Watch Rabid Dogs

Rabid Dogs is a 1974 Italian crime thriller film, directed by Mario Bava and written by Bava, Galliano Juso, and Alberto Cittini. The movie stars Lea Lander, George Eastman, and Riccardo Cucciolla. The film opens with a group of criminals who have just robbed a bank and are trying to make their escape in a stolen car. However, things quickly go wrong when one of the gang members, the driver, is shot by the police while trying to get away. The rest of the criminals, led by a man named Doc (Cucciolla), are forced to ditch their car and take a group of hostages in a nearby vehicle.

The hostages include a beautiful young woman named Maria (Lander), her sick child, and a nervous man named Riccardo (Don Backy) who has a mysterious briefcase. As they try to flee the city, the group becomes increasingly tense and aggressive, with Doc using his psychotic and violent behavior to keep everyone in line.

As they drive deeper into the countryside, the criminals become increasingly desperate for food, water, and gasoline, while the hostages grow more and more terrified. The tension between the characters is heightened with shifting alliances, betrayals, and unexpected twists.

Director Mario Bava manages to create an atmosphere that is both claustrophobic and tense, with the road movie format adding to the sense of desperation and uncertainty. The film makes excellent use of its limited budget, with tight editing and a sparse, but effective, score that really adds to the suspense.

Lea Lander is excellent in her role as Maria, portraying a woman who is both strong and vulnerable, and forced into a situation beyond her control. Cucciolla is equally impressive as Doc, a terrifying and unpredictable villain who is both charismatic and utterly ruthless.

The film's title, Rabid Dogs, is a reference to the characters, who are driven to extremes by their desperate situation, and the fact that they are compared to animals. It is also a commentary on the bleak and violent nature of the world in which they live.

Overall, Rabid Dogs is a highly effective crime thriller that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The excellent direction and performances, combined with the tense and unpredictable storyline, make it a must-watch for fans of suspenseful cinema.

In conclusion, Rabid Dogs is a movie that perfectly captures the sense of desperation and tension that comes with a group of criminals and hostages on the run. With a fantastic cast, tight editing, and a sparse but effective score, it is a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre.

Rabid Dogs is a 1998 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.