Watch Johnny Cool
- Approved
- 1963
- 1 hr 43 min
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6.4 (1,144)
Johnny Cool is a 1963 American crime film directed by William Asher and starring Henry Silva, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Richard Anderson. The film follows the story of a former criminal, Johnny Colini (Henry Silva), who is released from prison with the help of his former boss, a Sicilian kingpin, and now wants to take revenge against the man who framed him, Mr. Vettori (Richard Anderson).
The movie begins with a narration by Johnny Cool, telling his backstory and how he ended up in prison. Johnny Colini, an Italian-American, used to be a hitman for the Mafia until he was caught, tried, and convicted for murder. While in prison, he meets Salvatore Giordano, a powerful Sicilian Mafia boss who takes him under his wing and teaches him the ways of the Mafia.
After serving his sentence, Johnny Cool is released from prison, and he seeks out Giordano to thank him for his help. Giordano tells Johnny that he needs to stay out of trouble, but Johnny has other plans. He wants revenge against Mr. Vettori, the man who set him up and testified against him in court.
Along the way, Johnny falls in love with a woman named Darien (Elizabeth Montgomery) and tries to start a new life. However, his plans are jeopardized when he is hired by a corrupt businessman to assassinate a union leader. Johnny refuses to carry out the hit and becomes a target himself.
As Johnny goes deeper into his quest for revenge, he must choose between his new life and his old one. He also discovers that the people he thought were his allies might not be as trustworthy as he thought.
The film has a great cast, and Henry Silva is excellent in the lead role. He brings a brooding intensity to the character, making Johnny Cool a complex and intriguing anti-hero. Elizabeth Montgomery is also great as Darien, adding a touch of romance to the film. Richard Anderson is suitably villainous as Mr. Vettori, the man who Johnny seeks to take down.
The movie features some great action scenes, especially in the climactic sequence where Johnny and his crew go up against Mr. Vettori and his henchmen. The film also boasts a fantastic score by Billy May, giving the movie a cool and stylish vibe.
Overall, Johnny Cool is a solid crime movie that is worth watching for fans of the genre. It has all the ingredients of a classic tale of revenge, with a great cast and some impressive action scenes. While it might not be as well-known as some of the other crime movies of the era, it definitely holds its own and deserves more recognition.