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IMDbPro

Kidnap Syndicate

Original title: La città sconvolta: caccia spietata ai rapitori
  • 19751975
  • RR
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
696
YOUR RATING
Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
  • Crime
  • Thriller
Based on an actual event "The Kidnap Syndicate" is the story of two boys, one from a rich family and the other from a poor family, who are kidnapped and held for ransom.Based on an actual event "The Kidnap Syndicate" is the story of two boys, one from a rich family and the other from a poor family, who are kidnapped and held for ransom.Based on an actual event "The Kidnap Syndicate" is the story of two boys, one from a rich family and the other from a poor family, who are kidnapped and held for ransom.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
696
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Fernando Di Leo
  • Writers
    • Fernando Di Leo(screenplay)
    • Ernesto Gastaldi(screenplay)
    • Galliano Juso(story)
  • Stars
    • Luc Merenda
    • James Mason
    • Irina Maleeva
Top credits
  • Director
    • Fernando Di Leo
  • Writers
    • Fernando Di Leo(screenplay)
    • Ernesto Gastaldi(screenplay)
    • Galliano Juso(story)
  • Stars
    • Luc Merenda
    • James Mason
    • Irina Maleeva
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos16

    Luc Merenda in Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    James Mason and Luc Merenda in Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Luc Merenda in Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Luc Merenda in Shoot First, Die Later (1974)
    Kidnap Syndicate (1975)
    Irina on the set of "Kidnap Syndicate" in Rome.
    Irina with James Mason in "Kidnap Syndicate," filmed in Rome.

    Top cast

    Edit
    Luc Merenda
    Luc Merenda
    • Mario Colellaas Mario Colella
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Filippinias Filippini
    Irina Maleeva
    Irina Maleeva
    • Linaas Lina
    Marino Masé
    Marino Masé
    • Pardias Pardi
    Daniele Dublino
    Daniele Dublino
    • Lawyer Bonannias Lawyer Bonanni
    Vittorio Caprioli
    Vittorio Caprioli
    • Commissar Magrinias Commissar Magrini
    Valentina Cortese
    Valentina Cortese
    • Grazia Filippinias Grazia Filippini
    Marco Liofredi
    • Fabrizio Colellaas Fabrizio Colella
    Francesco Impeciati
    Francesco Impeciati
    • Antonio Filippinias Antonio Filippini
    Alessio Juso
    • Bambinoas Bambino
    Enzo Pulcrano
    • Labbroneas Labbrone
    Giulio Baraghini
    • Brigadieras Brigadier
    Renato Baldini
    Renato Baldini
    • Antonio Polievitias Antonio Polieviti
    Serena Bennato
    • Slavaas Slava
    Flora Carosello
    • Wifeas Wife
    Raul Lovecchio
    • Latrellaas Latrella
    • (as Raoul Lo Vecchio)
    Renato Romano
    Renato Romano
    • Kidnapperas Kidnapper
    Willi Colombini
      • Director
        • Fernando Di Leo
      • Writers
        • Fernando Di Leo(screenplay)
        • Ernesto Gastaldi(screenplay)
        • Galliano Juso(story)
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

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      Did you know

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      • Connections
        Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

      User reviews10

      Review
      Top review
      8/10
      Intense drama & raw revenge thriller in one!
      Of all the multi-talented Italian cult directors of the 60's and 70's, Fernando Di Leo was the one who pleased us with the best and most adrenalin-rushing crime thrillers. His most famous "Italian organized crime" trilogy (existing of "Caliber 9", "Manhunt" and "The Boss") is downright brilliant, but Di Leo also made a number of flicks that are a lot less acclaimed but at least equally terrific and revolutionary. This "Kidnap Syndicate" is arguably his biggest hidden gem and I'm enormously grateful to the good people over at the Nocturno label for releasing the film in a splendid DVD-format. Cult collectors all around the world: if you come across ANY movie released by this label, never hesitate for one second to pick up a copy!!

      "Kidnap Syndicate" is a lot less turbulent and 'in-your-face' explosive than the average Italian crime flick (usually revolving on rough unorthodox coppers chasing relentless criminals), but there's a strong focus on character drawing and story elaboration. Colella is a hard working but struggling mechanic who solely raises his son Fabrizio ever since the wife passed away. The boy is friends with Antonio, son of the extremely rich but incredibly repugnant businessman Filippini. When criminals kidnap Antonio in front of school, the brave Fabrizio tries to prevent this and the nervous kidnappers pull him into the car as well. They demand a huge ransom for the boys, but the pigheaded Filippini refuses to give in to criminals and put the lives of the boys at stake, whilst Colella and even the police commissioner can't do anything. The kidnappers eventually prove their seriousness, and the statement is obviously made via the "poor" child. Colella goes after them, but soon stumbles upon a very complex and well-protected network. The first half is, as to be expected, very talkative and with a vast emphasis on melodrama. There are some truly powerful sequences, most notably when practically the entire cast of characters literally begs Filippini (magnificent, though extremely ungrateful role of the brilliant James Mason) to stop playing with the lives of innocent children and just pay the damn ransom. The second half offers some bona fide Italian hard- boiled action, with wild car chases and grim, graphically shown executions. It's terrific how Colella purchases his targets, but also simultaneously humiliates and provokes them. His character is probably the vigilante/avenger that you sympathize with the most. The climax could have been a bit better and more imaginative, according to me at least, and I'm missing a more memorable soundtrack. Other than those minor remarks, "Kidnap Syndicate" is a truly exhilarating Italian cult film that I'm glad and proud to have seen.
      helpful•9
      2
      • Coventry
      • Mar 5, 2012

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 27, 1975 (Italy)
      • Country of origin
        • Italy
      • Language
        • Italian
      • Also known as
        • Auge um Auge
      • Filming locations
        • Rome, Lazio, Italy
      • Production company
        • Cinemaster S.r.l.
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 38 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.85 : 1

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