While many may dub Italy’s Ruggero Deodato a Horror filmmaker, the truth is that in his career, he has only had three or four out of over twenty films on his resume. A small percentage of his body of work, his legacy as a filmmaker always finds the masses turning to 1980’s Cannibal Holocaust, which is considered one of the most controversial films in the Horror Genre, or any genre, ever made.
Hard to live down, Deodato also made other intense Horror films like 1980’s The House on the Edge of the Park (starring David Hess and Giovanni Lombardo Radice), 1987’s Body Count (featuring Mimsy Farmer as well as David Hess), and 1988’s Giallo-styled Phantom of Death (including Donald Pleasence and Edwige Fenech). All uniquely Deodato, the fact is there was so much more to his work, including Thrillers, Westerns, Science Fiction, and Cop Dramas like 1976’s Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (Uomini si nasce poliziotti si muore).
A style of film often known as Poliziotteschi in Italy, simplifying the subgenre’s title, these types of films essentially feature a lot of action, drama, and lone wolves seeking to take matters into their own hands against a corrupt and complacent system. A style similar to America’s 1971 Dirty Harry or 1974’s Death Wish, Deodato’s Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man follows two young cops named Fred (Marc Porel who is known for a list of films including 1977’s The Psychic) and Tony (Ray Lovelock who is famous for a many films, including 1974’s Let Sleeping Corpses Lie) who work undercover and take all means necessary to take down the perpetrator. While some of their tactics seem to throw the proverbial book out the window, there is no doubt they get results.
A gritty film with a fair amount of action scenes, Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man has high-speed motorcycle chases (reportedly filmed on site in Rome without permission of local authorities), a bundle of shootouts, and a heavy-handed approach to bloodiness, which was a signature of Deodato’s realistic approach.
Moving along at a steady pace, the dynamic of the ‘special squad’ partnership of Fred and Tony in Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man makes for major entertainment as they present themselves as these wild, unpredictable characters who love women, the adrenaline of danger, and seeking out their own form of justice. A screenplay written by the prolific Fernando Di Leo (whose works included 1971’s Slaughter Hotel and 1972’s Caliber 9), it is hard to imagine a story like Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man would ever fly in today’s world. With that in mind, it is a fascinating and enjoyable film, characterized by style and a wealth of humor.
Initially released in Italy on March 11, 1976, Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man performed relatively well at the box office and is historically regarded as a great example of the Poliziotteschi genre. With that in mind, while it may not always be the first film associated with Ruggero Deodato, for being the only film he directed in this subgenre, like always, he did marvelous work. Somewhat lost in the sands of time, fortunately, it has not been entirely left in obscurity. To ensure this, it was released domestically in the USA on DVD in 2011, and on May 27, 2025, it arrived on Blu-ray with a brand-new 4K Ultra HD restoration.
Made possible by Kino Lorber, the new Blu-ray release is part of their RARO Cinema Art Visions subsection (licensed by Italian licensor Minerva). Exciting for fans, this latest release presents Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man in a stunning 4K Ultra HD restoration, featuring exceptional contrast, color, and clarity. In addition to an English language dubbed audio option, the new release features a new audio commentary from Film Historian Rachael Nisbet and an intriguing archival documentary titled Violent Police. Furthermore, it is also worth noting that the Blu-ray sleeve features outstanding original artwork that immediately catches the eye.
In the end, if you are someone who has always appreciated Ruggero Deodato’s films and feels he is unjustly painted into a corner, seeking out the new edition of Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man is a great way to honor him and bolster your personal collection. That is why Cryptic Rock praises the new release from Kino Lorber, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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