Poliziotto Sprint (aka Highway Racer) (1977)

An arrogant cop (Maurizio Merli), a member of Rome's Mobile Squad, has a reputation for recklessness and disregard for authority. When he is assigned to go undercover and infiltrate a notorious gang of bank robbers, will he be able to pull it off or will his careless attitude do him in? Directed by Stelvio Massi, this Italian poliziottesco is one long series of car chases. It's like a musical in that instead of stopping the story for a song, the movie stops for a car chase. I like a good car chase (BULLITT, FRENCH CONNECTION) as much as the next guy but a whole movie? The real stars of the film are the stuntmen and precision drivers. So if speeding through crowded traffic and endangering lives give you a thrill, you should find much to like here. Merli's immature self centered cop is a turn off so you don't much care what happens to him and his 360 turnaround to responsible lawman happens too quickly to be believable. Stelvio Cipriani's underscore hits all the right notes. With Angelo Infanti, Giancarlo Sbragia and Lilli Carati.