Director Stelvio Massi’s Convoy Busters isn’t your typical Poliziotteschi. It has a vibe similar to the work of director Fernando di Leo. There’s a relaxed approach that doesn’t even waver and looks at things from a different perspective. Rather than di Leo’s criminal lifestyle films, Massi’s Convoy Busters gives us the life of a police detective.
Rome-based Police Inspector Francesco Olmi (Maurizio Merli) continues to fight crime in the manner he knows how. But after his latest case, he wants nothing more than to be transferred to anywhere but Rome. Politics, corruption, and inaction are the things that motivate this transfer. Olmi moves to the sleepy fishing town of Civitanova Marche. Though he quickly learns that this sleepy harbor town is filled with the kind of crime he tried to get away from. The only difference is that in Civitanova Marche, Merli is making the rules…
Part of the delight of Convoy Busters is just how much it plays around with the convention of the Poliziotteschi genre. Its adroit storytelling gives you the punchy action set pieces, the engulfed-in rage righteousness, and the fiendishly violent criminals in all their forms but does so in a slightly skewed narrative. Most characters in Poliziotteschi almost take a Christ-like martyrdom to take on the system. Here, he just leaves, rather than deal with it. Though it sets up an entirely different plot that one is not expecting, though you are.
Maurizio Merli is in top form here as Olmi. Like his counterpart, Franco Nero, Merli is a stoic mustachioed man of action and few words. Though Merli is definitely more loquacious than Nero in his Poliziotteschis. Though like Nero there is a brutality in his steely-eyed gaze that makes him the perfect hero to take on nefarious and super-smart smugglers.
Convoy Busters delivers in all respects. If you haven’t seen it and you’re a fan of Poliziotteschis buckle up. You’re in for a treat.
The Transfer
The 2K restoration from the negative like the other recent Cauldron Films release, Shanghai Joe, is a winner. The transfer is sharp with a healthy grain structure giving it the appearance of a beautiful 35mm archival print. There is nary a scratch or blemish through the entire runtime of the film. Bravo to Cauldron for producing such a wonderful transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
New extras
Maurizio Merli: A Lethal Hunter of Subtle Variation with tough-guy film expert Mike Malloy
My Father, the Cop: Interview with Maurizio Matteo Merli
The Massi Touch: Interview with Danilo Massi
Stelvio Massi video tribute by Danilo Massi
Stelvio Massi Image gallery
Commentary by Mike Malloy & Mike Martinez
Archival extras
Alternate “Convoy Busters” title sequence
A Star Was Born – A conversation with journalist Eolo Capacci
Bullet in the Closet – A conversation with director Ruggero Deodato
ER Prota – A conversation with director Enzo G Castellari
Merli on Merli – a conversation with actor Maurizio Matteo Merli
My Good Fella Maurizio – A conversation with actor Enio Girolami
Maurizio Merli image gallery
Trailer – Italian
Trailer – English
Note: The Limited Edition (1500 copies) includes the following additional added value content (which is not reviewable as it was not included in our review copy):
Poster (folded)
The all-new Commentary track by Mike Malloy & Mike Martinez opens with their bonafides/credentials and a discussion of the title’s literal translation of the title which isn’t Convoy Busters. Some of the details include how the stars of the Italian Westerns eventually transferred to the Italian Crime Films aka the Poliziticchi; the performance and career of Maurizio Merli – including a great discussion of the White Fang series; a larger discussion of the origins and films of the Euro Crime genre in Italy – including the various actors and directors that were giants of the genre; a larger discussion of director Stelvio Massi work here and in the Euro Crime Genre as a whole; a fascinating discussion about the dubbing industry in Italy; a discussion of the genre troupes that filled the Euro Crime – including a discussion of the Italian politics that were a result of the crime rates in Italy; the lack of Massi’s and Merli’s work not released theatrically in the US – but their rise on VHS; Merli’s son and a discussion of his rise as an actor in Italy; the various supporting player, stunt men, and crew; and much more. Malloy and Martinez do a wonderful job giving us a deeply researched informative track – including some great quotes from various sources – about not just Convoy Busters but the Euro Crime genre itself. They do go fast and loose with the various titles of the genre so get your note apps on the ready especially if you love this one.
My Father, the Cop: Interview with Maurizio Matteo Merli (20:22) – in this all-new interview with Maurizio Merli’s son (and actor) Maurizio Matteo Merli begins with his son recounting it was only after his father’s death did he realize how important and huge a star his father was. Some of the other details include his discovery of all the films his father did; his father’s struggle to break free from the stereotyped roles he had been given; his father’s genre work in the 1970s; the changes in the 1980s that made his work so difficult; how the “reactionary” films his father starred in at the time became troubling and how it shaped people’s view of his father; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
The Massi Touch: Interview with Danilo Massi (24:19) – in this all-new interview with Danilo Massi, son of director Stelvio Massi, begins with his realization of what his father did at the age of nine. Some of the details include learning what his father did in detail and his father appeared to him on set; how he began to work on his father’s films as a 2ndUnit AD – including some of what he learned; what he loves about his father’s work – including some great footage and stills included; his thoughts on Convoy Busters; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Stelvio Massi video tribute by Danilo Massi (8:24) – a personal video tribute for Stelvio Massi by his son Danilo that’s both a personal and professional tribute that begins with a moment of personal artifacts and dives into various photos, images, and video throughout the director’s career. In Italian with English subtitles.
Maurizio Merli: A Lethal Hunter of Subtle Variation with tough-guy film expert Mike Malloy (29:00) – in this all-new interview begins with Malloy discussing Merli’s first big hit Violent Rome which caused Merli to appear in the same role or variations on that role working with Umberto Lenzi. Some of the details include detailed discussions on Merli’s later Euro Crime work and detailed discussion of; Highway Racer in 1977, Seagulls Fly Low in 1978, Fearless Fuzz in 1978, Convoy Busters in 1978, Covert Action in 1978, The Iron Commissioner in 1978, From Corleone to Brooklyn in 1979, Hunted City in 1979, The Rebel in 1980, Vultures over the City in 1980, and finally the 1980s where he made brief appearances in various lesser works. Malloy’s work here is a compliment to the commentary track he does with Martinez giving us much more on the various titles only mentioned in the track.
Stelvio Massi Image gallery (5:41) – an Image Gallery featuring production and candid moments with director Massi throughout his career. The 68 images play over the score by Stelvio Cipriani. One can pause the images but cannot navigate through the remote.
Archival extras
A Star Was Born – A conversation with journalist Eolo Capacci (1602) – in this archival interview with Journalist Eolo Capacci he discusses his friendship that bore out of being neighbors. Capacci discusses his friendship back when he was a manager at an Agency and Merli was a struggling stage actor, the work he eventually got, and much more. In Italian with English Subtitles.
Bullet in the Closet – A conversation with director Ruggero Deodato (6:27) – in this archival interview the director of Cannibal Holocaust discusses working with Merli and knowing the actor both professionally and personally. In Italian with English subtitles.
ER Prota – A conversation with director Enzo G Castellari (22:20) – in this archival interview with the director of Inglorious Bastards opens with the first time he met the star. Some of the details include how Merli started as a PA; how Merli’s passion for film ingratiated him to Castellari and his crew of friends; how Enzo’s father cast him in various supporting roles; how joyfully Merli take any role including some dangerous ones to get the parts; eventually working with Merli as an actor; the rivalry between Franco Nero and Merli, and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Merli on Merli – a conversation with actor Maurizio Matteo Merli (20:26) – in this archival interview the actor’s son begins with a discussion about being a “dad’s boy”. Some of the other details include him being a fan of his father; wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps; his love of genre films because of his father; his father’s work ethic; his father’s favorite films, Violent Rome, Highway Racer, and The Rebel; the rivalry between his father and Franco Nero – giving a very interesting comp and his perspective on the matter; his work with director Massi; his personal time with his father; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
My Good Fella Maurizio – A conversation with actor Enio Girolami (15:54) – in this archival interview the actor discusses his friendship with Maurizio Merli. Some of the other details include a hilarious joke played on Merli when they were kids; the healthy fun rivalry they had as actors; how he became an advisor of sorts to Merli – basically to keep him out of trouble; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Alternate “Convoy Busters” title sequence (0:59) – the credits start at a different point rather than in the beginning as it does in the Italian version.
Trailer – English (4:01) – in English
Trailer – Italian (3:50) – in Italian with English Subtitles
Maurizio Merli image gallery (2:42) – The image gallery is accompanied by the score by Stelvio Cipriani featuring 32 image pulls from the film, production stills, and more featuring Merli. One can pause the images but cannot navigate through the remote.
The Final Thought
Convoy Busters is Poliziotteschi at its finest. Cauldron Films has given it a worthy Blu-Ray edition overstuffed with special features and a great transfer. Highest Recommendations!!!
Convoy Busters with its unexpected twists and turns gives us one of the best Italian Crime Thrillers of the 1970s. Cauldron Films has given this Blu-Ray is a great transfer and extras.
The Film
Director Stelvio Massi’s Convoy Busters isn’t your typical Poliziotteschi. It has a vibe similar to the work of director Fernando di Leo. There’s a relaxed approach that doesn’t even waver and looks at things from a different perspective. Rather than di Leo’s criminal lifestyle films, Massi’s Convoy Busters gives us the life of a police detective.
Rome-based Police Inspector Francesco Olmi (Maurizio Merli) continues to fight crime in the manner he knows how. But after his latest case, he wants nothing more than to be transferred to anywhere but Rome. Politics, corruption, and inaction are the things that motivate this transfer. Olmi moves to the sleepy fishing town of Civitanova Marche. Though he quickly learns that this sleepy harbor town is filled with the kind of crime he tried to get away from. The only difference is that in Civitanova Marche, Merli is making the rules…
Part of the delight of Convoy Busters is just how much it plays around with the convention of the Poliziotteschi genre. Its adroit storytelling gives you the punchy action set pieces, the engulfed-in rage righteousness, and the fiendishly violent criminals in all their forms but does so in a slightly skewed narrative. Most characters in Poliziotteschi almost take a Christ-like martyrdom to take on the system. Here, he just leaves, rather than deal with it. Though it sets up an entirely different plot that one is not expecting, though you are.
Maurizio Merli is in top form here as Olmi. Like his counterpart, Franco Nero, Merli is a stoic mustachioed man of action and few words. Though Merli is definitely more loquacious than Nero in his Poliziotteschis. Though like Nero there is a brutality in his steely-eyed gaze that makes him the perfect hero to take on nefarious and super-smart smugglers.
Convoy Busters delivers in all respects. If you haven’t seen it and you’re a fan of Poliziotteschis buckle up. You’re in for a treat.
The Transfer
The 2K restoration from the negative like the other recent Cauldron Films release, Shanghai Joe, is a winner. The transfer is sharp with a healthy grain structure giving it the appearance of a beautiful 35mm archival print. There is nary a scratch or blemish through the entire runtime of the film. Bravo to Cauldron for producing such a wonderful transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
New extras
Archival extras
Note: The Limited Edition (1500 copies) includes the following additional added value content (which is not reviewable as it was not included in our review copy):
The all-new Commentary track by Mike Malloy & Mike Martinez opens with their bonafides/credentials and a discussion of the title’s literal translation of the title which isn’t Convoy Busters. Some of the details include how the stars of the Italian Westerns eventually transferred to the Italian Crime Films aka the Poliziticchi; the performance and career of Maurizio Merli – including a great discussion of the White Fang series; a larger discussion of the origins and films of the Euro Crime genre in Italy – including the various actors and directors that were giants of the genre; a larger discussion of director Stelvio Massi work here and in the Euro Crime Genre as a whole; a fascinating discussion about the dubbing industry in Italy; a discussion of the genre troupes that filled the Euro Crime – including a discussion of the Italian politics that were a result of the crime rates in Italy; the lack of Massi’s and Merli’s work not released theatrically in the US – but their rise on VHS; Merli’s son and a discussion of his rise as an actor in Italy; the various supporting player, stunt men, and crew; and much more. Malloy and Martinez do a wonderful job giving us a deeply researched informative track – including some great quotes from various sources – about not just Convoy Busters but the Euro Crime genre itself. They do go fast and loose with the various titles of the genre so get your note apps on the ready especially if you love this one.
My Father, the Cop: Interview with Maurizio Matteo Merli (20:22) – in this all-new interview with Maurizio Merli’s son (and actor) Maurizio Matteo Merli begins with his son recounting it was only after his father’s death did he realize how important and huge a star his father was. Some of the other details include his discovery of all the films his father did; his father’s struggle to break free from the stereotyped roles he had been given; his father’s genre work in the 1970s; the changes in the 1980s that made his work so difficult; how the “reactionary” films his father starred in at the time became troubling and how it shaped people’s view of his father; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
The Massi Touch: Interview with Danilo Massi (24:19) – in this all-new interview with Danilo Massi, son of director Stelvio Massi, begins with his realization of what his father did at the age of nine. Some of the details include learning what his father did in detail and his father appeared to him on set; how he began to work on his father’s films as a 2ndUnit AD – including some of what he learned; what he loves about his father’s work – including some great footage and stills included; his thoughts on Convoy Busters; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Stelvio Massi video tribute by Danilo Massi (8:24) – a personal video tribute for Stelvio Massi by his son Danilo that’s both a personal and professional tribute that begins with a moment of personal artifacts and dives into various photos, images, and video throughout the director’s career. In Italian with English subtitles.
Maurizio Merli: A Lethal Hunter of Subtle Variation with tough-guy film expert Mike Malloy (29:00) – in this all-new interview begins with Malloy discussing Merli’s first big hit Violent Rome which caused Merli to appear in the same role or variations on that role working with Umberto Lenzi. Some of the details include detailed discussions on Merli’s later Euro Crime work and detailed discussion of; Highway Racer in 1977, Seagulls Fly Low in 1978, Fearless Fuzz in 1978, Convoy Busters in 1978, Covert Action in 1978, The Iron Commissioner in 1978, From Corleone to Brooklyn in 1979, Hunted City in 1979, The Rebel in 1980, Vultures over the City in 1980, and finally the 1980s where he made brief appearances in various lesser works. Malloy’s work here is a compliment to the commentary track he does with Martinez giving us much more on the various titles only mentioned in the track.
Stelvio Massi Image gallery (5:41) – an Image Gallery featuring production and candid moments with director Massi throughout his career. The 68 images play over the score by Stelvio Cipriani. One can pause the images but cannot navigate through the remote.
Archival extras
A Star Was Born – A conversation with journalist Eolo Capacci (1602) – in this archival interview with Journalist Eolo Capacci he discusses his friendship that bore out of being neighbors. Capacci discusses his friendship back when he was a manager at an Agency and Merli was a struggling stage actor, the work he eventually got, and much more. In Italian with English Subtitles.
Bullet in the Closet – A conversation with director Ruggero Deodato (6:27) – in this archival interview the director of Cannibal Holocaust discusses working with Merli and knowing the actor both professionally and personally. In Italian with English subtitles.
ER Prota – A conversation with director Enzo G Castellari (22:20) – in this archival interview with the director of Inglorious Bastards opens with the first time he met the star. Some of the details include how Merli started as a PA; how Merli’s passion for film ingratiated him to Castellari and his crew of friends; how Enzo’s father cast him in various supporting roles; how joyfully Merli take any role including some dangerous ones to get the parts; eventually working with Merli as an actor; the rivalry between Franco Nero and Merli, and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Merli on Merli – a conversation with actor Maurizio Matteo Merli (20:26) – in this archival interview the actor’s son begins with a discussion about being a “dad’s boy”. Some of the other details include him being a fan of his father; wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps; his love of genre films because of his father; his father’s work ethic; his father’s favorite films, Violent Rome, Highway Racer, and The Rebel; the rivalry between his father and Franco Nero – giving a very interesting comp and his perspective on the matter; his work with director Massi; his personal time with his father; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
My Good Fella Maurizio – A conversation with actor Enio Girolami (15:54) – in this archival interview the actor discusses his friendship with Maurizio Merli. Some of the other details include a hilarious joke played on Merli when they were kids; the healthy fun rivalry they had as actors; how he became an advisor of sorts to Merli – basically to keep him out of trouble; and much more. In Italian with English subtitles.
Alternate “Convoy Busters” title sequence (0:59) – the credits start at a different point rather than in the beginning as it does in the Italian version.
Trailer – English (4:01) – in English
Trailer – Italian (3:50) – in Italian with English Subtitles
Maurizio Merli image gallery (2:42) – The image gallery is accompanied by the score by Stelvio Cipriani featuring 32 image pulls from the film, production stills, and more featuring Merli. One can pause the images but cannot navigate through the remote.
The Final Thought
Convoy Busters is Poliziotteschi at its finest. Cauldron Films has given it a worthy Blu-Ray edition overstuffed with special features and a great transfer. Highest Recommendations!!!
Cauldron Films’ Blu-Ray edition of Convoy Busters is out May 16th
Share this:
Like this: