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MOVIE SCORE |
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DVD SCORE |
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REVIEWER |
WesCraven |
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REVIEW DATE |
2nd September, 2004 |
Review Quote
"The set pieces are another of Argento's mastery. The sets are quite beautiful and mesmerizing, and they go a long way to making the film quite creepy and scary with the long hallways, clever lighting, and the overall majestic grandeur of it all."
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The Plot
A girl travels from New York to Germany to attend a ballet school. What she learns instead is something truly frightening.
The Movie
After hearing for sometime now that it is Dario Argento (and not Lucio Fulci) who is Italy's true master of horror, I decided to give "Suspiria", one of his more popular titles, a try. What I found was that Argento is not better than Fulci, nor is he worse; Dario Argento is just vastly different. What Argento lacks in horrifying gore, he makes up for in his unmistakable visual style.
The colors of this film are amazing. Argento and director of photography Luciano Tovoli used a now obsolete film technique to bring out the colors in every scene, and I must admit it looks absolutely fantastic. The greens, the blues, the reds (definately the reds) all look great, and just add to the whole surreal atmosphere of the film. The set pieces are another of Argento's mastery. The sets are quite beautiful and mesmerizing, and they go a long way to making the film quite creepy and scary with the long hallways, clever lighting, and the overall majestic grandeur of it all.
Now I must point out Argento was not perfect in this film. Argento, like Fulci, has a little problem with plot holes, or at least connecting certain scenes. Especially near the beginning, I really didn't know who the people were, and what they were doing, it didn't make a whole lot of sense. There are other times as well, not many, but enough to notice, and be possibly annoyed. Another thing that wasn't so spectacular was the dubbing, but as was explained in one of the extras this was a problem waiting to happen. Not all the dubbing was bad, but there were certain parts that weren't at all effective. However, with so many of the other parts of the movie being so good, I was easily able to get past these setbacks.
The effects in general are no match for Fulci. However, like I said they are two quite different directors. While Lucio is more into the showing the explicitness of the murders (blood, guts, torn skin). Argento is on the other hand a little more concerned with showing how horrifying the deaths are. He also has a style that is both brutal, and yet, almost beautiful.
***SPOILERS***
My only complaint is that we never get to view the killer in action (other than his arm), or more we never really find out who it is. I can get past the low number of kills, which was somewhat surprising to me, but it just seemed weird that we never find out who committed the murders (though it appears to be a male).
***END SPOILERS***
The music, my oh my. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this score is the best score for a horror film I have ever heard, maybe for any type of film. It's creepy, weird, totally creates suspense and unease. Written and performed by Goblins, it is truly amazing in terms helping create the mood of absolute horror.
All in all, the movie was pretty good. Anyone who likes horror will be pleased. Gorehounds might be slightly let down, but will probably still enjoy it. In the end of it all, I can't wait to see my next Dario Argento film.
The DVD
This Anchor Bay 3-disc release just reeks of greatness. The visual and audio transfers are simply magnificent, possibly the best I have ever witnessed. The extras are also pretty good. One disc one we get two theatrical trailers, a TV spot, three radio spots, a Daemonia music video, a poster and still gallery, and talent bios.
On disc two we get a very interesting 52 minute documentary on the 25 anniversary of "Suspiria". It's a little jarring at first because half of it is in English, and the other half is in Italian (dubbed), but like all other subtitled things, you soon forget that you're reading (though I wish they would have chosen a different color, at times it was semi-difficult to read it). Overall though it was very entertaining. With disc 3 we get the Goblin performed "Suspiria" soundtrack, which I must say is quite a treat. If you enjoyed the music in "Suspiria" you'll definately love this disc. Also included is a fat booklet full of pictures, information about "Suspiria", and an interview with Jessica Harper. We also get some cardstock film cells.
All in all, the DVD extras here for a 3-disc release might seem a little on the small side to some, but to me I was not let down. I will always take more, always, but this DVD was no slouch in my eyes, it is in fact one of the better releases I have seen.
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Director
Dario Argento
Cast
Jessica Harper
Stefania Casini
Alida Valli
Joan Bennett
Flavio Bucci
Screenplay
Dario Argento
Daria Nicolodi
Tagline
"The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of this film, is the first 92."
Country
Italy
Classification
Not Rated
Year
1977
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Format
NTSC
Region Coding
1
Aspect Ratio
2.35:1
16x9 Enhanced
Yes
Running Time
98 minutes
Year Released
2001
Packaging
Keep Case
Extra Features
Documentary
Soundtrack
Music Video
TV Spot
Radio Spots
Poster and Stills Gallery
Talent Bios
Theatrical Trailers
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This Version On DVD
Region 1: Buy Me Now
Other Versions On DVD
Region 0: Not Available
Region 1: Buy Me Now
Region 2: Buy Me Now
Region 3: Not Available
Region 4: Not Available
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If you find any errors in this review, know of any other versions of this DVD available or no longer available, send us an e-mail so we can get the word out to the horror community.
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