I picked up "Beast With A Gun" based on its reputation, hoping for a gritty exploitation thriller, and got something OK but not especially impressive or memorable.
Problem number one is the casting: Helmut Berger is obviously a talented actor, but his male model looks, hair, and stylish clothes undercut the menace and aggression the movie tries to imbue in the character. He's just too sleek, slick, and polished to be credible as a tougher-than-nails psychopath (although some of his cohorts look somewhat more convincing). Also, whoever dubbed him in the English-with-no-subtitles version I saw didn't have much vocal range or dynamics - every line basically came out the same way, which ended up being boring.
Problem number two is the cheapness of some of the action scenes. For instance, when the Beast breaks out of prison with 4 of his gang members, they are pursued by ONE (1) subcompact car with Richard Harrison at the wheel instead of the pack of police vehicles such an event would justify. Hal Needham could have made that chase exciting, even with these constraints, but this one is somewhat underwhelming.
Problem number three is that the essence of the movie is supposed to be an epic conflict between Berger and his Nemesis (Richard Harrison), but the police are singularly ineffective and unimpressive in this movie. It's as if Berger's character is unstoppable only because the plot requires it.
The best feature of the movie is definitely the soundtrack, which has an insistent, brutal quality that sticks in the mind long after the movie is over and adds heft and definition to some scenes that really needed the boost.
If I were in a different mood (or a different stage of my movie watching life), I might have enjoyed this more. I am sure its fans can argue for a direct, spare, straight to the point screenplay that offers what the title promises with no filler or frills. And I wouldn't argue with them.
So - not a bad film at all - just too simple minded and no fun to watch. Your mileage may vary.
Problem number one is the casting: Helmut Berger is obviously a talented actor, but his male model looks, hair, and stylish clothes undercut the menace and aggression the movie tries to imbue in the character. He's just too sleek, slick, and polished to be credible as a tougher-than-nails psychopath (although some of his cohorts look somewhat more convincing). Also, whoever dubbed him in the English-with-no-subtitles version I saw didn't have much vocal range or dynamics - every line basically came out the same way, which ended up being boring.
Problem number two is the cheapness of some of the action scenes. For instance, when the Beast breaks out of prison with 4 of his gang members, they are pursued by ONE (1) subcompact car with Richard Harrison at the wheel instead of the pack of police vehicles such an event would justify. Hal Needham could have made that chase exciting, even with these constraints, but this one is somewhat underwhelming.
Problem number three is that the essence of the movie is supposed to be an epic conflict between Berger and his Nemesis (Richard Harrison), but the police are singularly ineffective and unimpressive in this movie. It's as if Berger's character is unstoppable only because the plot requires it.
The best feature of the movie is definitely the soundtrack, which has an insistent, brutal quality that sticks in the mind long after the movie is over and adds heft and definition to some scenes that really needed the boost.
If I were in a different mood (or a different stage of my movie watching life), I might have enjoyed this more. I am sure its fans can argue for a direct, spare, straight to the point screenplay that offers what the title promises with no filler or frills. And I wouldn't argue with them.
So - not a bad film at all - just too simple minded and no fun to watch. Your mileage may vary.