I’ve never understood the attraction to actor Joe
Dallesandro. I’ve yet to see a film he’s been in where I can actually say he
was a good actor. For the most part he always seems angry, scowling and in
general plays characters I could care less about. In looking over his list of
credits at imdb. com I found nothing that stood out that I could recommend to
anyone as a great vehicle for him. Knowing this ahead of time I went into
watching this movie hoping to be proven wrong.
THE CLIMBER is a reference to Dallesandro’s character Aldo,
a low level criminal working in a warehouse and as a transporter for a gangster
in Italy. Aldo dreams of bigger things and when he makes a mistake in crossing
the boss an attempt is made on his life. He moves and begins again with several
friends, creating a gang for himself in a nearby town but under the radar of
his old boss.
As I sit here writing much of what I watched is lost to me
now. It left that little of an impression on me. The standard fare is here with
gangsters threatening people, a few shootouts and attempts made on the lives of
competitors. But nothing tremendous is on hand here. In fact most of it moves
along fairly slow and the number of unbelievable moments that should
demonstrate the ruthlessness of all these gangsters is never quite there.
I’ve been fortunate to have access and viewed several crime
dramas from Italian cinema and this one left me wanting more. It offered little
in the form of entertainment and made me think that my opinion of Dallesandro
as an actor is more justified than ever. If you’re a fan then by all means add
this to your collection and continue to sing his praises. If you’re wanting to
know what Italian crime films from the time period are like then don’t start
with this one. And for the average viewer there is far more out there worth
your time.
Arrow Video is releasing this film and I can’t fault them on
anything here, they continue to present any film they handle with love and
care. The presentation is brand new 4K restoration of the film from the
original negative. Extras include LITTLE JOE’S ADVENTURES IN EUROPE a brand new
interview with Joe Dallesandro on his numerous European film appearances during
the 1970s and early 1980s, a reversible sleeve with original and newly
commissioned artwork by Chris Malbon and with the first pressing only a booklet
featuring new writing on the film by Roberto Curti, author of ITALIAN CRIME
FILMOGRAPHY 1968-1980.
Click here to order.
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