Michael York is Robert Dominici, a pianist who is rapidly aging due to a genetic defect. As if losing his hair and virility weren't enough, he is losing his mind as well. After killing his doctor to prevent word of his condition from spreading, his mental health continues to deteriorate, causing him to indulge in murderous acts. His rapid degeneration does have the positive aspect of making him unrecognizable to the police, which is handy when playing cat-and-mouse with Inspctor Datti (Donald Pleasence).
The film contains several fantastically gory set pieces, yet never dives into slasher territory. Some of the effects are on the cheap side (the mannequin in a dream sequence, notably) but the main gore pieces are satisfactory in their realism and execution. The bloodshed alone, however, isn't what makes Phantom of Death work. It is an interesting concept, and a competently, if safely, made film. It's the acting, strangely enough, that I enjoyed most. I don't often say that about these films. Deodato made good use of York, Pleasence, and the lovely Edwidge Fenech, whose real voice can be heard here. I found this to be one of the better Italian-made thrillers to come out of late 80s.
