DVD released: February 28th, 2006
Approximate running time: 95 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Italian, Dolby Digital Stereo Italian
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Blue Underground
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95

Synopsis: Four police officers are assigned as bodyguards for a prominent judge who investigations have put his life in danger.

La Scorta is an amazing tale about four men and the sacrifices they made to protect one man. Most of these men have family and significant others that they barely see and that their lives are also put in danger because of this assignment. The story evolves naturally and never feels forced for the sake of entertainment. The four bodyguards and the judge they are protecting are not friendly at first and as time passes they form a family of sorts.

The two bodyguards that are featured most prominently in the film are Angelo who has a short temper and will do anything to catch his friends killers. The other is the character of Andrea who is the direct opposite. There are many standout moments in the film like when the bodyguards escorting the judge come upon an abandon car and fear it make be bomb waiting for them or when the gate to the courthouse parking lot is stuck and won’t open. These two moments like many others are expertly drawn out for the maximum effect.

Director Ricky Tognazzi shows in every shot the life of the bodyguards down the most minuscule detail. The film is filled with several peaks and valleys of tension that builds up to an unforgettable conclusion. Morricone is in top form as he supplies yet another timeless score. All the actors in this film are subtle and low key in their performances which adds to the films realism. The sacrifices these men make while protecting the judge along with the relationships that forge is what really sells this film. Overall La Scorta is the most criminally underrated Italian film of the last twenty years, highly recommended.

The DVD:

Blue Underground presents La Scorta in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the films original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The colors look vivid and nicely saturated through out. The black levels remain strong and there is an exceptional amount of detail in every frame. Overall outside of few minor instances of print damage this transfer looks amazing.

This release comes with one audio option the films original Italian language track which is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 and a Dolby Digital stereo mix. The audio is clean with no problems with hiss or distortion. The music and effects sound evenly balanced. Removable English subtitles that are easy to read and follow have been included.

Extras include a trailer and teaser trailer for the film as well as a photo gallery. Other extras include a twenty six minute featurette titled "Judging La Scorta" which includes interviews with Tognazzi, Alessio Gelsini, Amendola and Bonivento. Rounding out the extras is a feature length audio commentary with Ricky Tognazzi and Claudio Bonivento that is moderated by Bill Lustig. Both the featurette and the audio commentary are rich in details about the making of the film and the events that inspired it. Overall Blue Underground’s La Scorta release includes an impressive array of extras as well as sporting a solid audio/video presentation.