Off Balance Blu Ray Review (Cauldron Films)

Off Balance (aKa Phantom of Death and Un delitto poco comune) is a 1987 slasher directed by Ruggero Deodato (Cut and Run, Cannibal Holocaust, Body Count, Live Like a Cop Die Like a Man, House on the Edge of the Park, The Raiders of Atlantis, The Barbarians, and Jungle Holocaust/Last Cannibal World). It was written by Gianfranco Clerici (Cannibal Holocaust, The Last Match, The House of Clocks, Delirium, The New York Ripper, Don’t Torture a Duckling, and Murder Rock), Vincenzo Mannino (Devil Fish, The New York Ripper, Cobra Mission franchise, Evil Senses, The Antichrist, and The Last Shark), and Gigliola Battaglini (The Sweet House of Horrors). In Italy, respected pianist Robert Dominici (played by: Michael York from Romeo and Juliet, Logan’s Run, The Simpsons, Curb your Enthusiasm, Austin Powers franchise, Space, and The Island of Dr. Moreau) starts suffering from the Progeria genetic disease. He becomes extremely distraught as he ages faster than expected. He doesn’t feel like himself and the people close to him which includes Helene Martell (played by: Edwige Fenech from Hostel: Part II, Strip Nude for Your Killer, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, and Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key) don’t even recognize him anymore so it messes with his mental state. Robert loses his grip on his sanity as it slips away. He goes on a brutal killing spree which puts the determined police inspector Datti (played by: Donald Pleasence from the Halloween franchise, American Rickshaw, You Only Live Twice, Phenomena, Prince of Darkness, Escape from New York, Dracula, and Alone in the Dark) on his sadistic trail as he investigates. Can this real life monster be stopped???? I’ve never heard of Ruggero Deodato’s Off Balance or Phantom of Death before this home video release was announced. Ruggero Deodato actually claimed that this was his least favorite film at one point but I’ve seen lots of his work over the years and I think this is one of his most underrated to be completely honest. It’s an interesting script and concept. A handsome man gets cursed with a disease that makes him age very quickly. His vanity and sanity is gone after this. He goes from ladies man to freak with the quickness. Michael York as Robert Dominici gives one of his better performances in Off Balance. There’s two different sides of the character here, kinda a Jekyll and Hyde vibe at times. He just can’t control the monster inside of him after he transforms into someone unrecognizable. Donald Pleasence as Inspector Datti is great as always. I know at the time, he was basically doing anything to pay the bills but he consistently delivered no matter what. He knows who’s tracking earlier on but he gets thrown off when the vicious killer is identified as older. The beautiful Edwige Fenech shows up as Helene, she’s one of Robert’s women. She is a nice addition here. What’s wild is that director Ruggero Deodato didn’t want her in this at all but the producers forced it on him. He got his revenge when he covered up the legendary actress during her would be nude scene on purpose. Don’t worry, there’s still enough sleaze and nudity here. The supporting cast includes Mapi Galán (Catacombs), Fabio Sartor (The Passion of the Christ), Giovanni Lombardo Radice (Cannibal Ferox), and Gianni Franco (The Wax Mask). This is a unique 80’s giallo because they don’t keep the killer a secret here like most of the sub-genre. Off Balance has some quality special fx and gore when it comes to the gruesome kills. Plus the makeup fx when the Robert character keeps getting older is very impressive for when this was produced. Composer Pino Donaggio (Dressed to Kill, Carrie, Tourist Trap, The Howling, and Body Double) provides the awesome score for this which adds to the atmosphere. Off Balance is much better than expected, I really enjoyed it. I appreciated that took a different direction for the psychopath’s motivation for the killing spree, RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Cauldron Films! This 1080p (1.66:1) unrated transfer is from a brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative. Off Balance looks great for basically being a forgotten 80’s horror feature. The last time it was released in the states was on VHS so it’s a massive upgrade. The special fx and gore really shine here in HD. It has a few different audio options which includes English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks on this disc. The audio is very impressive for this home video release especially the score. All of the dialogue is crystal clear, the lunacy is elevated, and the music has a killer boost to it. It has English and English SDH subtitles. It has an “Audio Commentary” with film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth. They bring up it’s connection to The New York Ripper. They chat about the director and the cast from Off Balance. They drop some fascinating knowledge that has all kinds of interesting information and stories about the Italian production. It has the 33 minute “An Uncommon Director” which is an interview with Ruggero Deodato from 2022. I think this is one of the last interviews from the infamous film maker before he passed away. Deodato is always blunt and he’s never shy for stuff like this. I always appreciated his honesty. He only took this job because the film industry was struggling at the time. He shares his experiences on his collaborations. He gives his thoughts about Off Balance on a variety of subjects, good or bad. It has Italian and English “Trailers”. It comes with reversible artwork. This should be in every giallo or slasher collection. It’s available everywhere right now including Diabolik DVD, CHECK IT OUT!!!!