VIDEO REVIEW: Kriminal

REVIEW: The Mark of Kriminal

The Mark of Kriminal

Director: Fernando Cerchio & Nando Cicero

Year 1968

The Mark of Kriminal is the second and last entry in the Kriminal caper series, featuring a mysterious masked thief named Kriminal who is as cunning as he is debonair. Based on a comic strip of the same name, the film takes place almost directly after the events in the first film, which concluded with the capture of Kriminal, yet it introduces us to the fact that you just can't keep a good criminal down as the master thief is back to his old tricks again. Shot in the same fun and vibrant style as the original, this enjoyable sequel globe-trots from London, to Spain, and to Lebanon, while maintaining enough twists and turns in the narrative to make it a worthy successor to Umberto Lenzi's 1966 effort.

The film follows the exploits of Kriminal as he comes into possession of a Buddha figurine that houses a portion of a treasure map. The quarry of this map just so happens to be a hidden collection of famous paintings made by Goya and Rembrandt, and Kriminal aims to retrieve them by any means necessary. Trouble is that there are two more missing pieces to the map, which are also hidden away inside two other Buddha statues and its up to Kriminal to hunt down the remaining few before anyone else learns of his schemes. Hot on his trail is Inspector Milton, who has not given up his fevered pursuit in bringing Kriminal to justice, while a new foe enters the picture in the form of the vivacious Mara Gitan, a fellow treasure hunter and opportunistic femme fatale who matches Kriminal's moves at every turn. Who will recover the priceless works of art is anyone’s guess, but it's sure to be an entertaining and fun-filled ride.

Glenn Saxson reprises his role as the titular master thief and it seems as if he is rather comfortable with the character in this entry. Though I thoroughly enjoyed his portrayal in the first film, I feel that he brings a bit more personality this time around, allowing for his wit and ingenuity to take center stage. There's no doubt about it, Kriminal is one sly son of a bitch, and Saxson milks this for all its worth. The enormously suave personality of his character is larger than life, showcasing enough charm and charisma that you'd think you stumbled onto a long lost Eurospy gem. One things for certain, Glenn Saxson owns the role of Kriminal for all its worth and after his tremendous efforts in both the original 1966 production and The Mark of Kriminal, he's solidified his position as the ultimate cinematic iteration of the character.

Accompanying Saxson on this wild caper is Helga Line, as she takes on the role of Mara Gitan the sexy seductress who shapes up to be Kriminal's equal. Helga is no stranger to the world of Kriminal, for she played a double role in the 1966 entry as both Inge and Trude, twin sisters who cross paths with Kriminal. In this film her character takes a drastic turn from those other iterations, as she plays more of a thorn in the side of the title character. As dangerous and conniving as she is beautiful, Helga's Mara Gitan character is a sly and illusive one, willing to do all and anything in order to obtain her end goal. The interactions between herself and Saxson are astoundingly fun and it's enthralling to watch the pair lie and cheat their way to the riches, as they vie for position against each other. As always, Helga is a vision to behold and the film gives her ample opportunity in showing off her fashion sense with her various outfits and sometimes lack there of. I've always been a fan of her work ever since I first caught her in The Loreley's Grasp, and in this production she absolutely shines.

As with the first Kriminal film, the movie is filled to the brim with wacky antics and interesting capers. Many of these whimsical moments are provided by the character of Inspector Milton, played by Andrea Bosic. Bosic reprises his role from the original film, bringing that same energized and persistent approach that made his character so enjoyable the first time around. In The Mark of Kriminal, his main antics are centered around the fact that he is engaged to wed and his personal vendetta against Kriminal keeps getting in the way of his wedding day. With a number of memorable moments involving a fiery bride berating him for keeping up this foolhardy quest in bringing Kriminal to justice, Bosic establishes that central thematic arc that was prevalent in the original film while branching out as the movie moves along into rather unexpected territories. His performance in this film is a real treat and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Of course Andrea Bosic isn't the only reason this film is so madcap. The most enjoyable aspects of this production can be attributed to Glenn Saxson's performance and the wild adventures that he gets himself into. From scaring old women to death and then collecting their insurance money, to electrocuting his former lover right before she is about to poison him, to framing a handsome single young man as Kriminal, to basically being an all around cocky sure-headed scoundrel, this film is a roller coaster in depicting the wild nature of Kriminal's world and more-so his questionable persona. You really have to give it up to the filmmakers for injecting this entry with the same wicked wit and charm that the original had, while still being able to maintain the fun-filled nature that Kriminal encompasses. The Mark of Kriminal has definitely got the goods and then some, so don't let it pass you by.

The Mark of Kriminal is an Italian caper which takes all of the aspects that made the original film so enjoyable, and adds to the formula in some rather stupendous ways. By bringing back Glenn Saxson for the title role and also snagging another opportunity to place Mara Gitan in the world of Kriminal, the filmmakers cemented their success with exquisite precision. Saxson knocks the character out of the park, while Helga spices up the proceedings with her undeniable allure and sexy swagger, making for a cinematic pairing that is absolute bliss. Andrea Bosic is also another returning asset to the production that really adds a great deal of energy to the film.

As for the overall story of The Mark of Kriminal, the treasure hunt mystery is one that will keep you guessing as the story gradually unfolds. In between this globe trotting journey, we are given countless opportunities to see Kriminal in action both in the living flesh and behind the iconic mask. Not only that, but Kriminal has a wild collection of ridiculously fashioned disguises that have to be seen to be believed. What really takes the cake in this production is the utterly, out of left field, ending that literally side-swipes you and pulls the rug out from under you. It's wild and abrupt, but it succinctly puts an end to the proceedings in the most unusual of ways and I'm willing to bet it will get a chuckle out of most who view it. If you're looking for a good time and you thoroughly enjoyed the original Kriminal film, then give this one a go. The Mark of Kriminal is an.....

That's right Kriminal! Get you some!

Kriminal says.... "Cry me a river". What a bastard!

Lady, your hat is almost as stupid as my fake mustache.

I'm giving you a casual middle-finger. Kriminal you bastard!

Sweet Sassafras!!!!

Careful with that Buddha statue you stupid shit!

Ever have sex with a masked weirdo?

What are you looking at four-eyes?

Please don't look at me when I sip my tea.

So is that weird little man with the fez still watching us?

Holy Mary mother of GOD! It's Helga!

Get your feet off of the table you savage!

I think we took a wrong turn. This place is a shithole.

Now that's one hot bookworm.

Talk about the Iron Chic!

Watch the road asshole!

Nobody leaves Helga Line handcuffed to a jeep.... NOBODY!

Let me tell you something buddy.... I'm the MAN!

REVIEW: Kriminal

Kriminal
Director: Umberto Lenzi
Year 1966

Kriminal is a mishmash of 60's film elements, based off the popular 1964 italian comic book of the same name, that showcases the crazy antics of a master thief named Kriminal. With his creepy skeletal disguise, he robs from the rich to make himself richer, all the while being chased by the determined Inspector Milton who will stop at nothing until Kriminal is behind bars.

The film is just wacky as all hell, with enough sixties euro-vibe atmosphere to shake a stick at. The real fun is in Kriminal's nonchalant attitude, as he pulls off some very imaginative capers. He's so cool and calculative, that he appears unstoppable in his pursuit for the riches. There's even some great twists and turns in the narrative that prove Kriminal to be one hell of a tricky bastard and the film to be an entertaining ride where anything can happen.

Nice ascot.... Ass!

Kriminal, that creepy pervert.

The first aspect of this film that really drew me in, was the genre hopping that occurs throughout the film. At its heart, Kriminal is a heist caper that focuses on one master thief as he goes about pulling off a daring robbery that continuously escalates as the story moves on. Underneath that simple premise lies a more mishmashed mixture of sub-genres including horror, comedy, and Eurospy elements. The layers are all there, but they melt so well with the world of which Kriminal inhabits that they really don't jump out at you at first sight. 

What really works for me the most out of all of those sub categories is the Eurospy element. If Kriminal wasn't a thief, he would have made one hell of a secret agent. He globe trots like a madman, romancing every woman that he comes into contact with, often leaving them dead or dying. If that wasn't enough to set him in the mold of the typical super spy, the guy also has charisma to boot. With such a strong Eurospy atmosphere, I debated on whether to add this to my i Spy Eurospy segment, but opted out at the last second seeing that in essence Kriminal is not a good guy. He's a bastard, but oh how good at being a bastard he is. 

Kriminal says, "If you can't take the heat, get your ass out the sauna."

I just can't look at you when you're wearing that ridiculous outfit.

Kriminal is not your usual central character for a movie. He doesn't rescue the girl or save the day, but instead is out for himself. Everything that he does throughout the film is to benefit himself and he often does this at the expense of other people's lives. With all of this bad publicity and selfishness that comes with Kriminal's personal baggage, you surprisingly end up rooting for the guy. It's a strange outcome for someone who is such a prick, but the plans that he executes are so outlandish and bold that you can't help but hope he gets away with it.

It also doesn't hurt that Kriminal has a confidence and self assurance that hasn't been seen on the screen since Sean Connery's turn as James Bond and that is all credited to the fine acting prowess of Glen Saxson. This guy never falters, even at the sight of capture. He just grins and presses on, lying his way out of any jam and diverting the attention of his pursuers with ease. Kriminal is one smooth criminal and he makes it look so easy too.

Kriminal AKA Handsome man about town.

WANTED: That mustache!

Now what I respect Kriminal most for is his fashion sense. The guy is supposed to be a master thief, stealthy to the last, but what kind of outfit does he decide on? A bright yellow skeletal halloween costume that practically screams out "Over here!" With such a vibrant and unstealthy selection, he shockingly never gets caught. Now that's one hell of a master thief.

When not burglarizing the well to do, Kriminal wears the most distinguished in sixties swinging attire. The man can rock an ascot like it's nobodies business and when it comes to sleek suits, he's right up there with some of the most stylish secret agents of the era. In fact the overall style of the film is very lush and exotic, making it a pleasant walk through the fashion of the time. It also doesn't hurt that you've got one of the most beautiful woman of italian cinema to showcase some of these outstanding wardrobes.

Hello Helga Line. You are a stupid head.

Kriminal is one dirty bastard.

Helga Line of Mission Bloody Mary, Special Mission Lady Chaplin, Horror Rises From the Tomb, Loreley's Grasp, and countless numbers of Peplum films, plays a duel role in both Inge and Trude, two sisters who are in possession of Kriminal's next heist. She's outstanding in this film, showcasing why she is such an icon of this era of filmmaking. Able to convey both the victim and the assailant, Line milks all aspects of the spectrum as she plays both sides for all it's worth.

She's made for these kind of mirrored roles, ones that allow here to stretch herself and skew that moral compass. A wolf in sheep's clothing would be a very accurate description for a good majority of her most iconic roles, and this one is no exception. She passes with flying colors and adds a certain erotic tone to the film that would be sorely lacking without her captivating presence.

Where the hell am I?

Roger Big Daddy we got the blonde bandit. Over and out.

With all the colorful cast members and the genre borrowing of the film, the movie has a style all of its own. Taking tremendous efforts to broaden the visual look of a caper film and blend it with the world found within the Kriminal comic book. It's fantastic and surreal as it amplifies an already engaging element of the heist film, and melds it with a realm only found within the kaleidoscopic panels of a cartoon strip.

This is not only implied throughout the film, but accented in the closing moments of the film where we are treated to a stylistic illustration of Kriminal's final moments as a free man. The technique is kind of jarring visually, but aesthetically it fits in perfectly with the playful nature of the film. It also acts as a clever homage to its own source material while at the same time leaving on an outstanding and illustrious note.

Overall this film is just a whole hell of a lot of fun. There's a ton of memorable moments where Kriminal barely escapes capture, only to be later revealed that it was all according to his master plan. The brilliant locations and varying exotic cities that Kriminal visits add to the overall scope of this enjoyable piece and enhance the wonder and style of the Eurospy elements. Even though this is a caper film, it spans such a large portion of the globe and never feels small in scope, that you tend to forget its meager heist origins and take it as a new kind of beast. One that doesn't rely on the trappings of the genre, but in fact embraces all forms of cinematic splendor to tell its story.

In the end, Kriminal is just a film full of flavor and fun, dashed with a spicy undertaking of Eurospy goodness that doesn't take itself too seriously and rather relishes in the delights of the era. It's a feast for the eyes that never lingers, allowing us to get swept up in the outlandish story and unforgettable characters. I had one hell of a time with this film, just sitting back and watching Kriminal do his thing. He may be a bastard that only looks out for number one, but I'll always have a soft spot for this prickish rogue.

If you need a good pick me up and you love sixties italian cinema, then I highly recommend Kriminal for its extremely high entertainment value. Kriminal teaches us that being bad can be oh so good.


4 out of 5 stars               A Kriminal-tastic Heist Film!

TITLE SEQUENCE: Kriminal

It's time for another title sequence and I've chosen the wacky and wonderful Umberto Lenzi film, Kriminal. Based off of an italian comic created in 1964, the movie features a masked master thief by the name of Kriminal who overcomes insurmountable odds again and again, in his pursuit of diamonds and jewels.

In the film's title sequence, Lenzi and company have opted to pay homage to Kriminal's comic book roots by composing a handful of comic strip images to accompany the cast's credits. Intermixing cartoon stills with live action shots gives the introduction to this film an added spice of fun and also gives way for some very iconic imagery. The sequence perfectly represents the absolute blast that this film is to watch and it gives a good abbreviation of the kind of antics that Kriminal finds himself in.

So without any further explanation, here is the good stuff. Enjoy.