Watch Shoot First, Die Later
- NR
- 1974
- 1 hr 34 min
-
6.6 (1,009)
Shoot First, Die Later is a gritty crime drama from 1974 that tells the story of a corrupt police officer named Domenico Malacarne, played by Luc Merenda. Malacarne is a ruthless cop who is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, including breaking the law and stepping on people's toes. The movie is set in Italy in the 1970s, and is full of classic 70s style action and suspense. It opens with a scene of Malacarne riding on a motorcycle, donning sunglasses, and listening to rock music. He comes across a group of hippies having a party and proceeds to arrest them all without cause.
This sets the stage for the rest of the film, which follows Malacarne as he becomes embroiled in a web of corruption, deceit, and criminal activity. He's involved in a car theft ring, blackmail, prostitution, and other illegal activities.
As the movie progresses, Malacarne begins to fall in love with a beautiful young woman named Barbara, played by Delia Boccardo. Barbara is a former prostitute who is trying to turn her life around, but Malacarne's involvement in the criminal underworld puts her in danger.
Richard Conte plays the part of Commissario Bonavia, a high-ranking police officer who is investigating Malacarne's illegal activities. Bonavia is on a mission to bring Malacarne to justice, but he soon realizes that the corrupt cop has a powerful influence over the city's criminal networks.
The film is filled with high-energy action scenes, car chases, shootouts, and gritty violence. It's a raw and uncompromising look at the seedy underbelly of Italian society, and it's not for the faint of heart.
What sets Shoot First, Die Later apart from other crime dramas of its time is its focus on character development. Malacarne is not portrayed as a one-dimensional villain. Instead, he's shown to be a flawed human being, with hopes, fears, and desires of his own. As such, the audience is able to sympathize with him to some extent, even as he engages in criminal behavior.
The film also explores themes of redemption and the struggle to do what's right in the face of overwhelming corruption. Malacarne is given opportunities to break free from his criminal associations, but he finds himself unable to escape the pull of his own ambition and the allure of easy money.
Shoot First, Die Later is a well-regarded example of Italian crime cinema from the 1970s. It's a film that stands the test of time, with its gritty realism and uncompromising portrayal of the criminal underworld. It's a must-see for fans of classic crime drama, and a great introduction to the genre for those who are new to it.
Shoot First, Die Later is a 1974 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.