Mediocre Spanish/Italian co-production by Jaime Jesús Balcázar with noisy action , betrayal and shootouts

Fulgencio (Fernando Sancho in his habitual Mexican/style role from Spaghetti Westerns) and Scott (Claudio Camaso who early commited suicide and was Gian Maria Volonte's brother) flee the place where they have just committed a robbery. As Fulgencio escapes , while one gets it , Scott is captured by the police. After serving years in prison, Scott looks for his former partner, who fled to Mexico with the money and, with the money, bought a bar. Scott's plan is to force Fulgencio, under the threat of reporting him, to collaborate with him in another robbery. All of them find at a saloon run by gorgeous Bessie (Anita Ekberg) , where Scott meets Fulgencio and his son Chino (Tomas Milian).

Thrilling picture with a complex intrigue , nice character studio , suspense , a lot of killings and twisted deeds . Short on ambition "Chronicle of a robbery" with a great European cast has in its favor the suggestive North American setting that is meritorious considering that the film was filmed in Barcelona and some suggestive shots . However, this story, which at first seemed promising, does not fully engage the viewer, perhaps because of a monotonous development and a limitation of scenarios where Balcázar fails to properly coordinate the action . In some moments it is palpable that the work could have been better if the rhythm of the narration had been taken more care of and if run-of-the-mill moments had been avoided . One of the most grueling Euro-coproductions movies all done in medium budgets and middlingly shot , taking place at the ramshackle bar where most of the drama unfolds . Imitating the American thriller ; however , it has very little to do with the classic action or Noir USA films at the time . The picture has a Noir treatment though excessively stagy , but stars can quite compensate for some claustrophobic moments . This second-rate and slow-paced picture draws its tale and power from the interaction of finely drawn roles as well as drama and action . Twisted film Noir about thieves , gangsters , robbing , treason , troubled relationships and dark secrets . It is a tough and tortuous thriller that has a routine realization , an unoriginal script , sinister atmosphere , intriguing events , that's why madness and murder prevail .

The result is average within its limitations and with its ups and downs , it benefits thanks to the interesting personalities of most of the actors that make up the cast , while the actresses Anita Ekberg and Mónica Randall are wasted in roles that do not allow them to shine . Despite the clichés and the errors in the planning , the film is carried out with a certain modesty that is not bad at all and the already mentioned successes in the setting provide a relative interest to the whole that is not entirely insipid . Main stars : Toman Milian , Fernando Sancho and Claudio Camaso give functional interpretations in their ordinary styles . Being accompanied by a fine cast with plenty of familar faces in the Sixties and Seventies , such as : Anita Ekberg , Mónica Randall, Hugo Blanco , Óscar Pellicer , Osvaldo Genazzani , Tomas Torres, among others.

The motion picture was regularly directed by Jaime Jesús Balcázar, though here he falls short . Balcazar's very promising debut was ¨El filo del miedo¨, shot in 1964 but premiered three years later with little success, this movie is a good example that with a little budget but with expert skillness results can be achieved in the crime genre. Jaime Jesús Balcázar began filming with "El filo del miedo", which was a film of dazzling complexity and considerable quality, but then never reached the level of that first attempt, since his later films were characterized by having a very low level. After "The Edge of Fear" Jaime Balcazar wrote/produced/directed irrelevant subsequent products . He was author of the outrageous script for ¨Superargo contra Diabolikus¨, and he managed to make some entertaining movies , though sometimes very mediocre . Juan Jose Balcazar alongside his brothers Francisco Balcazar and Alfonso Balcázar produced and directed a lot of Tortilla or Butifarra Western , most of them starred by Jorge Martin or George Martin , Luis Davila , Daniel Martin or Robert Woods ; such as 1972 The return of Clint , 1972 Judas... ¡Toma Monedas! , 1968 Sartana no Perdone or Sonora , 1967 With Death on Your Back, 1966 Dinamita Jim , 1965 Doc , Manos De Plata , 1965 Viva Carrancho , 1965 Five Thousand Dollars on One Ace . But J. J Balcazar also made other genres such as : Action as 1968 Crónica de un atraco , 1967 El hombre del puño de oro , 1967 El filo del miedo and Erotic as : Catherine Chérie , 1982 , Playa azul , 1979 Inés de Villalonga 1870 and 1970 El misterio de la vida and hisonly Musical : Españolear . Rating 4.5 /10 . Average though some brief moments fun . If you like traditional Spanish/Italian thrillers remains watchable.

Spanish-language cinema across Spain and Latin America is united by its engagement with history, cultural identity, and social transformation. In Spain, films often balance artistic experimentation with popular genres while reflecting on memory, politics, and family. In Latin America, cinema has been deeply tied to questions of colonial legacy, resistance, and community resilience, ranging from intimate dramas to bold political allegories.

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The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

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Fulgencio and Scott flee the place where they have just committed a robbery. As Fulgencio escapes, the police capture Scott. After serving years in prison, Scott looks for his former partner, who fled to Mexico with the money.

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Crónica de un atraco

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