Beast with a Gun

Original title: La belva col mitra

1977
Unrated
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

1.3K

YOUR RATING

Helmut Berger and Marisa Mell in Beast with a Gun (1977)

Action Crime Drama Thriller

In Italy, escaped sadistic killer Nanni Vitali and his henchmen terrorize the populace and seek revenge against those responsible for Vitali's incarceration.In Italy, escaped sadistic killer Nanni Vitali and his henchmen terrorize the populace and seek revenge against those responsible for Vitali's incarceration.In Italy, escaped sadistic killer Nanni Vitali and his henchmen terrorize the populace and seek revenge against those responsible for Vitali's incarceration.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

1.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
This movie got a whole new life as part of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown. The character of Melanie (Bridget Fonda) is watching television, and Samuel L. Jackson's Ordell Robie, when the main star is on the screen, walking forward (after having attacked the girl), Robie says, "Rutger Hauer?" and Melanie corrects him, "Helmut Berger." Scenes shown include Berger slapping the ingenue, and he and his men getting gas. The soundtrack is also heard very loudly.

Goofs
During the opening chase sequence, the cop's automatic pistol jams with the slide in the backwards position and an empty shell casing lodged in the ejection port, rendering the weapon unable to fire until that is fixed. Yet a shot is heard, and the driver of the Mercedes is seen being hit in the face.

Quotes
Nanni Vitali: Have a drink twat!

Connections
Featured in Jackie Brown (1997)

Soundtracks
Fly Away
Written by Lenny Lars & Matthew Ender

User reviews36

Review

Featured review

5/10

Beast with a Gun Vs. Mad Dog

I'm not sure which title I like more but this film does indeed have a certain special charm to it. No, it is not outstanding or anything superlative like that, but it is rather enjoyable to watch as a crook/killer gets out of prison to wreak havoc and revenge on those responsible for putting him there in the first place. Helmut Berger is the best thing about this film as he plays a violent, sadistic psychopath with the best of them. He has no heart whatsoever and is quite something to see. His scenes in the abandoned warehouse and with newly acquired "moll" the beautiful Marisa Mell particularly stand out. Muscle-bound Richard Harrison, who you might remember from some older sword and sandal movies, plays the cop out to protect himself and his family. Like another reviewer noted, the script and plot have some obvious problems, but the pace and delivery more than offset those inadequacies. If you want some good, old-fashioned Italiam crime atmosphere then Mad Dog or Beast with a Gun is for you.