The Italian Connection | |
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Directed by | Fernando di Leo |
Produced by | Armando Novelli |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Fernando di Leo |
Starring | |
Music by | Armando Trovajoli |
Cinematography | Franco Villa |
Edited by | Amedeo Giomini |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | Alpherat |
Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
Country |
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Box office | ₤852.404 million |
The Italian Connection (Italian: La mala ordina, lit. "The mob orders") is a 1972 poliziotteschi film directed by Fernando Di Leo.
Small-time pimp Luca Canali (Mario Adorf) is hunted by both local mobsters and two killers (Henry Silva and Woody Strode) sent by the New York mafia after a shipment of heroin fails to arrive. But it becomes apparent he is not as soft as he appears as a deadly cat-and-mouse game is played out on the streets of Milan. The film contains a dramatic chase scene where Canali pursues an assassin both on car and on foot.
The two American hitmen have contrasting personalities. Dave (Silva) is something of a playboy and loudmouth, while Frank (Strode) is quiet and professional. The concept of two hitmen teamed up, one black and one white, appears to have been a likely inspiration for the characters played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction.
Di Leo's original title for The Italian Connection was Ordini da un altro mondo (Orders form Another World). It was filmed at Dear Studios in Rome and on location in Milan.
The Italian Connection was released theatrically in Italy on 2 September 1972 where it was distributed by Alpherat. The film grossed 852.404 million Italian lira on its theatrical run in Italy. It was released in West Germany on 1 December 1972 under the title Der Mafia-Boss-Sie toten wie Schakale. The film received a release in the United States as The Italian Connection in 1973 with a 87 minute running time. The film has since been released under the titles Hired to Kill, Black Kingpin, Hitmen, and Hit Men on American home video releases.
The film was released by Raro on DVD an blu-ray in the United States.