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The Summertime Killer

Original title: Un verano para matar
  • 1972
  • PG
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
492
YOUR RATING
The Summertime Killer (1972)
An ex-policeman hunts a young man on a trans-Atlantic hunt for the gangsters who killed his father.
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
22 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

After witnessing his father's murder as a child, a man seeks vengeance against the mafia gang responsible, methodically hunting them down while evading law enforcement and the crime boss.After witnessing his father's murder as a child, a man seeks vengeance against the mafia gang responsible, methodically hunting them down while evading law enforcement and the crime boss.After witnessing his father's murder as a child, a man seeks vengeance against the mafia gang responsible, methodically hunting them down while evading law enforcement and the crime boss.

  • Director
    • Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi
  • Writers
    • Reid Buckley
    • Lluís Josep Comerón
    • Jorge Illa
  • Stars
    • Karl Malden
    • Olivia Hussey
    • Christopher Mitchum
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    492
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi
    • Writers
      • Reid Buckley
      • Lluís Josep Comerón
      • Jorge Illa
    • Stars
      • Karl Malden
      • Olivia Hussey
      • Christopher Mitchum
    • 9User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:36
    Official Trailer

    Photos22

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    Top cast20

    Edit
    Karl Malden
    Karl Malden
    • Captain John Kiley
    Olivia Hussey
    Olivia Hussey
    • Tania Scarlotti
    Christopher Mitchum
    Christopher Mitchum
    • Ray Castor
    Raf Vallone
    Raf Vallone
    • Lazaro Alfredi
    Claudine Auger
    Claudine Auger
    • Michèle
    Gérard Barray
    Gérard Barray
    • Tania's Teacher
    Gérard Tichy
    Gérard Tichy
    • Alex
    Ricardo Valle
    • Mafia Boss
    Gustavo Re
    Gustavo Re
    • Guido
    José Nieto
    José Nieto
    • Mason
    • (as Jose Nieto)
    Lorenzo Larios
    Miguel de la Riva
    Umberto Raho
    Umberto Raho
    • Louie
    Lluís Torner
    • Veterinarian
    • (as Luis Torner)
    Marcos Miravitlles
    Víctor Israel
    Víctor Israel
    • Mechanic
    • (as Victor Israel)
    Manuel Bronchud
    • Henchman
    James Cooley
    • Director
      • Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi
    • Writers
      • Reid Buckley
      • Lluís Josep Comerón
      • Jorge Illa
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    6.0492
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    Featured reviews

    FrankiePaddo

    European Revenge Action Flic

    Hey there must be fans out there of the 70s European action movies. The king of the genre is Charles Bronson but a lot of other US actors packed up and headed over to Europe to churn out some mid budget violence.

    This time its Christopher Mitchum ( son of Robert), Karl Malden, and Olivia Hussey, with support from Italian Raf Vallone.

    Its basically the young man seeking revenge redeemed by love plot mixed in with the old cop with a guilty conscience who wants to atone for his sins plot. And its not half bad with some nice motorbike stunts, cool sunglasses worn by Mitchum and nice location photography in Spain. And of course there is that ambience found in these 70s Euro action films where there are long pauses, meaningful angles as well as a gallery of existential or thoughtful characters. Its no classic but its fun. The only question is when is Tarantino going to get around to this sub genre?
    7Coventry

    In the Summertime, when the hunky killers are loose...

    Isn't this the dream-start we all hope to find in an action/revenge thriller? After barely 10 minutes of running time, we already witnessed one brutal mafia execution and three bloody retaliation murders! Two things can happen then. Either you're in for a genuine gem with non-stop excitement throughout the entire play time, or ... the whole thing becomes a boring mess after the great opening. Luckily, "Summertime Killer" belongs in the first category, as it's a terrific and explosive Italian exploitation gem with a great cast, wonderful filming locations and a continuously good pacing. The story is extremely simple, but hey, those are usually the best and most effective! At very young age, Ray Castore witnesses how is father is sadistically slain by four thugs. A good decade later, Ray grew up to be hunky blond lad with a motorcycle and a loyal dog, but still the only thing on his mind is to avenge his father's dead. When his fourth and final murder attempt fails, despite careful planning, he kidnaps the former mobster's beautiful 19-year-old daughter and locks her up in a houseboat.

    "Summertime Killer" guarantees great entertainment. Sure, the middle section is somewhat predictable, since you know the girl is bound to get a case of the Stockholm Syndrome, but these sequences are made more bearable because the girl in question is Olivia Hussey and she just happens to be one of the most beautiful and sensual women in the world. Speaking of pretty people, Christopher Mitchum is very good as the avenging angel. This was definitely the best role in the career of Robert's less talented son; - although perhaps on par with the bonkers "Mean Machine". The stellar cast also features Karl Malden (as the tough copper on Joe's tail) and Raf Vallone as the merciless mobster turned wine farmer. The many motorcycle stunts form the highlights of the film, together with the shots of Olivia Hussey in bikini, of course.
    6Bezenby

    Summertime semi-thriller!

    Any mafia don worth his salt will tell you that if you whack a guy, you've got to make sure he's got no kids that will grow up and come after you. Look at Don Ciccio in the Godfather Part Two. Failed to kill Robert De Niro as a kid. Thirty years later, dies with a huge knife in his gut. Same with this guy here. He doesn't even bother trying to kill the kid – he just lets him watch!

    Years later and that kid is now Christopher Mitchum. That's Robert Mitchum's son to us lesser beings, and in terms of inheriting his father's looks and acting talents, let's just say he looks like his father. Chris is bringing vengeance to the mob in a big way, gunning down people left and right (including Umberto Raho). Chris heads off for Italy while Captain Karl Malden picks up his trail.

    Once in Rome, Chris sets his sights on Claudine Augur, secretary to Mafia boss Don Alfredi and romances her by getting involved in a car chase with her! Claudine is won over by his car chase skills, and after getting in the sack with him, reveals that the Don has a daughter at a boarding school in France…

    Meanwhile, Karl Malden (whose nose was a product of boxing, I now know) starts doing a little research of his own, meeting with the Mafia boss, whom he knows personally, and trying to save the Don's daughter after she's kidnapped. Then again, things aren't that straightforward. Karl Malden is obviously one of those actors who would entertain ordering some chips at a Drive-thru, and he's good here as the soft hearted policeman who charms his way to the kidnapper.

    I'm not so sure about Christopher Mitchum or Oliva Hussey, mind you. Chris is a good action star but doesn't seem to get too excited about anything, and Olivia also seems to me to be very detached, no matter what role she's in. She does choose interesting films to star in, however. She was in the creepy-as-hell US slasher Black Christmas (1974) and the brilliant Australian sci-fi flick Turkey Shoot, as well as appearing in the post-apocalyptic Virus (1980) and Stephen King's It (1990). Mitchum didn't fare so well, but appears in The Day Time Ended (1977) and crazy Indonesion action film Final Score (1986). He also played 'ranch hand' in the 1993 film Tombstone. All that is relevant to The Summertime Killer.

    This isn't as violent or crazy as other Poliziotesschi films, and almost feels more American for some reason. Maybe it's due to a focus on characterisation. Be warned – there's an almost two hour long version out there too, but it's only added dialogue.
    8massbits

    A young boy witnesses the murder of his father, years later he takes vengeance on the mobsters that killed him

    A young boy witnesses the murder of his Father by vicious mobsters, 20 years pass the Kid now a young man (Christopher Mitchum) plots his one man vengeance trail on all those responsible for his Father's death. Hot on his heels is a hard boiled cop (Karl Malden) who has been hired by he Mob to stop the kid, who has already killed a fair few of the Mob, The Kid's ace in the hole, is when he kidnaps the daughter (Oliva Hussy) of the leader of the Mob (Raf Vallone)in order to lure him out to make him an easy target, However things get more complex for the Kid as the two young'ns gradually fall for one another. A great piece of 70's Euro trash exploitation, with nice cinematography,great Motorbike stunts by the master Remy Julian and his posse of stunt men and a great score by Luis Baclov (Django). Both Mitchum and Hussey are excellent in their roles and they seem to develop some sort of surreal chemistry. Karl Malden makes the best of a very sparse script,
    6ma-cortes

    SpanishThriller/Vengeance with international cast about a young pursuing his father's killers

    This vendetta story contains suspense , noisy action-packed , gun-play , motorbike racing and lots of violence . Acceptable Actioner deals about a six-year-old boy witnesses gangsters beating and drowning his daddy to death . Twenty years later , we follow the now-grown young called Ray Castor (Chris Mitchum) begins to chase and eliminate the mobsters who did it , determined to wipe out the entire band of hoods . As he systematically pursues and kills these gangs of hoodlums in N.Y. , Rome, and Lisboa . A police inspector named John Kiley (Karl Malden) investigating the murders , and a Mafia chief hires him to privately track down the murderer . A boss named Lazaro Alfredi (Raf Vallone) who heads the band , are just as determined to stop him . Meanwhile , Ray kidnaps his daughter Tania (Olivia Hussey) and things don't always go the way you expect .

    Stirring film in which there are nail-biting action scenes , drama , intrigue , explosion , suspenseful set pieces and big stars , if not much continuity . Chris Mitchum with his usual stoic acting -similarly his father Robert- , displays amount of weapons arsenal and fists killing nasties . Agreeable all action seventies Euro-nostalgia trip , being fast paced and rightly developed . An action filled European vengeance flick in which the avenger protagonist falls in love for his hostage and there are some thrilling motorcycle pursuits along the way before the final takes a slight twist . Successful crime thriller that follows the Vigilante genre in Charles Bronson/Death Wish style . It's certainly thrilling and exciting , though the morality may be questionable , even in this time, as the spectators were clearly on the Chris Mitchum's side . Mid-seventies Lisboa-Madrid come across as very European locations and serve as an excellent backdrop for most of the action . The plot was a satisfying mix of set pieces and unexpected plot twists . A fun and romantic snapshot in time and place in which a kidnapper falls in love with his victim . Varied cast formed by great stars such as Karl Malden , Olivia Hussey , Raf Vallone , Claudine Auger as well as Spanish secondaries such as Jose Nieto , Gustavo Re , Gerard Tichy , Ricardo Valle , among others . Even by today's standards, it would be good, provided someone cared to restore it's brightly colour , perfect editing, and natural sound . Atmospheric musical score by Sergio Barditti , even referenced in ¨Kill Bill. Volume 2 (2004)¨ , as score song "Summertime Killer" is taken from this film, heard when The Bride first enters Bill's hacienda. .

    The director was defending his name and career , but also his money in more ways than one , as he was one of the producers investing in the project . Antonio Isasi Isasmendi is a good professional , a craftsman who has directed several films in diverse genres , as adventures and action ,especially , such as The dog 1979 , 1968 Las Vegas, 500 millions , 1965 Estambul 65 and 1963 The mask of Scaramouche ."Summertime Killer" results to be a surprisingly solid little film , including some action scenes very skillfully staged Good revenge thriller is worth trying . This is a movie thats both entertaining and enlightening . Certainly worth watching if you're in the mood for something other than typical exploitation fare.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite Italy being one of the co-producing countries it was not released in Italy until 1975.
    • Goofs
      In various scenes, camera reflections can be seen on screen, as well as crew equipment on one of the houseboat scenes.
    • Quotes

      Ray Castor: Playtime is over. I'll get this straight. You'll be here as long as I need you. While you're here, you do what I say, when I say it, now get back inside.

    • Alternate versions
      The Spanish version of the movie run 20 minutes longer.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Run and Run
      Written by Luis Bacalov and Sergio Bardotti

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 3, 1974 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • France
      • Spain
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un verano para matar
    • Filming locations
      • Estoril, Lisbon, Portugal
    • Production companies
      • Isasi
      • 16-35 Films OCF Productions
      • Tritone Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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