2026 Subscribers: this is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.
This special limited edition 3-Disc Blu-ray set comes with a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Robert Sammelin), includes a 40-page perfect bound book, and is limited to 4,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Welcome Vinegar Syndrome Labs (VSL) to the VS Sub-Label family! As with each of our sub-labels we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome.
As the 70s progressed and the poliziottesco field grew more crowded, some directors sought new frontiers and different spaces, growing the genre into unusual locales and sometimes even shooting films abroad. In this second volume, we bring you a trio of Italian crime rarities which made creative use of atypical settings.
BLUE NUDE
Rocco has come to New York City from Italy, confident that as long as he hangs in there, he’ll one day make it in showbiz. In between wandering Times Square dazzled by its glitzy signage, a friend ropes him into acting in a hardcore film where he encounters Lilly, an established female porn actor. Barely scraping by, he finds himself taken advantage of by managers, young women, and crooked cops, all eager for a wide-eyed immigrant to abuse or extort. He hopes for a future with Lilly, but when harsh violence enters into Rocco's life, nothing can stop him from lashing out in this sordid world in which he's ended up. A one-of-a-kind document of late 70s street level Manhattan (and actual period sex film sets) from writer/director Luigi Scattini (Witchcraft 70), it stars Gerardo Amato (Sweets for a Stranger) as Rocco, Susan McBain (Barbara Broadcast), Renato Romano (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage), Robert Kerman (Debbie Does Dallas), and director/actor Carter Stevens (The Passions of Carol).
directed by: Luigi Scattini
starring: Gerardo Amato, Susan McBain, Renato Romano, Wade Nichols, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, Robert Kerman, Carter Stevens
1978 / 97 min / 1.85:1 / Italian Mono
Additional info:
--
NO ALLA VIOLENZA (NO TO VIOLENCE aka DEATH HUNT)
In the picturesque Sicilian port city of Messina, Inspector Ettore Manetti (Al Cliver) is beginning to crumble. Violent crime is rampant, bikers have just beaten and killed a police officer, and now he’s now been handed the job of catching three dangerous prison escapees. As the trio begins a series of kidnappings, they run down a little girl while narrowly evading capture. Tano, the girl’s father, begins his own vigilante crusade as he ferociously strikes down anyone in his path in search of the men responsible. Exceedingly, violence is no longer limited to just the criminals. Ostensibly a passion project from prolific Messina-born actor Tano Cimarosa (Reflections in Black), who's credited with writing, directing, and playing the vigilante role, this regional film liberally showcases both scenic locations and shocking brutality. Also starring Paola Quattrini (The Case of the Bloody Iris), Ninetto Davoli (The Decameron), and Federico Boido (I Am Sartana, Your Angel of Death).
directed by: Tano Cimarosa
starring: Al Cliver, Tano Cimarosa, Paola Quattrini, Ninetto Davoli, Zaira Zoccheddu, Federico Boido, Massimo Mollica, Guia Lauri Filzi
1977 / 95 min / 2.35:1 / Italian & English Mono
Additional info:
--
POLIZIA SELVAGGIA (SAVAGE POLICE) aka CANI (MURDERER)
Ahmet toils away in Istanbul’s lowest rung of petty crime, berated even by other thieves who call him the Leech. Stalking the streets for any potential score, he snatches a man’s briefcase and steals his car, accidentally killing a detective in the process. When a manhunt ensues, Ahmet strains to flee the country, emboldened by the fact that the briefcase was packed with cash. Murat (Turkish star Tarık Akan), partner of the dead detective, sets out on his own path of vengeance while Ahmet’s cruel desperation forces him into taking hostages in order to evade the police. This ambitious Turkish-Italian co-production written and directed by Guido Zurli (Black Deep Throat) heaps on psychotic sleaze and a truly vicious, depraved antagonist in Ahmet. Also starring Karin Well (Burial Ground), Edilio Kim (A White Dress for Marialé), and George Ardisson (The Long Hair of Death).
directed by: Guido Zurli
starring: Tarık Akan, Piero Fabiani, George Ardisson, Karin Well, Edilio Kim, Colette Descombes, Ihsan Gedik, Süheyl Egriboz
1977 / 91 min / 2.35:1 / Italian Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.7912087 / 5 from 91 reviews.
This limited edition 3-Disc Blu-ray set features a collection of rare Italian crime films, praised for their quality and entertainment value. Each film is newly scanned and restored in 2K from its original negative, with newly translated English subtitles and reversible sleeve artwork. Special features include commentary tracks and interviews with film historians and cast/crew.
Review topics: [quality, looks, packaging, set, effort, buy, film, collection, release, movie, restoration, features, genre, transfer, title, commentary, acting, extras, picture, gang, start, artwork, flick, writing, cop, dive, thriller, selection, narrative].
"This is my favorite vinegar syndrome release . At last a new release with 3 great eurocrime films . Staring Franco Nero , Thomas milian , Maurizio Merli. Great extras and good picture and sound . Biggest recommendation this year can’t wait for more volumes. Really nice packaging"
"Day of the Cobra is a lot of fun, but I don't think the other two films will be troubling anyone's top polizzioteschi lists (Merenda, Merli and Milian have all done much better). Still, the films look very good, and it's decent value for money. Hopefully the next set is stronger."
"All three films are strong - I’m a big fan of poliziotteschi in general and had never heard of any of these three, but they all are worth watching for fans of the genre. You get Tomas Milian, Franco Nero, Luc Merenda, and Maurizio Merli - all the great actors of the genre, plus decent writing and direction."
"Three bangin eurocrime flicks! Loves these Italian gems, all three flicks included in this set are great. Transfers are solid, audio totally fine, informative extras, and absolutely great artwork. Highly recommend picking this release up!"
"Love this trio of the Italian crime genre. Day Of the Cobra was my favorite by far and the effort into the transfer destroyed all the shitty bootlegs I've had throughout the years. I mean Sybil Danning and Franco Nero in the same picture is heaven. Great commentary too. Loved the other films but that was definitely the standout by far."
"Thanks to vinegar syndrome, for the first time on BD we have Castellari's classic, along with 2 other great Italian crime thrillers. We hope to be able to enjoy more volumes like this one. Thank you!"
"I have always had more of a soft spot for Italian horror and fantasy since their tendency to go more for atmosphere than really tight scripting lends itself more to that genre. While I've seen my fair share of police films from Italy, I've never seen one that equals Dirty Harry and The French Connection (while in the horror department, the likes of The Beyond and Suspiria rise above the occasion). That said, some films in the genre are really quite good, intense and have their completely un-PC moments that fans look for. These 3 films are lesser known and, to be frank, they are fairly entertaining but not really essential. If your are fan of the genre, you are treated to great restorations and a hard slipcase that looks very nice on your shelf."
"Great release of three Eurocrime movies. Nice to have these as I had never seen them before. Good quality restoration and packaging too."
"It's an ok set, but it's clear why the movies were packed together. They are all minor efforts in the poliziotteschi genre, even though they are entertaining. The weakest one is Il commissario di ferro, also because of its faulty image quality in many sequences. The source has some evident problems. The other two movies are ok in this respect. Overall an honest collection, recommended if you enjoy the genre."
"I’ve only watched the Franco Nero joint and it’s awesome. Great transfer and packaging."
0 Item(s)
