Music is an important part of this DVD presentation. Composer Stelvio Cipriani noodles around on his piano before introducing Colt 38, and has a half hour interview discussing his music and working with director Massimo Dallamano. The film also features the then little known Grace Jones, seen here as soul singer and far from the intimidating presence she would become.

The Rip-Off has a few comic stunts, but is more labored than funny. The story behind the film is actually more interesting than the film. Life duplicated life when the producer of this film about a kidnapping scheme was kidnapped himself. The Rip-Off was officially shelved and considered lost following this incident, althought the producer was released unharmed. The DVD by NoShame is the first time this film has publicly become available in any format. Director Luciano Ercoli was more effective with his Death Walks giallo films. Similarily, star Walter Chiari has been in much better films. There is some cleverness as Chiari, seen above with his two partners, follows the kidnappers with assorted trucks and cars, but more often The Rip-Off is the kind of film that is funnier in description than what actually on screen. Had the filmmakers achieved their aspirations, The Rip-Off would have succeeded as a blend of The Italian Job (the original version) and Big Deal on Madonna Street.