Il poliziotto è marcio (1974)

Shoot First, Die Later poster

English Title: Shoot First, Die Later
Cinemaster S.r.l.
Starring:
 Luc Merenda, Vittorio Caprioli
Directed by: Fernando Di Leo

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Domenico Malacarne (Luc Merenda) is a well-respected cop who gets caught in a sticky situation because of his playing both sides of the law.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): At the beginning of the film an eccentric older man named Esposito (Vittorio Caprioli) is trying to leave his home but a sportcars is blocking the gate. He is carrying a little tabby cat named Napoleon in a basket. Esposito is furious and notes the Swiss license plate on the car.

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli with tabby cat Napoleon in basket

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli with tabby cat Napoleon in basket

Esposito later goes to the police station to complain about the offense, still carrying Napoleon in a basket. Napoleon wears a little sweater and has a scarf around his neck. It’s clear from his conversation that Esposito is a constant complainer and troublemaker so the Sergeant does not take him seriously.

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli walking into police station with tabby cat Napoleon in basket

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli with tabby cat Napoleon in basket

Shoot First, Die Later - tabby cat Napoleon in basket

The car in question belonged to mobsters who were dumping a body. Domenico visits Esposito to ask what he has seen and Esposito introduces him to Napoleon.

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli introducing tabby cat Napoleon to Domineco Luc Merenda

Shoot First, Die Later - Esposito Vittorio Caprioli introducing tabby cat Napoleon to Domineco Luc Merenda

Severe Kitty Carnage Warning!  The mob eventually sends goons to kill Esposito, which they do by putting a plastic bag over his head. Then one of the baddies spots Napoleon lapping up some spilt milk. In what is a very difficult scene to watch, the bad guy picks up Napoleon and shoves him into a plastic bag, which the thug then ties and dumps into a box. This is done for real, the cat actor struggles as he fights to stay out of the bag and is seen trying to get loose afterwards. Now we assume the cat was not left in the bag for any length of time to do it any serious harm, but it is still a very upsetting scene.

Shoot First, Die Later - tabby cat Napoleon lapping spilled milk from floor

Shoot First, Die Later - tabby cat Napoleon in box next to mob killer

Shoot First, Die Later - tabby cat Napoleon fighting against mob killer

Final Mewsings: Okay, we get the bad guys are bad, you don’t have to show them killing a cat!


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