This movie has small-time hood Ben Gazzara crossing the underbelly of Europe, from Turkey to Sicily, to promote a huge score of heroin for him to sell in New York. There's an able air of lurking menace throughout this well-produced movie by Ferdinando Baldi amidst the tangled and competitive world of drug smuggling.

Lots of beautiful location shooting in Turkey, Sicily and New York City -- although if the New York shots are any indication the editors cut for maximum impact rather than geographical reality.

A typical Italian crime film, heavily influenced by THE FRENCH CONNECTION to the extent that it looks and feels like a great big rip-off. It starts off with a bang with an excellent and sadistic murder sequence before slowing down to a crawl for the rest of the running time. American import Ben Gazarra heads off to Turkey and gets involved with a local smuggling ring, and the usual twists follow. Not bad, but not one of the best.

Very good little gem. A very good exploration of the opium/morphine/heroin trade, through the Turkish Route.

It is all well described, almost like a documentary, all the chain of dealers, from the peasants that cultivate the poppy in Turkish Villages to a vast network of intermediaries, including shipping agents, hidden laboratories, processing in caves, shady " importers", etc. Amazing real scenes of Turkish women cutting the poppies to obtain " The Poppy Milk". Great Stuff.

Do not be put off by the comments of other reviewers. If you like crime movies, and you have an interest in the dark side of the drugs market, you must watch this one. Ben Gazzara is OK, he just delivers an acceptable performance.

Underrated little jewell.