Some Giallo's try to tell a serious story, while others are happy to revel in the sleaziness of their absurd plot lines. Renato Polselli's attempt at the genre may not be very strong in the story department, but this is made up for with an onslaught of nudity and sexual violence and if you like your Giallo's to be wayward; Delirium is an absolute dream film! The film exists in two versions; an American cut, and an uncut European version, the latter of which was, of course, the one that I saw. I've not seen the American cut as I have it on good authority that it's the inferior version, and I can certainly believe that as the European market has always been more accepting of sleaze and nudity, and I imagine that most of it was cut for the stateside release. The plot is one of the most convoluted I've ever seen, and follows a police psychiatrist that murders young women in the most brutal ways possible. His wife takes pity on him upon discovering his secret, and naturally, the police enlist his help to solve the case; but when the murders continue, the psychiatrist isn't sure that he's still the one responsible.
Director Renato Polselli had a low budget to work with on this film, but he masks this brilliantly with an array of stark and contrasting colours, which give the film it's arty credentials, and provide some truly stunning imagery for the viewer - case in point; the sequence that sees a young woman strangled in a bathtub full of bold blue water! Mickey Hargitay gives a strong lead performance and always convinces as the psychopathic doctor. He is joined by Polselli regular Rita Calderoni, who looks hot in the role of his wife. The plot is complicated, and the director doesn't always seem keen to provide the viewer with a story, as the focus is always on the brutal murders and scenes of sexual torture, which can mean that it gets a little dry at times. But it all comes good by the end, as despite the fact that we know who the killer is from the beginning; Polselli still manages to pull a couple of surprises out the bag! The ending takes in all the main characters, and I won't hesitate to say that the final fifteen minutes are as good as Giallo gets. Overall, Delirium comes highly recommended to Giallo fans as there's nothing else quite like it!
Director Renato Polselli had a low budget to work with on this film, but he masks this brilliantly with an array of stark and contrasting colours, which give the film it's arty credentials, and provide some truly stunning imagery for the viewer - case in point; the sequence that sees a young woman strangled in a bathtub full of bold blue water! Mickey Hargitay gives a strong lead performance and always convinces as the psychopathic doctor. He is joined by Polselli regular Rita Calderoni, who looks hot in the role of his wife. The plot is complicated, and the director doesn't always seem keen to provide the viewer with a story, as the focus is always on the brutal murders and scenes of sexual torture, which can mean that it gets a little dry at times. But it all comes good by the end, as despite the fact that we know who the killer is from the beginning; Polselli still manages to pull a couple of surprises out the bag! The ending takes in all the main characters, and I won't hesitate to say that the final fifteen minutes are as good as Giallo gets. Overall, Delirium comes highly recommended to Giallo fans as there's nothing else quite like it!