Delirium Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Delirium Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov February 9, 2018

Lamberto Bava's "Delirium" a.k.a. "Le Foto di Gioia" (1987) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British label 88 Films. There are no special features on the disc, but the release arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by Dr. Calum Waddell. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

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Let’s just be honest here: The main reason why ninety-nine percent of straight guys went to see films with the voluptuous Italian star Serena Grandi was the voluptuous Italian star Serena Grandi. Her best work was during the ‘80s, and after Tinto Brass’ Miranda it no longer mattered if she did sexy comedies, period adventure films, or psychological crime thrillers like Lamberto Bava’s Delirium. There were always people willing to see her films -- even the really, really mediocre ones.

Bava’s film fits somewhere in the middle, right between obvious flops like Stormtroopers II and stylish gems like Brass’ Miranda, and offers exactly the type of decent B-grade entertainment that Grandi was known for. In other words, it is absolutely not the underappreciated Bava sleeper ‘classic’ that years ago people might have missed. It is a genuine Grandi film that appreciates the exact same things that Brass and the likes of Dino Risi, Andrea Barzini, and Piero Schivazappa saw and liked when they cast the actress -- her incredible sex appeal. The murder mystery really is just a necessary element that gives the film its structure rather than function as its foundation. Keep this in mind and you are not going to be disappointed if you decide to spend some time with Delirium. In fact, more than likely you will end up being pleasantly surprised because the film actually builds up a very nice De Palma-esque ambience.

Gloria (Grandi) is the successful owner of the trendy fashion magazine Pussycat. Having worked as a model for years, she has developed incredible business instincts that are now helping her to stay a few steps ahead of her competitors.

After an exhausting shoot one of Gloria’s top models brutally killed. The police launch an investigation, but while a couple of detectives are asking questions and trying to find a possible motive for the murder a second model is killed. Then, possibly to deliver a crucial message, someone mails a stack of graphic photographs to Gloria’s office. But what is the message? Is it that the mysterious killer is on a mission to cripple Gloria’s business by eliminating her best models? Or is it that Gloria is the real target and it is only a matter of time before the killer goes after her? In the ensuing turmoil and while considering an offer from one of her competitors who is interested in acquiring Pussycat, Gloria is pushed on the verge of a very serious, possibly deadly, nervous breakdown.

Grandi looks so good in this film that at times her beauty -- which it has to be made clear is of the most seductive type -- actually becomes somewhat distracting. She constantly changes her stylish outfits and whenever possible takes them off for optimal effect. Of course, since Delirium came out a few years after Miranda this is hardly surprising.

The murder mystery is fueled by a series of graphic killings that are essentially used to provide the film with its genre identity, but Grandi remains the main attraction. On the other hand, the manner in which the killings are lensed certainly reveals more than just a casual familiarity with De Palma’s classic voyeuristic styles.

The film’s very atmospheric soundtrack was created by Simon Boswell (Hardware).

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Lamberto Bava's Delirium arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

The release is sourced from a brand new 2K remaster of the film, and thus far it is the all-around best looking release that I have seen from the British label. Indeed, the entire film looks incredibly healthy and boasts the type of solid and very pleasing depth that proper recent remasters can ensure. Even though there are a few segments with tiny native fluctuations, density is also hugely impressive. In fact, if you can upscale to 4K, I urge you to view the release in 4K rather than in native 1080p, as the strengths of the remaster become even more obvious. I also like the color grading a lot, though I felt that there are a few spots where the primaries could have been a tad cooler. The overall balance, however, is very nice, supporting wonderful primaries and plenty of delicate nuances (see screencapture #3). There are no traces of sharpening adjustments. Image stability is excellent. Lastly, all distracting age-related imperfections have been removed as best as possible. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The entire film has been overdubbed so if you notice some sporadic light unevenness keep in mind that it is inherited and a not byproduct of less than optimal remixing. This being said, clarity and stability are excellent. Simon Boswell's score also easily breathes in all the right places.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet - 6-page illustrated booklet featuring Dr. Calum Waddell's essay "Dame of Delirium".

• Reversible Cover - with the Italian alternate title Le Foto di Giola.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I used to own Delirium on VHS but after the tape went bad I never replaced it with Shriek Show's North American DVD release. This recent Blu-ray release from 88 Films, which is sourced from a very solid fresh remaster, is quite the impressive upgrade, and frankly something of a gift for Serena Grandi fans. I wish there was a boutique label -- and why not 88 Films -- that would invest in a similar remaster for Tinto Brass' Miranda, as it is one of Grandi's best films. Even the Italian sexy comedies that she appeared in are definitely worth bringing to the market. Folks that enjoy Italian genre films from the '80s should not miss Delirium. RECOMMENDED.