Search - La Scorta on DVD

A forgotten classic well worth remembering

Trevor Willsmer | London, England | 04/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"La Scorta is one of the best Italian films of the 90s, although that hasn't stopped it from disappearing from circulation for years until Blue Underground's DVD release. Unlike the Eurotrash which is that label's main stock-in-trade, this is a powerful and sober crime drama (rather than an out-and-out thriller) about the small group of bodyguards protecting a judge investigating mafia and government corruption in Sicily. It's certainly not a glamorous portrait: terminally underfunded, they only have two bullet-proof vests between them, and instead of armoured cars they get clapped-out unmarked vehicles the police can't even afford to keep the tanks full. There's not much in the way of action, but there's plenty of suspense over what MIGHT happen. Every abandoned car by the roadside could be a bomb, a stuck gate could be a prime opportunity for an assassin, so that when the expected does finally happen (and to the most obvious candidate in the most obvious fashion) it doesn't feel quite like such a cliche, more inevitability. The film does a good job of humanising its protagonists en route. While they all have the usual stereotyped dead meat trappings - families, girlfriends, pregnant wives - they spend much of the first half jockeying for position, making mistakes and inadvertently betraying their charge. Ricky Tognazzi directs with energy and imagination that belies the film's low budget and is well served by his ensemble cast.

Sadly, the DVD transfer, while acceptable, is not great, although the extras are good."

You won't even mind the captions - this is a good film!

Lois Epstein | syracuse, new york United States | 11/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the fact that I knew none of the actors and don't speak Italian, this was a very credible film (and why shouldn't it be - it was a true story). The characters were well formed and very well played and the story was compelling. I think not having "big stars" in this production made it better, as equal attention could be payed to all. This is a film well worth seeing and I will probably watch it many times again."

Cosa Nostra

Evelyn Felice | Phoenix ,Arizona, USA | 01/21/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another very good Italian movie! Again during a period of terrible unrest in Sicily with the local mafia and the courageous judges who try to make a difference in that faction torn region.

La Scorta, the escorts, or actually the Bodyguards, tells the story of four diverse men detailed to guard the life of yet another Judge sent from the North to try and keep peace and justice in this faction riddled land.

The men have some trouble getting along together but eventually end by forming a tight and close band dedicated to preserving the life of the Judge they are committed to protect.

For who knows this period of Sicilian history the ending is plausible. For others it might come as a surprise. The original Italian dialog is very good. Sub titles are available."