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From Amazon.co.uk
Outside of devoted cult audiences, many Americans have yet to discover the extremely stylish, relentlessly terrifying Italian horror genre, or the films of its talented virtuoso, Dario Argento. Suspiria, part one of a still-uncompleted trilogy (the luminously empty Inferno was the second), is considered his masterpiece by Argento devotees but also doubles as a perfect starting point for those unfamiliar with the director or his genre. The convoluted plot follows an American dancer (Jessica Harper) from her arrival at a European ballet school to her discovery that it's actually a witches coven; but, really, don't worry about that too much. Argento makes narrative subservient to technique, preferring instead to assault the senses and nervous system with mood, atmosphere, illusory gore, garish set production, a menacing camera, and perhaps the creepiest score ever created for a movie. It's essentially a series of effectively unsettling set pieces--a raging storm that Harper should have taken for an omen, and a blind man attacked by his own dog are just two examples--strung together on a skeleton structure. But once you've seen it, you'll never forget it. --Dave McCoy
Review
Probably The Finest Italian Horror Movie Ever Made ---The Dark Side
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Ceallaigh
Format:DVD
This is my favourite Dario Argento yet without doubt, and though there are many of his I have yet to see (including his classic Inferno), I can't see that changing...it's just a unique horror film, extremely clever, extremely well made, and beautifully filmed and choreographed...I have always loved Argento's over-the-top, elaborate murder scenes, which are especially good in Suspiria (the first murder scene surely goes down as one of the greatest horror scenes ever)...the cinematography, the sets, the unreal, almost psychedelic use of colour, the art noveau style...
Goblin's fantastic soundtrack is also unlike any other in horror films...using bizarre instruments like sitar and didgeridoo, much of it isn't even musical...it just matches the film perfectly, and acts as a truly horrific wall of noise some times, reaching in incredible crescendo at the right moments, which sounds great on this restored, great quality release...the visual quality is perfect too, could have been made ten years ago...I imagine the blu ray looks even better...
and on top of this the theme and setting is original and works really well too...generally a fan of serious, supernatural and witch-related films, I love the idea of this mysterious coven in a ballet school...
Can't fault this DVD...though I would love to see a nicely packaged Arrow Video release, the flawless quality of the restored film itself, and the special features - featuring film critics such as Kim Newman and the thoughts of Argento himself and Goblin's keyboard wizard Claudio Simonetti - definitely make it worth getting.
Goblin's fantastic soundtrack is also unlike any other in horror films...using bizarre instruments like sitar and didgeridoo, much of it isn't even musical...it just matches the film perfectly, and acts as a truly horrific wall of noise some times, reaching in incredible crescendo at the right moments, which sounds great on this restored, great quality release...the visual quality is perfect too, could have been made ten years ago...I imagine the blu ray looks even better...
and on top of this the theme and setting is original and works really well too...generally a fan of serious, supernatural and witch-related films, I love the idea of this mysterious coven in a ballet school...
Can't fault this DVD...though I would love to see a nicely packaged Arrow Video release, the flawless quality of the restored film itself, and the special features - featuring film critics such as Kim Newman and the thoughts of Argento himself and Goblin's keyboard wizard Claudio Simonetti - definitely make it worth getting.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By a reader
Format:DVD
This movie is an Argento classic. It is a top quality horror film.Even better than the other works of Argento that I have seen.I read somewhere, when they were writing the story they used Jung psychology, the Snowwhite story etc.Well whatever they used they used very cleverly.Also the colours etc are so well managed that I feel sorry the technicolor technic was stopped using by movie makers. The surrealistic atmosphere it gives is very important I believe. I have watched two more recent movies of Argento that were OK but the usage of real colours really makes it less good.There are some very gory scenes which apparently is an important element of Italian giallo but to me it does not add to the quality of the film rather reduces, because I like horror through the story not knives and blood. Still it is such a successful film that I can easily ignore it.Also some simply do not like horror but I believe the story is very optimistic, it is about overcoming the horrible. A young girl with childlike innocence manages to overcome the great black witch, solving the mystery using good reason etc. I mean even the message is valuable, you could teach it to your children "you can overcome big problems by thinking well and acting cleverly" although I would never allow a child watch it.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Coastin Bear
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
...a real chance to show just how impressive blu-ray can be.
I have numerous copies of Suspiria, from the first X-certificate ex-rental VHS through to the Anchor Bay DVD. I have watched the film more times than I care to remember. I thought I knew the film inside-out.
On my first viewing of this blu-ray release, however, I found myself thinking "never noticed that before" over and over again. The effect of most DVD to blu-ray comparisons is noticing the accentuated lines, textures and colours. This blu-ray made me notice things like subtle expressions on faces that, knowing Dario, must have been carefully directed but were easily missed on other formats. The most startling example for me is the expression on the face of Madame Blanc's nephew during Suzy's first encounter with witchcraft as she follows the other dancers to the Red Room. I love that scene, but never noticed that during the "blast" of light, a slight grin spreads across his face that then fades as the light fades. Perfectly timed - and incredibly creepy!
Let's have the same again for Profondo Rosso!
I have numerous copies of Suspiria, from the first X-certificate ex-rental VHS through to the Anchor Bay DVD. I have watched the film more times than I care to remember. I thought I knew the film inside-out.
On my first viewing of this blu-ray release, however, I found myself thinking "never noticed that before" over and over again. The effect of most DVD to blu-ray comparisons is noticing the accentuated lines, textures and colours. This blu-ray made me notice things like subtle expressions on faces that, knowing Dario, must have been carefully directed but were easily missed on other formats. The most startling example for me is the expression on the face of Madame Blanc's nephew during Suzy's first encounter with witchcraft as she follows the other dancers to the Red Room. I love that scene, but never noticed that during the "blast" of light, a slight grin spreads across his face that then fades as the light fades. Perfectly timed - and incredibly creepy!
Let's have the same again for Profondo Rosso!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
None of other languages available
Great movie, but none of the languages that are stated by amazon is available. Maybe amazon should change their database, because this problem is obvious if you just read the... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Andreas Mitterhofer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MINDBLOWING CLASSIC
Having seen quite a few Argento movies I wouldn't consider myself a fan of his work (I prefer Fulci's work), but there are a few works that truly stand out, like the STENDHAL... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Sick-o
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Masterpiece of Dario Argento's work.
First things first, let's briefly look at the film itself...I wont waste time as any horror fan worth their salt will no doubt have seen the legendary 'Suspiria' countless times by... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Puzzle box
5.0 out of 5 stars
aNJOTHER CLASSIC BY DARIO ARGENTO
I love watching Dario Argento and Suspiria is my joint favourite film along with Phenomena. I also chose the italian import of Suspira as it was £11 cheaper than the English... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Graham Rawlins
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great dissapointment
I was so looking forward to seeing this film, but god is it overrated . This is an ok film with the occasional nice shot , only watch if you have nothing better to do. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Scott Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
ARGENTO CLASSIC SUSPIRIA 1977
ANOTHER DARIO ARGENTO CLASSIC. SUSPIRIA WAS REALEASED IN 19777 AND THE BLUE RAY COPY BRINGS ALL THE COLOUR'S TO LIFE. A GREAT FILM AND FIRST STORY IN THE THREE MOTHERS TRILOGY. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. J. Reynolds-wallder
4.0 out of 5 stars
A cautious buy.
Whilst I was delighted to see that one of my favourite Dario Argento films was available on blu ray I was hesitant because of the negative reviews on Amazon. Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. Crossman
5.0 out of 5 stars
First time for Suspiria
Being an avid horror fan I had been waiting to watch Suspiria for some time.
I bought the Blu Ray for a great price and eagerly awaited its delivery. Read more
I bought the Blu Ray for a great price and eagerly awaited its delivery. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ben
2.0 out of 5 stars
sound volume of music much too high
I can't believe how annoying loud the soundtrack is - it blows your ears away, disturbing!
Whereas the dialogues are kind of whispered. Read more
Whereas the dialogues are kind of whispered. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr Djax
5.0 out of 5 stars
"..SMART HORROR.."
Considering this film was made in 1977 it's very forward thinking and has allot of interesting ideas and visually intense stuff going on! Read more
Published 13 months ago by S. Drury
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