Delirio caldo (1972)

Director:

Renato Polselli

Writer:

Renato Polselli

Release Date:

5 July 1972 (Italy)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A respected doctor becomes the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. |

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Doctor | Nudity | Murder By Strangling | Murderer

Cast

Mickey Hargitay	...	Herbert Lyutak
Rita Calderoni	...	Marcia Lyutak
Raul Lovecchio	...	Inspector Edwards (as Raoul)
Carmen Young	...	Bonita (US version only)
Christa Barrymore	...	Joaquine
Tano Cimarosa	...	John Lacey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marcello Bonini Olas	...	Barman
Katia Cardinali	...	Miss Heindrich
William Darni	...	Willy
Max Dorian	...	Policeman
Stefania Fassio	...	First victim (as Steffy Steffen)
Stefano Oppedisano	...	Journalist
Cristina Perrier	...	Laurel

Directed by
Renato Polselli		(as Ralph Brown)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Renato Polselli

Original Music by
Gianfranco Reverberi

Cinematography by
Ugo Brunelli

Film Editing by
Otello Colangeli

Distributors

• Romatt Releasing (1972) (USA) (theatrical)
• Academy Entertainment (video)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Blue Underground (2008) (worldwide) (DVD)
• Empire Video (1983) (Belgium) (VHS)
• Empire Video (1983) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Trash Mountain Video - Epcott K.K. (Japan) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Death at the Villa" - USA (longer version)
"Delirium" - USA (dubbed version)

Runtime:

102 min | USA:85 min (re-edited American version) | Belgium:90 min (video)

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Italy:VM18 | Canada:18+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Quotes:

Herbert Lyutak:Enough, Herbert! You are a hyena, hyena!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Theorem of Delirium (2002) (V)

Dirty!

This is nasty stuff. Surprisingly strong for a 1972 movie, Polselli's over-complex and contrived giallo happily depicts what other people would only dare hint to in a number of jaw-droppingly misogynistic scenes of sexual violence. In one remarkably unpleasant scene, a black gloved killer masturbates a female victim as he strangles her. I find it surprising that movies like NEW YORK RIPPER are so infamous when extreme stuff like this and GIALLO A VENEZIA exist. It's quite amazing that these films were made at all, let alone had a cinema release!

Focusing away from the violence, this is actually a pretty well made and tight giallo. Whilst a lot more sleazy than some of the classy entries into the genre, Polselli hits the viewer with some relatively innovative scenes and camera-work. The plot is hilariously winding- I won't give too much away, but fans of the more ridiculous giallos will not be disappointed. There is also a definite undercurrent of black humour, particularly in some of the scenes of violence. I think it is safe to say that the misogynistic humour will be left misunderstood by most.

Unfortunately, DELIRIUM fell victim to distributor re-cutting in a big way. The American version is hugely different to the original Italian release, losing a lot of violence, gaining some new footage, and asa result suffering quite marked changes to the plot itself! The different versions are really quite different, and I'd advise any giallo collector to check out both. By all accounts, the French print of the movie is the most complete "uncut" form. Definitely worth a look for fans of giallos and of good, honest cinematic scum.