THE VIOLENT FOUR (Bandits in Milan) (1968) Movie Poster, Original Daybill
Size AU Daybill Post-War (13" x 30")
THE VIOLENT FOUR (Bandits in Milan) (1968) Movie Poster, Original Daybill starring Gian Maria Volonté, Tomas Milian, directed by Carlo Lizzani Movie Poster and Condition. Condition: This original, vintage, unrestored...
THE VIOLENT FOUR (Bandits in Milan) (1968) Movie Poster, Original Daybill starring Gian Maria Volonté, Tomas Milian, directed by Carlo Lizzani
Movie Poster and Condition.
Condition: This original, vintage, unrestored Australian Daybill Movie Poster presents as Very Fine+ condition, with 2 Daybill folds as issued, no pin marks, large dog ear on right hand top corner but is flattened out and almost unnoticeable, otherwise the poster is clean with bright colours and seems was not used at all. This striking original Daybill poster is an exceptional example of late-1960s cinema advertising, offering collectors a highly desirable piece of Italian crime film memorabilia. Its vivid presentation and minimal wear make it a standout display item, ideal for enthusiasts of European gangster films and rare theatrical releases.
Movie Synopsis
The Violent Four or known in Italy as Bandits in Milan (Banditi a Milano) (1968) is a gritty and uncompromising entry into the world of Italian crime cinema, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Carlo Lizzani. Based on real events, the film delivers a raw and semi-documentary portrayal of a notorious criminal gang whose violent exploits shocked Italy during the late 1960s. With its intense pacing and stark realism, the film stands as a defining example of the poliziotteschi genre, which would later flourish throughout the 1970s.
The story centres on a ruthless gang of criminals led by a volatile and unpredictable mastermind, portrayed with chilling intensity by Gian Maria Volonté. Known for his powerful screen presence, Volonté brings depth and menace to the role, creating a character that is both captivating and deeply unsettling. Alongside him is Tomas Milian, whose performance adds further complexity and tension within the group dynamic.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly modernising Milan, the film explores themes of social unrest, crime, and the breakdown of order. The gang embarks on a series of daring robberies and violent acts, culminating in a chaotic and unforgettable escape sequence that highlights the film’s documentary-style approach. Bandits in Milan distinguishes itself through its use of real locations, handheld camera work, and a narrative structure that blends newsreel elements with traditional storytelling.
Director Carlo Lizzani was known for his politically conscious filmmaking, and this film reflects his interest in examining the social conditions that give rise to crime. The screenplay, co-written by Lizzani, draws inspiration from actual police reports and court records, lending the film an added layer of authenticity. This commitment to realism makes the violence all the more impactful, as it feels grounded in reality rather than sensationalised fiction.
An interesting aspect of the production is its integration of real-life footage and interviews, which blurs the line between fiction and documentary. This technique not only enhances the film’s credibility but also places the audience directly into the unfolding events, creating a sense of immediacy and tension rarely achieved in crime films of the era.
The Violent Four remains a powerful and influential work within the crime genre, praised for its bold storytelling and unflinching depiction of violence. It is a must-see for fans of Italian cinema, offering both gripping entertainment and a thought-provoking look at the darker side of society during a turbulent period in history.
To find out more about The Violent Four (Bandits in Milan) (1968) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes.
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.