Il bravo di Venezia

The reluctant city executioner has a dilemma, and we get a solid costume drama out of it. Just a little slow in getting going and overall pacing suffering because of it. For there are definitely quality scenes in this. When Gustav Diessl is allowed to show his range, the film feels like a big deal. Unfortunately, they decide to pad it out with surrounding things. Sure, that brings a lot of lively atmosphere, but it also makes the interesting part of the story unfocused.