Deep Red [DVD] [1975] [US Import]

For fans of the genre's thriller, mystery, and horror, this is a movie that their collections should NOT be without. Profondo Rosso (a.k.a. Deep Red) is one of Dario Argento's greatest works and it rightly deserves its spot in the IMDB top 50 horror movies of all time.
The movie's plot sees an American freelance pianist named Marcus Daily witness the murder of a famed female parapsychologist, who also happens to be his neighbour. Following what Marcus witnesses he becomes obsessed with the murder to the point that he decides to figure it out who the killer is himself. Little does he know however that by doing so he will put both his and his friends lives at risk as the killer (who is extremely brutal when it comes to murdering their victims) soon turns their attention to Marcus.
Within the movie there are many scenes that you are unlikely to forget, for instance the table of objects scenes which are accompanyed by a catchy goblin music score, or the mechanical dummy's appearance, or the movie's climax etc.
Profondo Rosso is a movie that is guaranteed to keep you gripped from beginning to end with its unforgettable story, superb matching soundtrack by Goblin (their movie debut I believe), great acting performances and amazing directing by Argento.
I would also like to suggest that instead of purchasing this edition of the DVD that you instead go for the Dario Argento Ultimate Collection (also from Amazon). The reason being is because for just around Ł3.00 extra (at the time of writing) you get the same DVD except with five other Argento movies, these being The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Cat O'Nine Tails, Demons, Demons 2, and Phenomena. This suggestion may however only apply to those who don't own the majority of those movies already.

I wouldn't consider myself one of these Dario Argento buffs, raving about colour and chiarascuro BUT......

.......he does grows on you. The more you watch, the more you want. Not just the films, but the characters and the collection of bizarre moments and shocking clarity too.

I started off thinking the whole 'Italian horror genre' thing was overrated. I got Suspiria on a whim and before I knew it I'd bought and watched Profondo Rosso too.

Its that Argento never seems to play straight.

There are moments of brilliance, style, suspense with genuine oddness but then some real rubbish: cheesy 70's dialogue and awful dubbing - but you can forgive all that and at least the music's not as intrusive as it was in Suspiria.

The editing from one scene to another is very abrupt too. Does he do this deliberately? Or is it a question of taste?

Every time you pin him down he confounds you- like he says on the DVD commentary- he tries to conjure up a dream with twists and turns.

I mean, fancy having slapstick farce in the middle of a very disturbing hacker movie?

The film gets more intruiging as it goes on. Same storyline as a million others but it's the ways its done. Visually splendid, with stunning scenery/sets, framing and his shot selection is second to none.

The opening shot which is in fact part of the credits is VERY disturbing. Don't miss it!

Well worth watching and never boring.

I didn't know what to expect with Profondo Rosso, I thought "maybe something like Halloween", but this is a gorgeous film in it's own right, it is rich in content and thought, it has an old school story telling feel about it, fantastic music by "Goblin" (who also scored the zombie classic "Dawn of the Dead" by George Romero) it is shocking and suspenseful, whilst showing some glorious cinematography (Luigi Keveiller).
I have mentioned "Halloween" by John Carpenter, "Dawn of the Dead" by George Romero and "Goblin" (music score) and they all have an affinity for the work of Dario Argento.

(don't watch it alone with the lights off, especially the secluded cottage bit.........) :)

One scene involving a mechanical doll, nearly made my heart stop, I wont give it away but it's one of those scares that makes your brain work overtime to reassure you that you're ok !

Brilliant, Dario is unique and this is my favourite film of his, and one of my ALL time favourite films.
A wonderful initiation into the world of Giallo.