Savage Three (1975)
The statement is pretty clear cut from the beginning, with an obvious parallel between lab mice in confined space to citizen living in tight spaces. Not just in terms of physical housing, but also by the structure of society. As with other films from this era in Italy, the film is clearly a response to the societal challenges at the time with high crime rates and high levels of dissatisfaction.
First of all, I didn’t expect to see 70s punch card computers feature in a 70s poliziotteschi, but it works perfectly as a starting point for what is to come with a group of seemingly well-functioning members of society slips into an extreme violent spree without motive. They just want to see the world burn. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was inspired by A Clockwork Orange with similar themes of letting a nihilistic outlook spur a seemingly meaningless spree of violence. Nothing matters but chaos and destruction. While the film may revel in some elements of shock value and creating entertainment from violence, the social critique is right there along with it and not some stretch to find a reason for itself. It is ultimately about people not being able to live within the constraint of the modern world, despite having good stable jobs. They lack control over their own lives, no room to just be by themselves or with people that matter to them. The way this film handled all that somehow spoke to me cleaner than A Clockwork Orange, even though this film is a lot messier film making wise than Kubrick’s perfection.
Rating: 4