Cool idea, but awfully talky and slow-paced film

One year after his outstanding psychedelic Giallo "Un Bianco Vestito per Marialè" (aka "Spirits of Death"), Romano Scavolini directed this crime drama based on his own screenplay. It tells the story of Martin, an Englishman living in Palermo, earning just enough money to make a living. He's giving lessons to the paralyzed son of a Sicilian mafia boss, and the clan members decide that Martin is an ideal man to be turned into a contract killer: no relatives or real friends in Palermo. So they abduct him and take him on a secret place, where Martin submits and starts his "killer training". Soon after, he knows every gun and is able to distinguish bullet types just by their sound when they are fired. He starts doing his work, and proves that he's a really good killer. But his mind becomes tormented more and more by doubts about his ruthless new job.

This film bares a very good idea: While most contract killers in the Seventies seem to be Bronson-like macho archetypes without feelings, "Servo Suo" draws the picture of a tragic killer. And the personal issues of Martin is given enough space to be explored by the viewer. Sadly, those issues are dealt with in an enormously tedious way that one can be glad not to fall asleep or, even worse, lose interest. This slow-paced and talky development of the film also prevents one from feeling with the tragic killer character. Another mistake Scavolini made was to show Martin's numerous assassinations by gunning down his victims, but there is never any blood flowing: this plays down drastically the viciousness of Martin's job. It would have been important to show the blood, to show how dirty the job of a contract killer is. Whoever makes it through to the climax will be disappointed too, because it comes too easy and fast and doesn't really deliver the necessary payoff.

All in all a major disappointment, even more so considering the promising storyline: It could have been done so much more thrilling.

Italian cinema has deeply influenced world cinema through its socially conscious realism and modernist experimentation, but it also flourished in popular genres like peplum (sword & sandal), giallo thrillers, and broad comedies. Its narratives often weave together politics, contemporary social change, class consciousness, and family dynamics, balancing artistic ambition with entertainment that resonated widely.

Lamberto Maggiorani in Bicycle Thieves (1948)

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.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

A lonely school teacher is kidnapped by the mob to carry out an important hit.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

See who dazzled on the red carpet and took home gold at the 78th Primetime Creative Emmy Awards.

Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Photos We Love

Giuseppe Spezia in The Face with Two Left Feet (1979)

Mariangela Melato and Renato Pozzetto in Policewoman (1974)

Helmut Berger and Marisa Mell in Beast with a Gun (1977)

Pierre Clémenti and Tomas Milian in The Designated Victim (1971)

Servo suo

Photos2

Top Cast15

User reviews2

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed