By the end of the 60’s Charles Bronson had become a big star in Europe. Italian directors of the time on the other hand loved American actors. Città violenta (Violent City) is an Italian film with American / British cast and taking place mostly in the USA. Bronson plays an assassin betrayed by his boss. He longs for revenge, of course. Sergio Sollima’s action thriller has a terric start, opening with long car chase in the Carribeans and Ennio Morricone’s great theme music. The last third is weaker, thanks to overly complicated plotting between a mysterious woman and the former Blofeld Telly Savalas. Still, thanks to Bronson, Morricone and several terrific scenes Città violenta is a very enjoyable crime film.
The Beyond (Italy, 1981) – 4/5
Godfather of Gore Lucio Fulci’s legendary horror film. American woman inherits a hotel in Louisiana. Turns out the hotel is one of the seven gateways to hell. Violent deaths begin to appear, and finally all hell breaks loose and a zombie invasion begins. Every death is shown in great detail and length, as expected from the director. Most effects are not very convincing, but there’s no real need for it. This is classic Italian special effects work that is equally disgusting and admirable. Tarantulas slowly ripping a mans face into pieces is just one of the several memorable scenes. However, more important than the gore is the atmosphere. Composer Fabio Frizzi’s superb soundtrack is to be credited for this. The ending is also one of the best and most poetic in horror movie history. Poor acting and logical errors (David Warbeck’s revolver’s capasity appears to vary from scene to scene, and officials pay no attention to the long series of strange deaths) are a given in these movies.
but damn it was a poor film, I remember selling the rental vid for over £20, ahh the days when Ex-rentals could be sold for lots of cash 
