Blu-Ray Review: Stunt Squad

By Brad Henderson

I don’t know if I would be the same person today if not for Italian cinema. My film school was watching Italian action and horror movies; they taught me everything I know. Some people have a beef with the stories, while others can’t stand the dubbing, but that’s just how it is. Some of the original Italian tracks were lost and some were made for America with Italian actors who were then dubbed over during post-production with audio that was never meant to be released. Even if the dubbing is bad, I try to overlook that because it can’t be helped. I’m just thankful I can actually see the films because some weren’t preserved very well. Luckily, there are still some companies keeping these films alive by exposing the world to them.

There is something about crime dramas and action films that the Italians just get right. There is a rawness and realism that works. The shootouts and car chases are completely believable and intensified by quick editing and a jazz score. I know that sounds weird but, oddly enough, it works very well and I dig it. We also know the music is one of the things that people enjoy in these films; even those who don’t love the movies love the music, so that’s one thing that these films always have going for them.

Raro Video is a company from whom I usually blind buy anything they release. I’m familiar with some of their films, but there are those that are completely new to me or that I’ve heard about but have never been able to get my hands on. One of those films is Stunt Squad. Whoa. It’s fantastic.

Stunt Squad has it all: action, a great score, a likable villain, and a likable hero. The story is quite fun as well. Someone is bombing public places and killing many innocent people but the police are having a hard time finding the motive and who is doing it. The lead police captain has a good inclination of who it is so he puts together a special team known as the Stunt Squad to go undercover and find this guy. That small synopsis sounds bigger than it actually is but it works. Fans of Fernando Di Leo will dig this film. It feels like a Di Leo film due to the chase sequences, camera movement, and cinematography.

Raro usually does great transfers but this one lacks in the clarity department. Since they’re putting out something that was previously hard to get a hold of, I can let it go. Also, Stunt Squad is supposed to be a gritty crime drama and this transfer gives it that look. A lot of Italian flicks that hit Blu usually lack in the special features department which sucks, but they probably don’t want to put a ton of money into special features for a release that won’t sell that well. Still, Stunt Squad is one that you should pick up.

Stunt Squad was released by Raro Video in September.