Classic Poliziotteschi hitting 4K UHD This Summer from StudioCanal
If you are a fan of gritty Italian crime cinema like me then you will have plenty to celebrate this summer as StudioCanal and Kino Lorber prepare a wave of long-awaited 4K and Blu-ray releases dedicated to the golden age of poliziotteschi filmmaking. The renewed interest in Eurocrime classics continues to grow, and these latest announcements are another major win for collectors and cult movie enthusiasts alike.
StudioCanal has confirmed that the brutal and stylish Weapons of Death, also known under its alternate titles Naples Shoots! and Napoli Spara! will receive a brand-new 4K release on July 20, 2026. Directed by the ever-reliable Mario Caiano, the film remains one of the harder-hitting entries in the late-era poliziotteschi cycle, delivering violent street justice, corruption, and explosive action against the chaotic backdrop of Naples. You can check out my review here as the release is expected to be a major upgrade for fans who have long sought a definitive edition of the cult favourite.
Joining it shortly afterwards is The Counselor from director Alberto De Martino, arriving on July 27. Often praised for its tense atmosphere and cynical tone, The Counselor stands as one of the defining early entries in the Eurocrime boom of the 1970s. De Martino’s skill for blending procedural thrills with political paranoia helped cement the film’s reputation among collectors of Italian genre cinema.
Meanwhile if you happen to be in the United States, Kino Lorber Studio Classics is preparing the impressive Italo-Crime (1973–1977) collection for release in late August. The triple-feature box set will include The Counselor, Weapons of Death and the mighty Shadows in an Empty Room (or Blazing Magnums as it’s fast becoming better known by and you can check out my review here) on both 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray formats. All three films included in the Italo-Crime collection will also receive standalone Blu-ray editions.
The ongoing restoration and preservation of poliziotteschi films continues to underline the genre’s growing international reputation. Once viewed as disposable exploitation cinema, these violent urban thrillers are now widely appreciated for their kinetic direction, political edge, unforgettable soundtracks, and uncompromising vision of 1970s Italy. With labels like StudioCanal and Kino Lorber investing heavily in premium restorations, the future looks increasingly bright for Eurocrime fans and physical media collectors alike.
Weapons of Death a.k.a. Naples Shoots (1977) from StudioCanal
Extras
Includes 12 page booklet with new essay by Peter Raleigh
NEW Napoli Spara! The Brutal World of the Poliziotteschi: a video essay by Will Webb
NEW Audio Commentary with Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell, Historian Troy Howarth and Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson
NEW Archive interview with actor Leonard Mann
NEW Archive interview with director Mario Caiano
Intro by Jean-Baptiste Thoret
Stills Gallery
Original Trailer
Amazon UK – rarewaves – HMV – Zavvi
The Counselor a.k.a. Counselor at Crime (1973) from StudioCanal
Extras
NEW Il Consigliori: Tradition vs Modernity: a video essay by Will Webb
NEW Audio Commentary with filmmaker/historian Steve Mitchell and historian Troy Howarth
Intro by Jean-Baptiste Thoret
Stills gallery
Original Trailer
The 4K and Blu-ray edition comes with a 12-page booklet featuring a new essay on the film.
Amazon UK – rarewaves – HMV – Zavvi
Kino Lorber will release on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray Italo-Crime (1973-1977). The triple-feature set is scheduled to arrive on the market in late August.
The three films in the Italo-Crime collection will also receive individual Blu-ray releases.
The Counselor a.k.a. Counselor at Crime (1973)
Martin Balsam (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three) and Tomás Milián (The Big Gundown) blast the opposition in this crime saga from director Alberto De Martino (The Antichrist). When the godson (Milián) of the San Francisco syndicate boss (Balsam) asks permission to leave “the business,” Don Antonio agrees, but reluctantly. Such behavior by either man violates “the code,” and triggers a bloody mob war with underboss Garofalo (Francisco Rabal, Sorcerer).
Blazing Magnums a.k.a. Shadows in an Empty Room (1976)
When his sister is poisoned at a party, hardened Canadian cop Tony Saitta (Stuart Whitman, Sands of the Kalahari) embarks on a violent investigation that turns into a shocking whirlpool of revenge and betrayal. Featuring one of the decade’s greatest car chases and an arsenal of plot twists, this blend of fast-paced action film and tough police procedural from director Alberto De Martino.
Weapons of Death a.k.a. Naples Shoots (1977)
Leonard Mann’s (Cut and Run) hard-bitten cop goes up against Henry Silva’s (The Boss) flamboyant death-dealer in this blazing Italo-Crime gem. The action-packed thriller plunges the viewer into a Neapolitan cesspool of crime, as dogged Inspector Belli (Mann) and his task force fight against kingpin Salvatore Santoro (Silva), a stony-faced maniac who orchestrates a string of brutal robberies and insane car chases and massacres any cop, gangster or innocent bystander who gets in his way. Directed by Mario Caiano (Violent Milan) as a spin-off to Umberto Lenzi’s aptly titled Violent Naples. This special edition also includes Shadows in an Empty Room, the alternate cut of Blazing Magnum, originally released by the legendary American International Pictures studio.
