''The Enforcer'', 1951 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The Enforcer'', 1951 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The Enforcer'', a 1951 American film noir crime drama directed by Bretaigne Windust and Raoul Walsh. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart, Zero Mostel, and Ted de Corsia, among others. It is not to be confused with another film titled "The Enforcer," which is a 1976 Clint Eastwood movie.
In the 1951 version of "The Enforcer," Humphrey Bogart plays the role of Assistant District Attorney Martin Ferguson, a dedicated and relentless prosecutor. The film revolves around his pursuit of a ruthless and elusive crime syndicate led by the sadistic and cunning criminal mastermind, Albert Mendoza, portrayed by Ted de Corsia.
The story is loosely based on real-life events, particularly the efforts to take down the notorious gangster Mickey Cohen in post-World War II Los Angeles. Assistant District Attorney Ferguson is determined to bring Mendoza and his gang to justice, despite the obstacles and dangers he faces. He assembles a team of police officers and detectives, including his assistant (played by Zero Mostel), to gather evidence, break through the criminals' code of silence, and dismantle the criminal organization.
"The Enforcer" is known for its gritty and hard-hitting portrayal of crime and law enforcement in a city plagued by corruption and violence. The film explores themes of moral ambiguity, justice, and the sacrifices made by those who seek to uphold the law in a corrupt world. Humphrey Bogart delivers a memorable performance as the relentless prosecutor, and the movie is a classic example of the film noir genre, characterized by its dark and shadowy cinematography and its morally complex characters.
Overall, "The Enforcer" (1951) is a gripping crime drama that remains a significant entry in the film noir genre, with its compelling story, strong performances, and a dark and atmospheric tone.
About the artist:
Luigi Martinati (1893-1983), born in Florence, Italy, on Dec. 31, 1893, was a significant Italian illustrator and painter. He spent most of his career creating artwork for film posters.
While growing up in Florence, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, then moved to Rome in 1911 when he was 18. There, he worked as an apprentice for film poster artist Federico Ballester (1868-1926), the father of Anselmo Ballester, who also became a poster artist.
Between 1923 and 1941, he devoted himself to advertising illustration. He designed posters of various subjects and themes, from commercial advertising billboards to tourist signs to political posters to significant celebratory events.
He later became the director of IGAP (Impresa Generale Affissioni PubblicitĂ ), a leading advertising agency in Rome. In that role, he began collaborating with various film companies, primarily Warner Brothers studios. Soon after World War II, the advertising sector became dedicated exclusively to movie illustrations.
In the mid-1940s, he teamed up with two other painters of Italian film posters, Anselmo Ballester and Alfredo Capitani. Together, they founded BCM studio (using letters from their surnames) and dedicated their efforts exclusively to producing film posters.
Martinati's images typically invoked robust realism. His style was characterized by a foreground depicting a large portrait with a minor scene in the background. He also stands out for his technique, which focused on the strength of the subjects without lingering on details and particulars. The heroes of Martinati posters are realistic and believable, with few exaggerated expressions or poses..
In 1959, he cut back on his partnership with Warner Brothers and other film production and distribution companies. By 1967, he discontinued his successful career as a film poster artist to work primarily as an easel painter.
He died in Rome in 1983 at the age of 90.
To see some of his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
Uploaded
December 26th, 2021
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