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Crime Cult Classic

Three privileged youths carve a bloody path through Italy, leaving chaos in their wake.

YOUNG, VIOLENT, DANGEROUS

1976 · 1h 40m · NR · Crime / Drama / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Three young men from good families go on a pointless and bloodthirsty crime spree. They kill many people during robberies before they make a run for the Swiss border.

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Quick Answer

What is Young, Violent, Dangerous about?

Young, Violent, Dangerous is a 1976 Italian crime thriller directed by Romolo Guerrieri about three young men from good families who unleash a senseless and violent crime spree, pursued by the police and leaving a trail of bloodshed behind them.

Programmer's Pick

Italian crime cinema rarely gets rawer—or more nihilistic—than this: pampered kids trading privilege for pistols and cold-blooded anarchy. Expect nerve-jangling violence, a ruthless streak, and Tomas Milian in a role that only intensifies the manhunt.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Paul, Joe, and Louie are not your typical criminals—they come from affluent families, but a taste for violence and chaos sends them on a spree that rattles their quiet Italian community. What begins with a brutal gas station robbery quickly escalates, as Paul’s trigger finger leaves bystanders dead and the group’s ambition grows bolder with each crime. The police, led by a determined commissioner played by Tomas Milian, struggle to catch up as the body count rises. As the trio grab Paul’s girlfriend and make a desperate dash for the Swiss border, their journey grows more ruthless. Young, Violent, Dangerous plunges viewers into the heart of Italian exploitation cinema’s fascination with brutality, youth, and moral collapse.

Details & Specs

Director
Romolo Guerrieri
Writers
Fernando Di Leo, Giorgio Scerbanenco, Nico Ducci
Release
1976
Runtime
1h 40m
Country
Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Also Known As
Young, Violent, Dangerous, Jeunes, désespérés, violents, Racket boys, Liberi armati pericolosi (original title)

Why This Matters

This film adapts two short stories from Giorgio Scerbanenco's collection 'Milano calibro 9,' connecting it to the influential body of Italian crime fiction that inspired the poliziottesco genre.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Romolo Guerrieri Writers: Fernando Di Leo +2 more
Tomas Milian Tomas Milian Commissario Eleonora Giorgi Eleonora Giorgi Lea Stefano Patrizi Stefano Patrizi Mario Farra Benjamin Lev Benjamin Lev Giovanni Etrusco MD Max Delys Luigi Morandi Diego Abatantuono Diego Abatantuono Lucio Venantino Venantini Venantino Venantini Sign. Morandi Salvatore Billa Salvatore Billa Forger AG Antonio Guidi LB Luciano Baraghini Commissario Assistant RD Ruggero Diella Supermarket Robber Giorgio Locuratolo Giorgio Locuratolo Friend of Lucio VG Valeria Gagliardi Gloria Piedimonte Gloria Piedimonte Friend of Lucio Tom Felleghy Tom Felleghy Prof. Farra Maria Rosaria Riuzzi Maria Rosaria Riuzzi Friend of Lucio Carmelo Reale Carmelo Reale Forger Peter Berling Peter Berling Oberwald Flora Carosello Flora Carosello Morandi Cleaning Woman Cesare Di Vito Cesare Di Vito Police Agent NA Nick Alexander Barn Owner (voice) (uncredited) Omero Capanna Omero Capanna Police Agent (uncredited) Franz Colangeli Franz Colangeli Bank Robbery Victim (uncredited) Raniero Dorascenzi Raniero Dorascenzi Bank employee (uncredited) MD Marvin Drake Clerk (voice) (uncredited) Attilio Pelegatti Attilio Pelegatti Bank Robbery Victim (uncredited)

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Why Cult

Italian Exploitation Energy

A prime slice of 1970s Italian crime cinema with all the grit, violence, and sexual provocation the genre is known for.

Provocative Violence

From shootings to raw brutality, the film delivers a barrage of merciless crime scenes that define its reputation.

Tomas Milian on the Hunt

Milian's police commissioner brings intensity and edge to the relentless pursuit of the young killers.

Youthful Anarchy

Three well-to-do youths choosing violence over privilege make for a brutal twist on coming-of-age rebellion.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Three privileged youths turn to violence

Threat

Armed, remorseless crime spree

Effect

Innocent bystanders are killed; rising community terror

Countermeasure

Police manhunt

Setting

Italian cities and countryside en route to the Swiss border

Questions from the Vault

When was Young, Violent, Dangerous released? +

Young, Violent, Dangerous was released in 1976.

Who directed Young, Violent, Dangerous? +

Young, Violent, Dangerous was directed by Romolo Guerrieri.

How long is Young, Violent, Dangerous? +

Young, Violent, Dangerous has a runtime of 100 minutes.

What genre is Young, Violent, Dangerous? +

Young, Violent, Dangerous is a crime, drama, and thriller film.

Trailers & Clips

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