While this Itallian-produced horror effort sports two veteran leads and a well-known director it just fails to have any sort of spark.

Michael York is a popular thirty-something concert pianist who starts to go mad and kill people in gory ways after he catches a rare disease that makes him age rapidly. Donald Pleasence is the cop who (very poorly) tries to track him down - apparently not knowing it's the same killer because forensics say it's an older man every time.

This one, like York is his older stages, could use a big dose of Geritol because it's so stale and sluggish with some sloppy plotting punctuated with some really bloody murders (the first stake through the neck is impressive, but by the time the "lampshade" murder occurs we could care less). Plus this is yet another movie that wastes genre favourite Pleasence in a tiny role that's pinnicle is having him freak-out stumbling around the street screaming out "bastard!". Tedious and skippable.

Review based on uncut director's edition.

Directed By: Ruggero Deodato.
Written By: Gigliola Battaglini, Gianfranco Clerice, Vincenzo Mannino.

Starring: Michael York, Donald Pleasence, Edwigne Fenech, Mapi Galan.