Umberto Lenzi is undoubtedly the king of Italian crime movies, but unfortunately| Syndicate Sadists is not the best examples of his work in this genre. Lenzi's crime flicks tend to be a cut above the rest because he makes films based on stories with a point, and they don't lack direction| but this film feels a bit too wayward to fully fit with the rest of his stuff. The film takes obvious influence from Sergio Leone's landmark western 'A Fistful of Dollars' (which in turn, took influence from Akira Kurosawa's landmark samurai flick Yojimbo), in that it features two warring families and a strong character at the centre. The crime that Lenzi focuses on is kidnapping, and we centre on a character called 'Rambo'. Rambo is dragged into the war between the two families after his brother is killed because of it. Rambo uses his brains and brawn to pit the two families against one another, in the hope of gaining revenge for his brother's death, rescuing a young boy that they've kidnapped, and ultimately letting the two sides destroy one another.
The film's biggest asset is undoubtedly Tomas Milian. Milian was put to great use by Lenzi in almost all of his crime thrillers. The range of characters he has played for Lenzi is immense, and this one is easily one of the coolest. The character is called Rambo, which immediately sprang to mind the popular Sylvester Stallone character - but for once, the Italians actually haven't stolen this name as Syndicate Sadists was released first! As usual, the film is wickedly entertaining, as we get to watch Milian get himself involved in the usual array of car chases, shootouts and brawls. Lenzi has got him riding a motorbike this time round, and every scene featuring it and Milian is a real standout! However, the film often feels like it doesn't really have anywhere to go, and this means that the running time is stretched out more than it should be. Compared to the crime films of other Italian directors, Syndicate Sadists is more than above average| but in relation to Lenzi crime flicks such as Almost Human and The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist - it doesn't stand tall as one of Lenzi's best. Still, if you're looking for ninety minutes of testosterone fuelled mayhem - Syndicate Sadists will suffice!。所有的悲剧皆因初恋的破灭开始。 1985年,中学时代的一对挚友胜浩和东植同时暗恋纯洁的少女明熙,两人决定赌一下明熙心中到底喜欢喜欢谁。谁知,次日惨剧发生——明熙被奸杀,呈现在众人面前的是一具冰冷的尸体。警察出动,在村庄里展开侦讯,最后怀疑的目光集中在东植那个精神不太正常的哥哥庆植身上…… 1991年,已是大学生的胜浩因参加学生运动被关进教导所,在那里遇到了正在服刑的庆植,又勾起了往昔的回忆。胜浩一直对明熙的真实遭遇耿耿于怀,他决定从庆植这里挖掘到真相…… 时间转到1998年。由于庆植的获罪,一家人的命运发生了变故。东植的姐姐珍熙为了生存在首尔以卖笑为生,后被杀害。作为该案的检察官,胜浩介入其中,再次和东植相见。令胜浩百思不得其解的是,每当遇到突发事件,都会出现东植的身影,而这些当事人都与他有着千丝万缕的联系。胜浩顿时疑窦丛生……。