Hands Over The City (DVD)

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As the end approaches, the viewer can't help but return to the opening image of the film. Though the people of Naples are the ones most impacted by the council's actions, they are only peripheral figures in the story, seen less and less as the film tightens its focus on the web of political intrigue. As the film progresses, there are fewer scenes set in the city itself, and more set in sterile offices and smoky back-rooms. The hands over the city do not belong to any of its residents, but to aloof power brokers whose decisions affect the lives of thousands, but are made with nobody in mind save themselves. The film takes an even bleaker turn at the end when the clergy shows up to bless the new construction project there are no bigger "hands over the city" placed higher-up that the people can turn to for respite.

Video:
The film is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio. The transfer may not be quite as pristine as the usual Criterion offering, but that's just splitting airs. The black and white image is sharp and richly textured, though I caught some occasional flickering in the transfer. No complaints, though.

Audio:
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. I am tempted to say that the film score is dialed up too high, but I'm pretty sure that's how it was intended to sound. I'm not a big fan of it. Otherwise, the sound transfer is excellent. Optional English subtitles support the Italian audio.

Extras:
All of the special features on this two-disc set are included on the second disc.

The main attraction is "Neapolitan Diary" (1992, 89 min.). Nearly 30 years after "Hands Over the City," Rosi returned to Naples with a small documentary crew to take a fresh look at the condition of city politics. Mea culpa: I did not have time to watch this feature before writing this review.

The rest of the extras in the set are a series of interviews:

Francesco Rosi (13 min.) - In an interview recorded specifically for Criterion, Rosi discusses his approach to filmmaking and the production of "Hands Over the City."

In a separate interview, the great French critic Michel Ciment speaks to Rosi and screenwriter Raffaele La Capria (16 min.)

Jean-Pierre Gorin, always a pleasure to listen to (even if he did just write a far-too-fawning review of "The Departed"), also clocks in with his own take on the film in another Criterion-exclusive interview (10 min.)

Finally, Italian critic Tullio Kezich offers his analysis in a short interview (5 min.)

Though many of the interviews are insightful, it feels like the Criterion crew was trying to pad this collection, essentially to build up enough air-time around "Neapolitan Diary" to justify a second disc.

The 32-page insert booklet features an essay by critic Stuart Klawans, and an interview with Francesco Rosi which originally appeared in the debut 2004 issue of CinemaCittà.

Film Value:
Rosi's story of political intrigue makes for a rather unusual "thriller," one almost entirely devoid of traditional action, but plenty high on interpersonal conflict. "Salvatore Giuliano" (1962) is usually considered Rosi's masterpiece, but "Hands Over the City" is an impressive effort as well.

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