The premise had so much promise: of a government official, Oliver Reed, who surreptitiously allows a prisoner to escape and quickly abducts him as exchange for his kidnapped wife.
While there are a few great moments, some involving the convict, Fabio Testi, showing gruff and glum Reed (described as "a dog without a home") the ways of thiefdom, which should have been more of the film, the side characters, like a popular folk musician oddly connected to the bad guys, and long bouts of plodding (badly looped) dialog, muddle the lean storyline.
Reed, with a scowling catfish countenance, is more than watchable, while Testi's much too pretty as a believable challenger. Although their ultimate camaraderie, which builds throughout, does seem genuine and works for the poignant climax.
Iconic composer Ennio Morricone, known for his usually intense Spaghetti-Western soundtracks, evokes a flowery, era-dated score more befitting a frolicking light comedy.
While there are a few great moments, some involving the convict, Fabio Testi, showing gruff and glum Reed (described as "a dog without a home") the ways of thiefdom, which should have been more of the film, the side characters, like a popular folk musician oddly connected to the bad guys, and long bouts of plodding (badly looped) dialog, muddle the lean storyline.
Reed, with a scowling catfish countenance, is more than watchable, while Testi's much too pretty as a believable challenger. Although their ultimate camaraderie, which builds throughout, does seem genuine and works for the poignant climax.
Iconic composer Ennio Morricone, known for his usually intense Spaghetti-Western soundtracks, evokes a flowery, era-dated score more befitting a frolicking light comedy.