The Monster: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1977
Director: Luigi Zampa
Writer: Sergio Donati
Cast: Johnny Dorelli, Sydne Rome, Orazio Orlando, Renzo Palmer, Enzo Santaniello, Renato Scarpa, Yves Beneyton, Gianrico Tedeschi, Clara Colosimo, Angelica Ippolito

Release Date: October 19th, 2026 (UK), October 20th, 2026 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 44 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Valerio is a struggling reporter with a failed marriage and withdrawn son. He is angry at the world and strives for more. In the newspaper’s mail he receives the opportunity he’s been waiting for, a serial killer announces and later carries out a series of grisly murders. Valerio remorselessly uses this opportunity to improve his position and standing but will he draw himself too close to the killer?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "The Monster was scanned in 2K resolution at Studio Cine in Rome, Italy. The film was restored at Dragon Post Production in Cardiff, Wales. Using an array of advanced digital restoration tools, Dragon's expert team removed dirt and scratch defects, minimized flicker and brightness fluctuations, and improved image stability throughout the film. The color grade and remastering were carefully refined to enhance the film's presentation while preserving its original authenticity and visual character."

The Monster comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.3 GB

Feature: 29.3 GB

The source looks excellent; the flesh tones and colors look correct, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. While the track sounds clear and balanced, there are times when the score sounds distorted.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with Italian cinema expert Richard Dyer, who discusses Johnny Dorelli and 1970s Italian genre cinema (33 minutes 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival documentary titled Head Bent Forward, featuring comments by Sydne Rome, Renato Scarpa, Enzo Santaniello, and makeup artist Pierantonio Mecacci, and archival footage of Johnny Dorelli (43 minutes 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings, and a 28-page booklet (limited to 3,000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done written by Roberto Curti, archival interviews with Luigi Zampa and Johnny Dorelli, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Luigi Zampa directed The Monster. He’s known for To Live in Peace, Children of Chance, The City Stands Trial, Woman of Rome, Roaring Years, and Secrets of a Nurse.

A low-ranking journalist receives his big break when a serial killer sends him a letter outlining a murder. Following the first letter, he gets a second letter, prompting the journalist to seize the opportunity to make a name for himself.

Although The Monster employs several elements that are synonyms with the giallo, notably obscuring the killer's identity, the result is a different kind of Italian thriller. Besides being a thriller, The Monster is a satire of the genre that effectively blends humor and tension.

The opening setup does an excellent job drawing you in and a series of well-placed twists hold your attention. The narrative moves briskly, giving you little opportunity to dwell on any event. The narrative's strength is its ability to hide the killer's identity, making their motive more powerful.

The protagonist works in journalism, and the way that he and those around him do their job is more relevant than ever. The truth is secondary; instead of integrity, the newspaper's main focus is sensational headlines that drive sales. The protagonist increasingly blurs the line between reporter and subject as he becomes entangled in the very story he is supposed to cover.

When it comes to the performances, the cast, especially Johnny Dorelli in the role of the protagonist, are excellent. He delivers a solid performance that perfectly captures a man willing to do anything to advance his career. Notable cast members are Renzo Palmer (The Big Racket) and Sydne Rome (What?), who portrays a pop star.

While there are a few visually striking moments, The Monster is not a particularly stylish film, allowing the performances to take center stage instead. The most giallo-inspired moment occurs in a scene from Death Walks on High Hills that opens the film. Ennio Morricone's outstanding score in The Monster deserves special mention, as it effectively reinforces the film's mood. Ultimately, The Monster serves as a sharp critique of media manipulation.

The Monster gets a first-rate release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras. Recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer