories out there are to be believed. Anyway, here we go, Hildegard Neff, luminous and totally perfect, the rest of the ensemble cast, pretty good, but in my humble opinion the great man, the doyen of the theatre and many.adventures on the silver screen was quite wooden one minute then possessed of the manucc overdone ham on the bone the next. I know this may be heresy to some, but his oeuvre has its brilliant highlights yes, but sometimes I feel his fellow thesis are a little over awed by his classic acting style.. Overall though spotting the other wee gems in there..Alfie Bass.. Harry Seacombe.. Jeremy Brett et al ..make this rewarding.
Little Red Monkey (1953)
Electricity in the air.
Quite a convoluted plot, but a tight little espionage thriller, natural performances from the cast, Russel Napier as the Superintendent, another police role. However the obvious sparks are evident between Richard Conte and Rhona Anderson.. yessiree bub! Typical 50s policier but with added Monkey.