Vale Phil D'Antoni - John Snadden remembers the producer of three great action movies.

Phil D'Antoni

I've just seen where Hollywood producer Phil D'Antoni has died. He was responsible for producing three rolled gold crime-action classics from the late 1960s and early 70s, namely BULLIT(1968), THE FRENCH CONNECTION(1971) and THE SEVEN-UPS(1973) (which he also directed). Peter Yates and William Friedkin were then outsiders whose take on the gangster movie was something special. Each film was also highlighted by a tremendous car chase sequence, and it's nearly impossible to pick which one could be classed as the best. Personally, I think the slam-bang ending to the pursuit in THE SEVEN-UPS is nearly impossible to top.

Japanese Poster, The Seven -Ups