Almost Human - Marxist Exploitation Fun

Mar

11

Almost Human - Marxist Exploitation Fun

≡ Category: Action, Essential, Italy, Poliziotteschi |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

Country: Italy
Genre: Action/Poliziotteschi
Director: Umberto Lenzi
Year: 1975

Rating:

TRASH CINEMA ESSENTIAL MOVIE

In Almost Human, small-time psychotic criminal Giulio (Tomas Milian) decides to move up to the big time by kidnapping a rich man’s daughter. He is pursued by Walter Grandi (the great Henry Silva), the inspector in charge of the case.

One of the things that make Almost Human so much fun is the Marxist subtext. Clearly, the screenwriter believes that this character’s antisocial tendencies were instilled in him or at least aggravated by the social and economic milieau of the time. Giulio kills and rapes at the drop of the hat, particularly those at the upper end of the economic spectrum. You sense his resentment and joy when he has them at his (nonexistent) mercy. You almost get the impression that there is some wish fulfillment there on the part of the screenwriter. The supposedly effete upper class comes in for some ridicule as well.

One of the factors that may reduce your enjoyment of Almost Human is the acting, which is not terribly realistic, but typical of the time period and genre. Personally, I find it campy and amusing.