THE SALAMANDER

US/Italy/UK, 1981, 97 minutes.
Anthony Quinn, Franco Nero, Martin Balsam, Claudia Cardinale, Sybil Danning, Christopher Lee, Cleavon Little, Eli Wallach.
Directed by Peter Zinner.

The Salamander is a colourful and entertaining political thriller. However, as a version of Morris west's novel, it might have been much better. West has not been very successful in the film versions of several of his novels - The Shoes of the Fisherman, his own adaptation of The Devil's Advocate.

The film is an Italian production with an international cast, and a varied one at that. Franco Nero has to bear the film as the investigator - which he does adequately. Anthony Quinn is solid as the Salamander. There are entertaining guest roles, in their typical styles, from stars like Eli Wallach and Christopher Lee.

The adaptation was by Robert Katz, writer of such films as Massacre in Rome. The film did not receive wide commercial release and in many countries went immediately to video release.

1. Interest in Morris West's novels? His skill at writing thrillers? His knowledge of Italian government, society, religion? His perceptions of fascism? Multi-national business? International and Italian terrorism? The appeal of this kind of thriller?

2. Production values: Italian atmosphere, the use of Italy, the international cast, the musical score? Satisfying for cinema drama?

3. How successful was the adaptation of the novel? Taking its main elements, dramatising them: situations, characters, issues, action, emotions?

4. West and his perception of Italy: power. violence, terrorism and torture. civilisation? The memories of Mussolini and fascism? Italy and its place in Europe, enemies and allies? Rome and the power of the church? Conspiracies, coups d'etat, fascist government - possible at the end of the 20th century or not? A satisfying story to dramatise these issues - a gesture and the saving of Italy from fascism?

5. The impact of fascism in Italy in the '20s. the memories of Mussolini, power struggles, elitism, cruelty? The situation of the '20s which gave rise to fascism? Being repeated in the later 20th. century? Should such a coup d’etat be allowed for the good of the country? Those who exercise the power, the means to obtain it? The need for audience familiarity with Italian history?

6. The focus of the title, its being seen as an emblem. its explanation, the Salamander as a survivor, its history of heraldry? Its relationship to Banzini?

7. The atmosphere of the opening with the death of the general: the atmosphere of pomp and respect, the cover-up. the shooting and the feeling? The funeral and the introduction? The commentary on all the characters their appearances, the reality? The significance of the voice-over? Quick information, feel for the characters and situations, comment? The atmosphere of puzzle? The murder format of the screenplay - Agatha Christie-like pieces? The finale with the inspector and his assembling characters for the solution?

8. Dante: his name, role as an investigator, as a person? Contacts with the prince, General Leporello and his squad? Collecting of information? Perception of Banzini and his power? The Pole -torture and death? Lili and the Falcon fencing? Deaths, papers? Lili and peace? The island and the U.S.? Ridoti, Stephanelli and the bond, investigation? Danger? Attempts? The return - to Leporello, Stephanelli and Giorgione? The encounter with Ridoti leading to his death? The wife and Venice? Torture - fight, rescue, recuperation, Lili, Banzini? The film, the exposure? Lili and the end? His task completed? Qualities of dedication, integrity, love? His future? Hero?

9. Salamander: Banzini, his power, the plane - Manchester? War? Discussions, the party. interest, help, rescue, deals? Civilised? The expose? His playing God - benignly?

10. The portrait of the prince - the police and his power, Christopher Lee's style and presence, games? His being caught? Pragmatic?

11. General Leporello and his type, his power. the squads and their action. murders. interviews and deals. sexual liaisons. his wife - Ridoti, wife and power, exposed and defeated? A credible threat to Italy?

12. Stephanelli: little brother, the Jews, the war? Skills, information? The phone, arrest, torture?

13. Lili and her role as mistress? Plant, bugged, the fencing? The bond? Superiority? Insurance and information? The island, Switzerland, the phone, the ending? The Pole - boss. torture?

14. The role of the U.S., NATO, the boat and guns?

15. Ridot! and his henchmen, wife, children, insurance. betrayal, death?

16. International terrorism, coups d'etat, the power of the police, the details of police torture, the surgeon and his cruelty? The reality of suffering and power?

17. The impact in reaction to contemporary politics, money games, the military, exercise of power?