NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Mondo Macabro Blu-ray (November 2021): Mondo Macabro have transferred Maurizio Lucidi's The Designated Victim to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand new 4k transfer from film negative". Opening text screens also state: "This 4k restoration of The Designated Victim (Maurizio Lucidi, 1971) was made by the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, in collaboration with Surf Film, using the original reversal negative and audio elements. The work was carried out at L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in Bologna in 2021." Included with the original version is an extended version which is about 4-minute longer. Unfortunately those, brief, extended scenes are a dramatic drop in quality - they are also picture-boxed (see 4 samples below) and distracting. I didn't find the extended scenes added much to the film and would preferably recommend the theatrical version which looks quite strong in 1080P with fine textures and has consistent visuals.

NOTE: We have added 46 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Mondo Macabro use a linear PCM mono tracks - 24-bit for the English DUB and 16-bit for the original Italian track. NOTE: The extended version has no DUB offered. Effects are export flat and authentically tinny. The Designated Victim has a score by Luis Bacalov (Django, The Seduction, Il Postino, A Bullet for the General, Shoot First, Die Later, Django Unchained, City of Women) including his own Concerto Grosso No. 1. Tomas Milian sings the lead vocals for the song "My Shadow in the Dark", which the band New Trolls wrote for The Designated Victim. Audio is consistent and clean in the lossless transfer. Mondo Macabro offer optional English subtitles on both version housed on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Fragments of Fear (Peter Jilmstad and Rachael Nisbet.) They discuss The Designated Victim's connection to Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train , and how it is a pleasure not being another Argento-copy having it's own more subtle Giallo-esque style. They talk about actors Tomas Milian, Pierre Clémenti, Katia Christine, Luigi Casellato - writers Fulvio Gicca Palli (screenplay). Augusto Caminito (story), Aldo Lado (story), DoP Aldo Tonti and others involved in the production. It's a very good commentary if often both are simply reading. There is also a 50-minute interview with writer and assistant director Aldo Lado. He wrote screenplays for 21 films between 1968 and 2004 and directed 14 films between 1971 and 1994 including Short Night of Glass Dolls, Who Saw Her Die?, Night Train Murders. Mondo Macabro also include a 1/2 hour interview with Balthazar Clementi and a few minutes of alternate scenes, a trailer and their own previews reel. 

Maurizio Lucidi's The Designated Victim is recognized as a Giallo. It's quite a good, cerebral, thriller with some subtle stylistic flair. The 'perfect murder crime' themes are realized effectively while set in picturesque Milan and Venice. I was very happy to see it. The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray is a good package with a highly pleasing theatrical cut a/v, a revealing commentary and two lengthy interviews. Fans of 70's Giallo genre will be pleased to add this to their collection. Recommended! 

Gary Tooze