Phantom of Death

(aka Off Balance)

Well who would have seen this coming? When new UK DVD label Shameless Screen Entertainment announced the Fulci classic 'New York Ripper' as their launch title there was an air of assured expectancy from the horror community that this new label would perhaps kick off their line with a mix of the classics and the usual suspects but with the announcement that release number two was going to be Ruggero Deodato's rarely seen 'Phantom of Death' (aka Off Balance/ Un Delitto poco commune) an air of excited salivating came to the fore.

A million miles from his notoriety as the man behind the deeply offensive jungle gem 'Cannibal Holocaust', Ruggero Deodato's 'Phantom of Death' is probably more the sort of movie he would like to be appreciated for. One of the few thrillers he directed, 'Phantom of Death' sees successful pianist Robert Dominici (played brilliantly by Michael York in one of his finest performances before disappearing behind the camera for countless voice over roles) become consumed by a degenerative disease that will make his body age at an accelerated rate leading to an early grave. But rather than wallow in self pity (and perhaps organise that final farewell tour) Dominici decides to go out in style by going on a killing spree (well it's an option I suppose) whilst leading the local police force, led by one Inspector Datti (played with great hammy aplomb by horror icon Donald Pleasance), on a merry dance.

'Phantom of Death' is fantastic bloody fun on many levels, whilst it is at best pure retro exploitation Euro fun, it's also very apparent that all involved had great fun with the films production. Michael York gets a leading role he can run with, as his degenerative ageing progresses he goes gradually from thirty something brute to spluttering pension age peril and is wholly convincing throughout (thanks both to the excellent make ups and his fine performance). Donald Pleasance phones in his performance as Inspector Datti but has a ball along the way (with his manic scene of madness outside the police station being perhaps one of his most entertaining of his career, I haven't laughed so much in ages!) And along with great supporting appearances by every genre fans wet dream Edwige Fenech as York's love interest H�l�ne Martell and even a cameo by the genre's number one victim Giovanni Lombardo Radice (John Morghen) as Father Giuliano we have a solid fun Euro horror experience.

Ruggero Deodato's direction is fine throughout with some visually impressive moments of flair which is enhanced by the ever enjoyable score by the legendary Pino Donaggio. The print on show here from Shameless Screen Entertainment is an excellent pin sharp anamorphic widescreen presentation making its fully uncut debut on DVD here in the UK for the very first time. The audio is fine throughout but the master does at times suffer from a mix that plays heavier on the score over the dialogue so you may want to have your remote on hand for volume adjustment.

Extras are very much the same as Shameless debut release with not only the trailer for 'Phantom of Death' (don't watch ahead of the movie though for spoilers) but also gorgeous trailers for many of their other upcoming releases (including Fulci's Black Cat, Manhattan Baby, Baba Yaga, Killer Nun and so on) making this a solid package for fans of the Euro horror scene. Mention should also be made of the fine DVD packaging as Shameless have went for a uniform garish yellow look for their covers (hey, we at SGM love the yellow thing, well we would eh!) with nice touches such as the case spine image that will grow into one big logo as your collection grows (good way to ensure the 'collector' trade and hence a fine way by default to lure casual buyers into a voyage of discovery with some vintage Euro horror fun). This year saw the shutters come down on the once great (but of late very much so burnt out) Vipco label and from its shadow a new star in the UK genre market has stepped into the fore - UK genre fans rejoice, Shameless has arrived!

Review by Alan Simpson