Pro-police brutality, criminal syndicates, and vengeance collide in this Italian poliziotteschi thriller.
THE BLOODY HANDS OF THE LAW
A crime boss is assassinated and witnesses to the crime are subsequently killed. A no-nonsense policeman decides to take the law into his own hands in bringing these criminals to justice.
Quick Answer
The Bloody Hands of the Law is a 1973 Italian crime thriller directed by Mario Gariazzo about a relentless police officer who pursues a powerful criminal organization after a crime boss is murdered and witnesses are systematically eliminated.
Programmer's Pick
If you like your crime thrillers with a side of blowtorch justice and a dash of giallo flair, Mario Gariazzo’s blood-soaked poliziotteschi doesn’t disappoint. This is Italian law enforcement at its most unrestrained—where the lines between cop and criminal get dangerously blurry.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This 1973 Italian crime film features Klaus Kinski in a starring role and was directed by Mario Gariazzo, reflecting the era's prolific output of European crime cinema.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
From grisly shootings to a notorious blowtorch scene, the film doesn't shy away from explicit, creative brutality.
The plot digs deep into a criminal syndicate’s reach, suggesting police complicity and an atmosphere thick with paranoia.
Lt. Carmine’s willingness to go to any lengths for justice is as compelling as it is unsettling, embodying the film’s pro-brutality stance.
Blending crime thriller grit with giallo stylings, the film delivers suspense and style unique to early '70s Italian cinema.
Scene Gallery
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Questions from the Vault
When was The Bloody Hands of the Law released? +
The Bloody Hands of the Law was released in 1973.
Who directed The Bloody Hands of the Law? +
The Bloody Hands of the Law was directed by Mario Gariazzo.
How long is The Bloody Hands of the Law? +
The Bloody Hands of the Law has a runtime of 88 minutes.
What genre is The Bloody Hands of the Law? +
The Bloody Hands of the Law is a crime and thriller film.
How does the criminal organization silence witnesses in The Bloody Hands of the Law? +
Anyone who knows anything about the crime is killed in unexplained circumstances, highlighting the organization's ruthless efficiency.
