Well, it was the same way in Italy. Many Italian films dealt with La Cosa Nostra (the mafia). Radiance Films have released a triple feature of films dealing with organized crime and featuring Franco Nero entitled Cosa Nostra.
Our Rating System
**** = Don't Miss It!
*** = Worth A Look.
** = An Ok way to spend an evening.
*= You haven't missed anything.
Case is Closed Forget About It (1971) An architect is imprisoned for a traffic violation. He witnessed first-hand the harsh reality of incarcerated life, with inhuman conditions, corrupt staff and the Power of the Mafia working inside. ***
How to Kill a Judge (1975) A popular film about a judge who is killed by the Mafia, seems to have foretold the death of a magistrate who orders the film's seizure. ***
Day of the Owl (1968) The new chief of the Carabinieri in a small Sicilian town is trying to solve a murder. But he runs into all kind of opposition with corrupt officials, silent witnesses and the local Mafia boss. ***
Franco Nero for many people will always be Django. I know that is how I remember him, every time I see him! But he is really good in almost everything he does and here is no exception. He is so believable. These films while not on a part with such classics we wrote about above, still offer a lot of entertainment, and it is good to see them receive a Blu-ray release.
All three films receive their own Blu-ray disc. They are presented in 1080p The Day of the Owl Italian cut is presented in 1.48:1 aspect ratio where the export is in 1.43:1. The Case is closed Forget About it is in 1.46:1 aspect ratio and How to Kill A judge is in 1.50:1 aspect ratio. As for the audio options. The Day of the Owl features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 for both English and Italian language tracks. The other two films feature LCPM 2.0 for the English and Italian Language tracks There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Each of these films have received a new 2k restoration. These restorations look crisp, clean and the colors are vibrant. Radiance Films have done such a great job with the restoration of these films. Now three films restored would be enough to add this to anyone's Blu-ray collection. But Radiance Films added some cool extras. Take a look at what is included.
* An interview with star Franco Nero, featuring archive footage of Damiano Damiani and Leonardo Sciascia discussing The Day of the Owl
* Archival interview with Franco Nero, writer Ugo Pirro and production manager Lucio Trentini discussing the making of The Day of the Owl
* Identity Crime-Sis: filmmaker and Italian crime cinema expert Mike Malloy discusses The Day of the Owl in the context of the formation of the Italian crime film genre
* Casting Cobb: A Tale of Two Continents: A video essay by filmmaker Howard S. Berger looking at actor Lee J. Cobb’s career transition from Hollywood to Italy and the archetypes he tended to play
* Archival interview with Claudia Cardinale from Belgian TV in which she discusses her long and storied career
* New interview with star Franco Nero discussing The Case is Closed: Forget It
* Archival documentary on the making of The Case is Closed: Forget It featuring actor Corrado Solari, assistant director Enrique Bergier and editor Antonio Siciliano
* Italy’s Cinematic Civil Conscience: An Examination of the Life and Works of Damiano Damiani: A visual essay on the career of Damiani Damiani by critic Rachael Nisbet
* New interview with star Franco Nero discussing How to Kill a Judge
* New interview with Alberto Pezzotta, author of Regia Damiano Damiani, who discusses Damiani’s contribution to the mafia and crime genres and the reception of his films in Italy
* Lessons in Violence: A new video essay on How to Kill a Judge by filmmaker David Cairns
* Original trailers for each film
* Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters for each film
* Limited edition 120-page book featuring new and archival writing on the films.
* Limited edition of 3000 copies (each for the UK and US), presented in a rigid box with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
Now as a very special note on the initial pressing of this release of The Day of the Owl was found to have a minute of dialogue missing. Radiance Films have put in place a replacement disc program so no worries about ordering this release. That will be taken care of.
With three entertaining feature films and the tons of bonus features, this release will keep the viewer entertained for quite a while. So, if you love Mafia films as much as I do. Treat yourself to this new epic radiance films Blu-ray release of Cosa Nostra. You can head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the best) Cosa Nostra Blu-ray set receives....
 Blu-ray Review ){kind=link}
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