Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 19, 2025

1978’s “Rings of Fear” (a.k.a. “Red Rings of Fear”) is a movie that, in fact, doesn’t contain any rings of fear. It’s a giallo that’s trying to gets something lurid and exciting going with its study of murder and police investigation, giving six(!) screenwriters a shot at creating scenes of suspense as vicious things happen to semi-innocent people. The material doesn’t deliver excitement, mostly inspiring confusion as the details of the story fail to come together, and characterization is largely left up in the air. Director Alberto Negrin attempts to put some effort into style and intensity, but it’s a losing battle with this writing, which offers no stability when it comes to storytelling and mystery, almost resembling a picture that was made up as it was being shot.

The body of a teenage girl named Angela has been found in a river. She’s been murdered, violated by a large wooden phallus, putting Inspector DiSalvo (Fabio Testi) on the case to find the killer. A student at a prestigious Catholic boarding school, Angela was surrounded by an attentive staff and joined by three friends, with Paola (Carolin Ohrner), Franca (Taida Urruzola), and Virginia (Brigitte Wagner) all holding their own secrets around the building. DiSalvo is hoping to bring peace to Angela’s family, including her helpful little sister, Emilia (Fausta Avelli), but as he gets closer to the investigation, he begins to expose the hidden lives of adults, while the killer isn’t done terrorizing the community, claiming additional lives.

It takes a long time before DiSalvo (or anybody, really) is identified by his name, but we understand his dedication to law enforcement clearly, introduced as a cop happily taking a lover in a shoplifter, expecting her to remain devoted to him, even though he’s never home. He’s not the most committed man, unless there’s a serial killer on the loose, putting the Inspector on the case of Angela, who’s been brutalized, leaving behind a life that’s filled with clues and questions DiSalvo intends to follow. “Ring of Fear” could work as a detective story, getting into the troubles at the school, where members of the staff aren’t exactly keeping their distance from the female students. And there’s some dramatic pull in threatening letters being sent after murders have occurred, teasing the dangers of “Nemesys.”

Potential for thrills and chills is abandoned fairly quickly in “Rings of Fear,” which soon begins to wander around, periodically dipping into some lurid behavior to keep up with subgenre demands. One certainly doesn’t need an extended shower sequence featuring 15-year-old girls, or an extreme look at an abortion appointment, but don’t tell that to Negrin, who is desperately trying to fill the run time with salacious material, rightly believing the central mystery probably isn’t going to hold viewer attention. He goes grimy in “Rings of Fear,” which isn’t welcome, and he also indulges complete silliness, found during a sequence where DiSalvo takes a wormy suspect on a roller coaster to interrogate him. A ROLLER COASTER. A whole film of this type of nonsense is preferrable to the ickiness that actually makes up most of the movie.

Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 2K from a 35mm blow-up CRI." It's a slightly softer viewing experience for "Rings of Fear," but detail remains decent. Skin particulars are acceptable, along with period hair and clothing. Interiors retain some sense of decorative additions, and exteriors maintain passable depth. Color is capable, handling primaries on fashion choices and signage. Living spaces also offer brighter hues. Cooler looks at school rooms are intact, and blood remains red. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is capably resolved. Source has its issues with wear and tear, and damage is present, including jumpy frames, spotting, and scratches.

Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA Italian mix retains a slightly muddier sound due to age, but intelligibility isn't threatened. Performances are easy to follow. Scoring is also slightly dulled, but funky support is understood, and instrumentation is passable. Sound effects are blunt.

Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth, and Nathaniel Thompson.

• "Deep Red Rings" (26:22, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Franco Ferrini, who was initially hired to write a remake of "What Have You Done to Solange," ending up in a situation where he was tasked with pursuing the rights to redo the picture. The interviewee discusses his minimal participation in the creation of the script, and details his relationship and perception of director Massimo Dallamano, who was killed shortly before production on "Rings of Fear" commenced. Instead of continuing with a discussion of "Rings of Fear," Ferrini veers off into other tales from his career, including a partnership with Dario Argento, scripting "Phenomena" and "Opera" for the helmer.

• "From Big Screen Scares to Small Screen Epics" (23:31, HD) is an interview with director Alberto Negrin, who discusses his formative years as an assistant director, receiving an opportunity to understand the business of the arts and its demands. Eventually setting out to become a filmmaker, Negrin charts the development of his career and his early connection to "Rings of Fear," taking on a project that was credited to numerous screenwriters. The interviewee discusses his hesitation to glamorize violence and offers candid thoughts on producer Leo Pescarolo, admitting the frugality of the production was frustrating, leading him to feel disappointed in the feature. Talk moves away from "Rings of Fear," as Negrin is more interested in exploring his television career, overseeing such projects as "Secret of the Sahara" and "Mussolini and I."

• "Cecil B. Negrin" (13:51, HD) is an interview with director Alberto Negrin, who discusses his career choices, including time making documentaries, his experiences with actor Roberto Benigni, and various professional opportunities that allowed him to pursue different areas of storytelling. He also analyzes the downfall of the Italian television industry.

• "The Red Thread" (25:23, HD) is an interview with actor Fabio Testi, who sits next to his massive dog and reflects on the heyday of the Italian film industry, permitted to explore many genres during his career. The interviewee recalls his interactions with director Masimo Dallamano, detailing his presence on set and artistic interests. Talk turns to "Rings of Fear," examining the production's financing issues, which almost ended the shoot, and he details his relationship with director Alberto Negrin. Co-stars are assessed, along with the state of Italy, and Testi explores other projects completed with Negrin and his own acting adventures during his prime years as a working thespian.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Rings of Fear Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rings of Fear" intends to build to a shocking conclusion of criminal reveals, but the writing doesn't actually put in the effort to construct red herrings and suspects. Instead of a neat climax, the film goes random and absurd. However, the rest of "Rings of Fear" is already random and absurd, making this slide into lunacy less shocking than intended, offering a fitting note of "huh?" for a feature that doesn't really have a clue what it wants to do.