Dito nella piaga, Il (1969)

Director:

Tonino Ricci

Writers:

Piero Regnoli (writer)
Tonino Ricci (writer)

Release Date:

10 August 1969 (Italy)

Genre:

War | Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Chaplain | German Army | Firing Squad | Prisoner | German Tank

Cast

George Hilton	...	Michael Sheppard
Klaus Kinski	...	Cpl. Brian Haskins / Norman Carr
Ray Saunders	...	Pvt. John Grayson / Calvin Mallory
Betsy Bell	...	Daniela
Ugo Adinolfi	...	American soldier
Piero Mazzinghi	...	Priest
Enrico Pagano	...	Mascetti
Roberto Pagano	...	The Little Michele
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Giorgio De Giorgi	...	Captain
Angelo Susani	...	Sergeant

Also Known As:

Salt in the Wound
The Dirty Two
The Liberators (USA) (video title)
War Fever (UK)

Runtime:

Argentina:98 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian | English | German

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Montecarlo, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Company:

Cine Azimut

Trivia:

70mm blow-up version released in Spain.

Weak script, strong casting.

One of my hobbies is watching obscure titles on old VHS tapes usually bought from flea markets and car boot sales. Most of the films are genuinely appalling, but every once in a while a gem is found.

Salt in the wound is one of them. In fact, most Klaus Kinski films are better than your average American pap. Apart from Kinski's psychotic performance, Salt in the wound also excels in cinematography. Some scenes are rescued by imaginative use of light. Also the length of the film is less than 90 minutes, which helps in keeping the viewer focused throughout.

The worst part of the film is the script. Cliched and predictable, it goes to show, that imagination in the casting and directing goes a long way.

Recommended, if you can get a copy.