It fascinates me that Mario Merola was a lead in so many action/Eurocrime movies in the late 70's. It's not like he's Franco Nero handsome, or even remotely athletic or intimidating. He's overweight, but not in that boxy Bud Spencer kind of way (although he does punch like Spencer). He doesn't seem to have any kind of particular appeal, yet you always end up rooting for him when he gets his comeuppance on the thugs who've either raped or killed…

The prolific team of director Alfonso Brescia and actor Mario Merola made upwards of 10 Eurocrime movies together, of which I've seen a handful by now. These movies are never heavy on the action or violence, but they almost always involve the dignified Merola having a member of his family killed or raped, which sets him off on the path of revenge, always wearing his trademark suit and tie. This may be the best I've seen so far, just because…