This film is being released as a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray by Radiance Films.
After first seeing films on VHS by Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci in the 1980s, this reviewer has done his best to see as many Italian genre titles as possible. However, some efforts from that part of the world have been extremely hard to locate in North America. This week, Radiance Films is presenting one of those titles. Goodbye & Amen isn’t a horror film, but it is a remarkably tense thriller with an exciting story and some memorable imagery. It’s too bad that it took so long for this tale to reach this part of the world, but at least it now has the chance to find a welcoming audience.
Two versions of the film are included on this “Limited Edition” Blu-ray release (only 3000 copies will be made available through the distributor). There’s an Italian version as well as an American cut that is 7 minutes shorter. This reviewer decided on checking out the longer, more complete version of the movie and is glad that he did.
The film offers an interesting critique of US interference in setting up coups based on their own gains. American CIA agent John Dhannay (Tony Musante) plots a government overthrow of an African nation from his office in Rome, only to see his plans become compromised when he learns a mole is leaking information. In the meantime, a mysterious figure named Donald Grayson (John Steiner) snaps, travels to a hotel and goes on a shooting rampage before seeking refuge in a hotel room. Once entering the suite, he takes famous actress Aliki De Mauro (Claudia Cardinale) and her secret lover hostage. Dhanney learns that the killer may have a connection to the CIA and sets out to identify and quietly try to put a stop to the threat. The situation becomes even more complicated when the US Ambassador to Italy (John Forsythe) arrives and adds further complications to the scenario. In the end, the US agents come off as bullies and in some respects very problematic in their manipulation of others.
The movie was directed by Damiano Damiani (Arturo’s Island, Mafia, Confessions of a Police Captain and The Case Is Closed, Forget It among many others) who had a lot of experience previous to this title and shows a sure hand in building suspense. It does have some exaggerated moments early on from an extra or two during the shooting sequence, but the scenes with the gunman at the hotel are very effectively rendered. It is especially interesting when armed forces station themselves outside the room and try to mount a plan to rush in with as little damage as possible. These scenes are remarkably claustrophobic and the camera positions are clever as armed figures try to peer and get messages through ventilation shafts.
Before and during these events, it is also exciting to watch Dhannay race around and try to figure out what is happening and, most importantly, why it is occurring. Cardinale is also effective trying to talk the madman down and get herself and her lover to safety. In the end, this story has plenty of effective twists and turns. Since none of the leads are particularly sympathetic or heroic people, it is difficult to determine exactly how things will play out. The climax features the gunman and hostages moving around the hotel memorably dressed in black motorcycle outfits/helmets, making it difficult to ascertain exactly who is who. It’s well used and generates even more thrills. The close is appropriately bleak, making the commentary and message effectively rendered.
It does take a bit of time for the story and intrigue to really heat up, but for a relatively low-budget political thriller, the movie is far better than anticipated and it ultimately delivers the goods. The hostage scenes and climax do have elements that are unique, yet the tone won’t seem unfamiliar to those who appreciate genre fare.
Once again, Radiance Films has done an excellent job bringing this title to Blu-ray. The impressive image is very sharp and clear and even the finale set in darker portions of the hotel looks excellent. It’s a top- notch transfer that still appears very crisp when upscaled by 4K players.
The film also boasts some fun extras that are well worth checking out. There is a film historian commentary featuring Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger in which the participants note some of the picture’s oddities early on, as well as the unusual tone of the movie and its anti-US viewpoint. They admit that early scenes at the CIA offices in Rome are a little confusing and are fairly generic in appearance, but are quick to point out (like most others who will watch the movie) that the filmmaker handles events incredibly well in the second and third act and the finale ends up being quite effective. It’s an informative and entertaining track.
The picture was edited by Antonio Siciliano and there’s a nearly 40-minute interview with him as he talks about his career and the various pictures that he cut for director Damiani. He notes that he never received a great deal of notes from the filmmaker. The footage came in and it all seemed obvious in the way that the material should be put together. Damiani rarely questioned him, only saying that they had similar instincts and so it was easy to work with him.
Siciliano later talks about how nightmarish it is editing pictures for younger directors. He states that they seem to shoot everything at the same time from a multitude of angles but with little clear idea of how to fit it all together. The editor notes that he wishes more moviemakers would go in knowing exactly what they wanted, which would save every department time and present a more cohesive vision for the film. He admits, though, that this is simply the process by which most movies are now made and that he shouldn’t be quite so severe on the young filmmakers he has worked with.
There is also a funny archived conversation with supporting cast member Wolfango Soldati, who plays Dhanney’s friend Harry Lambert, who is an early suspect in the crime. The two characters have a tense relationship due to the fact that the CIA agent may have had an affair with Lambert’s wife. It’s an eccentric little story tangent and Soldati seems to not have enjoyed his experience on-set. This is not because the cast were rude, but because he didn’t like Diamani’s distant directorial approach. He was generally confused and frustrated about his character and motivations (one thinks that Diamani must have thought the actor was more familiar with the screenplay than he actually was). The actor is also annoyed that he was frequently mistaken for the lover character who has a full-frontal nude scene in the movie. This bitterness does come off as amusing.
Additionally, this release includes a reversible sleeve feature designs based on the movie’s original posters and promo material, as well as a booklet with an essay on the movie.
This title is a very pleasant surprise. It has some quirky elements (which somehow end up adding to its strange charm), but delivers tension, excitement and a message about the negative influence and violence the story’s main characters can cause to innocent bystanders. This Blu-ray also presents a great picture and plenty of enjoyable bonuses. Those who appreciate Italian fare will definitely get a kick out of this picture.