Goodbye & Amen

Much of the Italian back-catalog these days is relegated to exploitation or art with very little wiggle room in either direction.  But the films of Damiano Damiani exist comfortably between both, providing a bit of populist escapism with a dash of local flavor.  More comfortable working in a polished American-style than his Italian contemporaries, Damiani’s 1977 spy thriller Goodbye & Amen is a perfect example of his brand of upscale filmmaking.

When his latest coup attempt is threatened by a hostage situation involving one of his own operatives, CIA agent John Dannahay (Tony Musante) goes into crisis mode, inserting himself into the negotiations with Italian authorities to try and salvage the job.  But the players aren’t all under his control, including the hostages themselves: a beautiful aristocrat (Claudia Cardinale) having a clandestine affair with a bubble-headed actor.  Meanwhile, the gunman behind it all keeps his motivations under wraps, threatening to ruin the lives – and careers – of everyone involved.

 

In the 1970’s spy movies were having a real moment.  Everyone from Robert Redford to Michael Caine to George Segal were getting in on the Ian Fleming fallout, putting the corrupt inner workings of government agencies on full display.  Damiani’s film has its share of pointless complexities and at least one worthwhile twist, but it’s more interested in the home invasion angle than the intricacies of espionage.  And the most interesting scenes are those involving Cardinale’s confident upper-class character trying to outsmart her captor (played well by John Steiner) while soothing the fragile ego of her dim-but-handsome lover.  She’s so compelling that the movie suffers anytime she’s not onscreen.

 

There’s a not-so-subtle anti-American edge as Dannahay steamrolls his way through the Italian legal system, dismissing local authorities and playing by his own set of rules - which might explain the film’s lack of notoriety in the States even though it features several American actors, including Dynasty’s John Forsythe.  But Damiani is a skillful action choreographer and all that tense dialogue builds up to some explosive moments of onscreen violence.  Goodbye & Amen may not play to the extremes, but it’s still an extremely satisfying thriller that proves Italian output could stack up well against the best Hollywood had to offer.

 

The Radiance Blu-ray limited edition features a new 2023 restoration from the original camera negative.  It has that beautifully grainy mid-‘70s look that just screams urban crime thriller.  Both Italian and English tracks are included, but there’s a disclaimer on the dubbed version that warns the elements were not in the best condition (I stuck with Italian).  Extras include an audio commentary from Euro-crime experts Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger along with a new interview from editor Antonio Siciliano and archival interview with actor Wolfango Soldati accompanied by a well-researched set of liner notes.