Revolver (1973)

"A Cracking Oliver Reed Performance"

Following releases by Arrow, 88 Films and Fractured Visions, Eureka are also getting in on the poliziotteschi act by releasing Sergio Sollima's REVOLVER, which is out now on Blu-ray in a 1080p presentation from a 4K restoration.

Anna Cipriani (Agostina Belli), wife of prison warden Vito Cipriani (Oliver Reed) is kidnapped by a gang who demand the release of prisoner Milo Ruiz (Fabio Testi), but Milo seems to have no idea who would want to do this. Vito grudgingly arranges for Milo to escape but picks him up outside the prison and together the two form an unlikely team trying to puzzle out what's going on. Could it be to do with that politician we saw assassinated at the beginning in the film's only bit of unintentional hilarity?

Lacking the kind of outrageous stunts and car chases that make the best of the poliziotteschi genre so entertaining, Sergio Sollima's film goes for social commentary and the idea that even people like Vito are pawns in the machinations of people much higher up. Unfortunately this makes for a rather bland film. Thank goodness, then, for Oliver Reed, who delivers a fantastic, riveting performance that alone makes REVOLVER a must-see. He won't let you take his eyes off him when he's on-screen and more than makes up for the somewhat more wooden performances of his co-stars.

REVOLVER is presented on Eureka's Blu-ray in both Italian and English language versions. In terms of special features, the first thing worth pointing out is that there are two sets of subtitles, because the menu doesn't, so toggle around with your subtitle control to get the one you prefer. One is a direct transcription of the English language dub, the other is newly translated from the Italian. 

Other extras include the always listenable Stephen Thrower talking about both the film and the career of Sergio Sollima for just over twenty minutes, a new Kim Newman - Barry Forshaw commentary track, an archival commentary with Fabio Testi, trailers and radio spots. The first 2000 copies come with an 'O' card slipcase and a booklet with essays on the making of the film and Ennio Morricone's Eurocrime soundtracks.

Sergio Sollima's REVOLVER is out on Blu-ray from Eureka now