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A top undercover cop finds and arrests a series of purse snatchers until he discovers an American at the top of an evil ring of thieves.
Nico Giraldi
Norman Shelley / Richard J. Russo
Silvia Cattani
Achille "Baronetto" Bertinari
Colombo
Shelley's Henchman
Lando "Grottaferrata" Rossi
Marshal Trentini
Zagaja
Gibo
Police Commissioner Tozzi
Otello
Adelaide
Chiappetta
Carabineer
Cinese
Garba
Gaetano Bozzetti
Andrea Mangiagalli
***Roman Serpico, sort of*** Released in 1976, “The Cop in Blue Jeans” is a loner-cop thriller in the mold of “Dirty Harry” (1971) and “Serpico” (1973). The titular protagonist even looks like Serpico. The difference is that this is an Italian production directed & co-written by Bruno Corbucci. The plot revolves around an undercover cop named Nico Giraldi (Tomas Milian) who arrests several thugs of the purse snatching variety and zeroes-in on the mastermind of the ring (Jack Palance). The Italian title is “Squadra Antiscippo,” which means “Swindle Squad” and I assume refers to the theft ring. Anyway, the movie’s an interesting way to observe the more obscure parts of Rome in the mid-70s. The story’s relatively compelling and there’s a lot of undercover cop type of action (naturally). Maria Rosaria Omaggio is easy on the eyes, but not enough is done with her. Nico’s pet mouse, named Serpico, is a nice addition. While this is a decent Euro flick and worth catching for the highlights noted, don’t expect the greatness of any of the Dirty Harry installments. The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes and was shot in Rome. GRADE: B-/C+
March 11, 1976
Nico Giraldi
Norman Shelley / Richard J. Russo
Silvia Cattani
Achille "Baronetto" Bertinari
Colombo
Shelley's Henchman
Lando "Grottaferrata" Rossi
Marshal Trentini
Zagaja
Gibo
Police Commissioner Tozzi
Otello
Adelaide
Chiappetta
Carabineer
Cinese
Garba
Gaetano Bozzetti
Andrea Mangiagalli
***Roman Serpico, sort of*** Released in 1976, “The Cop in Blue Jeans” is a loner-cop thriller in the mold of “Dirty Harry” (1971) and “Serpico” (1973). The titular protagonist even looks like Serpico. The difference is that this is an Italian production directed & co-written by Bruno Corbucci. The plot revolves around an undercover cop named Nico Giraldi (Tomas Milian) who arrests several thugs of the purse snatching variety and zeroes-in on the mastermind of the ring (Jack Palance). The Italian title is “Squadra Antiscippo,” which means “Swindle Squad” and I assume refers to the theft ring. Anyway, the movie’s an interesting way to observe the more obscure parts of Rome in the mid-70s. The story’s relatively compelling and there’s a lot of undercover cop type of action (naturally). Maria Rosaria Omaggio is easy on the eyes, but not enough is done with her. Nico’s pet mouse, named Serpico, is a nice addition. While this is a decent Euro flick and worth catching for the highlights noted, don’t expect the greatness of any of the Dirty Harry installments. The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes and was shot in Rome. GRADE: B-/C+
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