No Way Out (1973)

A mob hitman wants to retire, but his bosses don't think that's a good idea. Complications--and many bloody shootouts-ensue.

Director:

Duccio Tessari

Writers:

Franco Verucci (story), Ugo Liberatore (screenplay)

Stars:

Alain Delon, Richard Conte, Carla Gravina

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alain Delon	...	Tony Arzenta
Richard Conte	...	Nick Gusto
Carla Gravina	...	Sandra
Marc Porel	...	Domenico Maggio
Roger Hanin	...	Carré
Nicoletta Machiavelli	...	Anna - wife of Tony
Guido Alberti	...	Don Mariano
Lino Troisi	...	Rocco Cutitta
Silvano Tranquilli	...	Montani - the Interpol officer
Corrado Gaipa	...	Arzenta's Father
Erika Blanc	...	The Prostitute as a decoy
Rosalba Neri	...	Cutitta's Wife
Carla Calò	...	Arzenta's Mother
Ettore Manni	...	Gesmundo - the sauna owner
Francesco Bonetti

Storyline

A mob hitman wants to retire, but his bosses don't think that's a good idea. Complications--and many bloody shootouts-ensue.

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Plot Keywords:

j&b scotch | hitman | train tunnel | birthday party | birthday cake | 

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Taglines:

By mistake they killed his wife and child - THAT was a hell of a mistake!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

23 August 1973 (France)

Also Known As:

No Way Out

Filming Locations:

Duomo, Noto, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mondial Televisione Film,Adel Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 62913 delivered on 8-8-1973.

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Alternate Versions

The Japanese DVD omits a lesbian kiss at the night club and the beating of Carla Gavina, however a small fraction of the latter is present in the trailer.

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Connections

Referenced in No Way Out (2011)

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Soundtracks

Quando mi dici così
Antonio Amurri (as A. Amurri) - Gianni Ferrio (as G. Ferrio)
Edizioni Curci - Milano

User Reviews

Probably the most stylish of all Euro Crime films

At the start of this film, hit-man Tony Arzenta wishes his son many future birthdays, so you kind of know how that's gonna work out...eh? One accidentally blown up family later, Tony's out to get everyone involved. All he wanted to do was leave the mob, but we all know that there's only one way to leave the mob, and that's by industrial tribunal...no wait...

What made this film stand out for me is the overwhelming sense of style that is apparent in every frame. The primary colours are played out with precision in every scene, from the decor, to the clothing, to parked cars, everything is decked out in yellow, blue, or red. Watch the film and see what I mean. An immense amount of detail has gone into the cinematography here, and that makes the film worth watching.

Other than that - our leading man in icy and laid back, but it's Richard Conte who stands out for me as the mafia don. He's world weary and genuinely shocked that the mafia have accidentally killed a woman and a child, and his whole approach to the Tony Arzenta problem is handled in a business-like, resigned manner. Conte is great here, just like he was in The Violent Professionals.

This is a classic and was unknown to me until I received it as part of an Italian Crime Movie box set. One of the best (in my opinion, of course).