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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

The Madness of Mafia Murder Men.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

14 November 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Death Dealer

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

Director Umberto Lenzi stated in an interview that his first meeting with Tomas Milian for this film was really difficult because Lenzi felt Milian didn't trust him. Milian had heard rumors that Lenzi was an impulsive, hotheaded director but in the end Lenzi felt that Milian got that he was the right director for the job. This started what Lenzi called a "love-hate" relationship between the two that would continue for a total of 7 films with the actor.

---

Connections

References The Killing (1956)

User Reviews

Possibly Umberto Lenzi's best film!

Wow, I was not expecting this one to be as good as it turned out! Possibly Umberto Lenzi's best film, Almost Human is a violent and mean-spirited Italian crime-thriller from that golden age of the 70's. Tomas Milian stars as Giulio Sacchi, a lowly thug who is despised even by his peers. Sacchi has a lot of criminal perseverance, though, and manages to come up with a kidnapping/ransom scheme that should set him and his small crew up for life. Of course, the fact that Sacchi is a mean and crazy bastard makes things difficult (and deadly) for just about everyone involved, inadvertently or not! The dedicated, stone-faced cop investigating Sacchi's reign of terror was played by Henry Silva, who did a fine job in the role. To the tune of the thumping theme by Ennio Morricone, Almost Human delivers the details and action at a strong pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. And with cool dialogue that Tarantino would love, well, this was just a very entertaining and well-made piece of Eurocrime. The new DVD from No Shame features several interview extras, the best of which being from Milian, who even at his old age manages to be a lively, funny guy.