Wake Up and Kill

Wake Up and Kill is a heart-pounding crime thriller, bringing vividly to the screen the tale of a notorious criminal figure. An Italian film released in 1966, this piece was directed by Carlo Lizzani and starred renowned actors Robert Hoffmann and Lisa Gastoni. The movie offers a gripping exploration of criminal enterprise against the backdrop of 1960s Europe's seedy underbelly.

The movie opens with Luciano Lutring, played by Robert Hoffmann, who leads a dual life. On the surface, he appears to be a common man, a middle-class Italian married to his wife Yvonne, portrayed by Lisa Gastoni. Yet, beneath this facade, Luciano leads a secretive, thrilling, and dangerous second life as an erudite thief. His robberies are well planned and executed flawlessly, earning him a reputation and the ironic nickname 'machine gun solo,' due to his preference for a submachine gun he keeps hidden inside a violin case.

As the story unfolds, Luciano becomes progressively more ambitious and ruthless in his criminal activities, escalating from straightforward thefts to daring armed robberies. The film brilliantly captures the gritty reality of the criminal underworld and the trials and tribulations Luciano faces as he grapples with the pressure, danger, and guilt that come with his notorious line of work.

What makes Wake Up and Kill even more engaging is the complex and fascinating dynamic between Luciano and his devoted wife Yvonne. Is she merely an innocent wife oblivious to her husband's sinister secret life, or does she play a more active and complicit role in his dangerous escapades? The actress Lisa Gastoni delivers an incredibly nuanced and powerful performance that keeps the audience on their toes, bringing a deeply human element to the narrative that makes the escalating tension and inevitable sense of doom even more potent.

Robert Hoffmann, in the lead role, dramatically showcases Luciano’s complex persona. The sheer audacity of his crimes, contrasted sharply with his seemingly mundane domestic life, is depicted in a manner that is as unsettling as it is fascinating. The audience finds themselves in a quandary, tangling with a blend of admiration, horror, and dismay for this character.

Carlo Lizzani's direction and storytelling are top-notch, keeping the narrative fast-paced and maintaining unrelenting suspense throughout the film. With its masterful cinematography, the film offers an in-depth look into the dark underbelly of 1960s’ Europe. The audience gets a firsthand view of its labyrinthine streets, shadowy alleyways, and dingy bars that create an ominous world of danger and allure.

Wake Up and Kill isn't just a crime thriller. It’s a study of human nature, a raw exploration of desperation, ambition, and the lengths to which one might go for material gain. Despite being a non-English language film, the power of its performances, the visual storytelling, and the thematic depth make it a universal experience.

The chilling background score gives an edge to the gripping plot and intensifying noir theme that permeates the film. The brilliant editing further enhances the narrative, thereby giving the audience brief yet crucial insights into the psyche of the characters.

Wake Up and Kill combines elements of crime, tension, romance, and dark reality in a compelling fashion. With remarkable performances by the cast, especially Robert Hoffmann and Lisa Gastoni, the film provides an immersive exploration of a life of crime and its consequences.

Anyone who enjoys gritty crime thrillers, complex characters, or exploring the darker elements of human nature might find Wake Up and Kill a fascinating experience. With its intriguing plot, powerful performances, and engaging direction, it stands as a remarkable testament to 1960s Italian cinema. It keeps the audience on edge, building suspense, and delivering a compelling narrative all while making a profound statement about desperate greed, moral ambiguity, and the price one pays in a life of crime.