Four for All (1975)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Although forgotten about today - I'd never heard of it despite being a huge fan of the Euro cult genre - FIGHTING KILLERS turns out to be a very strong and very tough Turkish thriller, made with a bit of Italian money behind it. Irfan Atasoy plays Tony Tiger (!), a tough gangster whose family is slaughtered in an astonishingly violent home invasion set-piece which seems to have been inspired by the nihilistic DEATH WISH. Atasoy goes on a vendetta of revenge against the mob responsible, but first he has to call in some old war-time buddies to help out. The good news for fans is that two of said buddies are none other than Richard Harrison and Gordon Mitchell, the beloved stars of Italian action cinema! Both are great, but Mitchell has the edge here, playing a judo instructor and complete bad-ass. The scene in which he beats up the inhabitants of a Turkish bath before chasing his intended victim down the street in just his bath towel has to be seen to be believed, and reminded me of RED HEAT. Harrison plays a womanising playboy in the Bond mould, and seems to be having a great time. The film is action-packed from beginning to end, chock-full of shoot-outs, chases, and assassinations, and the English dubbing isn't too bad either. I had a ball with it.

One of many Turkey/Italy co-productions made in the 1970s (along the lines of THE LION MAN films). FOUR FOR ALL does not have any other of the big Turkish stuff in in that were popular in the 1970s; though. There is no superheroes, super villains, no Santo, no fantasy or mythological elements. Back in the early 1970's the original DEATH WISH was a new concept in movies and box offices. And movie companies worldwide were cranking out their own Revenge tales. FOUR FOR ALL is basically a mob thriller, done in the 1970's Italian action/crime style. This is neither a Spagetti Western, nor a peblum. FOUR FOR ALL features a cast of Italian favorites who work side by side with the Turkish Stars. The four of the title include Richard Harrison, Gordon Mitchell, Tony Tiger, and Turkish star Irfan Atasoy (who portrays the man whose family is victimed by the mob gang in this. These genre faves must team up agianst a ruthless mob with never ending numbers. There is plenty of mob drama as the said gang is always trying to take over the rival Turkish gangs, to get bigger. These gangs are mostly done performed by Tuskish actors. There are some familiar Italian faces here as well. The mob eventually captures Tony Tiger's wife and the FOUR FOR ALL must team up and integrate the Mob Headquarters and rescue said family. Though this is a very low budget film, shot in Turkey there is plenty of action with a never ending body count. Additionally, there are plenty of surprises in the plot with our heroes finding out they have been set up. And not by the Mob! The score is more like a funeral march and sounds perfect for a Euro- horror movie!