Almost Human (1974)

A small-time homicidal maniac kidnaps the daughter of a rich man, prompting a hardened detective to work outside the law to pursue him.

Director:

Umberto Lenzi

Writer:

Ernesto Gastaldi (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Tomas Milian, Henry Silva, Laura Belli

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tomas Milian	...	Giulio Sacchi
Henry Silva	...	Commissario Walter Grandi
Laura Belli	...	Marilù Porrino
Gino Santercole	...	Vittorio
Mario Piave	...	Grandi's Assistant
Luciano Catenacci	...	Ugo Majone
Pippo Starnazza	...	Papà
Lorenzo Piani	...	Gianni - Marilù's Boyfriend
Joris Muzio	...	Giulio's Lawyer (as Muzio Joris)
Rosita Torosh	...	Marta
Franco Ferrari	...	Brambilla
Francesco D'Adda	...	Romano
Annie Carol Edel	...	Marta's friend (as Annie Edel)
Giuseppe Castellano	...	Police Inspector with glasses
Tom Felleghy	...	Judge Rossi

Storyline

Guilio Sacchi, an underworld leader in crime, is about to rise above the rank of mafia hit-man to the most savage killer in Milan. He kidnaps the daughter of a wealthy business man, planning to live a life of luxury with the ransom he collects. In the course of obtaining the money, Guilio finds it necessary to mercilessly slaughter anyone who gets in his way as the city's death toll increases by the minute. Walter Grandi is a frustrated police chief who's seen too many innocent people die by Guilio's hands. Determined to exterminate Guilio and his men, Grandi attempts to convict the vicious criminal only to realize he can never obtain the necessary proof. Finally, Grandi must transgress the rules of his profession to stop Sacchi's ruthless reign of terror.

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Plot Keywords:

rape | murder of a child | murder spree | murder of a police officer | shooting a police officer | 

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Taglines:

There is a reason for every living creature ...with one exception.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

14 November 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Almost Human

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dania Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marc Porel was originally offered the role of Giulio Sacchi. Director Umberto Lenzi had a meeting with him and found him to be "unreliable from both a human and professional point of view." Lenzi told the producer "It's him or me." The producer asked Lenzi if Tomas Milian was OK. Milian's conditions were reasonable so he got the part.

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Connections

Referenced in Rewind This! (2013)

User Reviews

First rate police thriller from Umberto Lenzi!

Umberto Lenzi's Almost Human is a film that takes in all the best elements of seventies Italian cinema and blends it all into one deliriously entertaining thriller! Umberto Lenzi is, of course, more famous for his cannibal and zombie films; but I have it on good authority that his real talent lies in police thrillers, and even though this is my first Poliziotteschi from Lenzi; it appears that would indeed be the case. The film takes obvious influence from successful American films such as Dirty Harry, but it's also obvious that Lenzi has added his own spin on the sub-genre, as the sadistic director implants a lot of scenes that wouldn't be out of place in an exploitation film. Almost Human is graphically violent throughout, and that is certainly no bad thing! The film follows a career criminal known as Giulio Sacci who realises that he's not making a lot of money out of small time crime and so hatches a plot to kidnap a wealthy man's daughter and hold her for ransom. It's not long before Milan's toughest cop; Inspector Walter Grandi gets on the case and sets into motion a bloodthirsty chain of events!

The cast and crew is like a who's who of Italian cinema. Lenzi himself has directed a number of the best Italian films, while nobody will disagree that films such as The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh and The Case of the Bloody Iris make Ernesto Gastaldi one of Italy's finest scriptwriters. The cast is superb, and benefits from two strong lead male performances. Thomas Milan, perhaps best known for performances as Django and a starring role in Fulci's Don't Torture a Duckling, gives a sadistic and charismatic lead performance, while Henry Silva is his opposite number. There are support roles for the likes of Anita Strindberg and Ray Lovelock, and just to top things off; Almost Human is scored by the great Ennio Morricone! The plot is superb and continually delivers the unexpected as the lead character descends further into bloodthirsty insanity. Lenzi does a good job of presenting a dirty and gritty atmosphere for the film, and ensures that the film feels like a police thriller with several car chases and shootouts. Italian films are known for being cheap and nasty; but that isn't the case here, as the production values are good and the film always feels professionally made. Highly recommended for the fan of Italian cinema!