Written by: John White on January 13th, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1976
Director: Ruggero Deodato
Cast: Marc Porel, Ray Lovelock, Adolfo Celi, Franco Citti, Silvia Dionisio, Marino Masé, Renato Salvatori
DVD released: November 2004
Approximate running time: 91 mins
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: 18
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono Italian, Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Raro Video
Region Coding: Region 2 PAL
Retail Price: EUR 15.99
Synopsis: Alfredo and Antonio are recruited to join a Special Force for the police dedicated to fighting the Rome underworld using any tactics they think appropriate. Trying to chase down top mobster Pasquini, they pick on his nymphomaniac sister and literally pump her for information. Their attentions don’t escape Pasquini’s notice and he plans to put them out of commission.
Live like a Cop was hugely successful and it isn’t hard to see why. The film begins with an extended motorbike chase at full tilt through Rome which includes a mugger’s victim being dragged behind one bike and a guide dog being run over whilst it’s blind owner is left in the middle of a traffic crossing. When our two hunk heroes capture the muggers, the one still living is "helped" by Alfredo breaking his neck. Porel and Lovelock look gorgeous in this film and their relationship is a very odd one. They travel anywhere sharing one bike, sleep in the same bedroom and share women. This film is almost their romance!
Fernando Di Leo provides the script and Deodato has done it justice with flashes of sharp wit, black humour and sassy dialogue balanced along great fights, torture and explosions when needed. The opening bike chase is a little overstated and almost silly by it’s conclusion, but the casual brutality of the violent cops is well done with Adolfo Celi doing well as their Police Captain who tears them off a strip only to ignore their excesses.
The film is immensely enjoyable but not in the top rank of great Euro crime as the drama seems a bit scattergun and the amorality a little wearing. Still, it’s a great watch for Euro Crime fans.
The DVD:
The Raro disc is well presented but not perfect. The feature is presented in 4:3 despite a widescreen print and this means you will have to adjust your equipment to full frame. The print is good but not exceptional being quite soft and a little washed out. The audio on the main feature comes in dual language options but is awfully quiet.
The extras include a 45 documentary on the film with interviews with Deodato and Lovelock. This has sound issues throughout with the right channel disappearing as the documentary play and the clips of the film shown in this documentary have different, and better, English subs to the main film. There is another advert reel included with more of Deodato’s work in advertising.
The disc comes with dual language liner notes discussing the films making and the aborted sequel.
Raro’s disc is very acceptable but future presentations might want to improve the English Subtitles and present the film in original aspect ratio with the soundtrack boosted. An enjoyable film and a reasonably good disc.