Watch The Italian Connection

The Italian Connection from 1972 is a classic Italian crime thriller directed by Fernando Di Leo. The film stars Mario Adorf as small-time crook Rocco, Henry Silva as ruthless hitman Naglia, and Woody Strode as African-American underworld figure Frank. The movie opens with Rocco, a petty criminal, being hired by a mysterious man to transport some drugs from Italy to France. Rocco is excited about the prospect of making some quick cash and sets out to complete the job. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when the French police intercept Rocco's shipment, putting him in danger of being caught by both the French and Italian authorities.

To make matters worse, Rocco soon realizes that he has unwittingly been drawn into a complex and dangerous game of cat-and-mouse between two powerful criminal organizations. On one side is the Italian mafia, led by the ruthless Don Vito Tressoldi (played by Luciano Catenacci), who wants to recover the stolen drugs and punish Rocco for his incompetence. On the other side is the international drug cartel, who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their operations running smoothly, even if that means killing anyone who gets in their way.

Meanwhile, Naglia, a cold-blooded assassin working for the drug cartel, is dispatched to Italy to eliminate anyone who might try to interfere with the cartel's operations. Naglia is a terrifying figure, with his stone-cold demeanor and ruthless efficiency, and it quickly becomes clear that Rocco has no chance of outrunning him.

As Rocco tries to navigate this dangerous underworld, he finds an unexpected ally in the form of Frank, an African-American expatriate living in Italy. Frank is a powerful figure in the criminal underworld, with connections on both sides of the law, and he offers to help Rocco secure his freedom in exchange for a share of the profits. Together, Rocco and Frank embark on a daring plan to outsmart their enemies and escape with their lives.

Despite its age, The Italian Connection remains a tense and gripping thriller with a gritty, realistic tone that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The performances are excellent all around, with Adorf bringing a sympathetic vulnerability to his role as Rocco, Silva exuding menace and danger as Naglia, and Strode radiating cool, unflappable charisma as Frank. The direction is also top-notch, with Di Leo expertly capturing the seedy, violent world of organized crime and injecting the film with an unrelenting sense of dread and danger.

Overall, The Italian Connection is a must-see for fans of crime thrillers, Italian cinema, or just great filmmaking in general. Its combination of suspenseful storytelling, strong performances, and stylish direction make it a classic of the genre, and its impact can still be seen in countless films and TV shows that have followed in its wake. If you're looking for a gripping, intense, and well-crafted thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish, look no further than The Italian Connection.

The Italian Connection is a 1972 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.