'The Suspicious Death of a Minor' (1975) – Sergio Martino.

With the possible exception of fellow polymath, Lucio Fulci, maestro, Sergio Martino is, perhaps, one of the more conspicuously versatile Italian genre directors. Frequently displaying a mercurial talent in his bravura, delightfully eclectic canon of sublime, sin-drenched cinema, and one of the finer examples of his seemingly effortless mutability is the gripping Poliziotteschi /Giallo hybrid 'The Suspicious Death of a Minor'. A darkly compelling tale of moral depravity, murder, and political corruption expertly told with, Martino's signature flair for dazzling set pieces, featuring yet another wonderfully assured performance by the magnificent, Claudio Cassinelli.

Co-written by Poliziotteschi /Giallo illuminatus, Ernesto Gastaldi it should come as little surprise that this dynamic, decidedly sleazy blend of sleek, knife-flashing Gialli and gripping thick-eared Poliziotteschi proves so immersive an experience. The plot's nefarious twists and turns darkly interlace a more standard kidnapping trope with a far more unsavoury narrative of human trafficking, political duplicity and the callous murder of young women. The case galvanizes the profound passions of resolute, seemingly indomitable undercover cop, Paolo Germi, who takes on the evil perpetrators with all the pyrotechnical zeal of, Maurizio Merli or Franco Nero!

If one might excuse the obvious pun, Martino's fabulously tense, razor-edged Giallo remains a minor crime classic. The more lurid elements, zesty, freewheeling action and the impassioned dramatic developments are fascinatingly developed, working as both a nuenced politically minded thriller and tough hard-boiled Gialli. I honestly don't feel that I can praise, Cassinelli's full-blooded performance enough, he is absolutely mesmeric in the charismatic guise of twin-fisted, morally upright, deliciously sardonic cop, Paolo Germi. 'Morte Sospetta Di Una Minorenne' is nigh on flawless cinema, and the exquisite soundtrack by, Luciano Michelini is a sonically splendiferous affair, an altogether rousing, spine tingling feast for the soul!