Product Description Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 09/25/2007
Amazon.com 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
Wonderful!!January 6, 2009 This movie is just great plain and simple, its a must own edition for any dario argento fan.
"What do you know about witches?"December 23, 2008 I'm not going to insult your intelligence. I don't think you stumbled across this movie by chance. You've heard of it from somewhere. You're interested. And if you can suspend disbelief and just enjoy a movie then you've come to the right place. This movie has engaging characters, a storyline that certainly isn't hard to follow, trippy soundtrack, and a few shocking scenes... of what? Watch it and see for yourself! That's part of the fun!
Over the Top, Technicolor, Pseudo-"Slasher"November 17, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The work of Italian director Dario Argento may truly be an acquired taste. This tale of an American girl arriving at a European ballet academy and discovering its sinister secrets is interestingly executed but may leave viewers perplexed.
"Suspiria" carries a reputation of being a great horror film. It's not brilliant, really, but it's also not the worst thing on celluloid. I understand its importance as an international horror film. It's known for it's bizarre use of vivid colors and its over the top production design. Those are the most memorable things about this movie.
The best thing in this film is the first murder which occurs about ten minutes or so into the film. It's pretty sensational. But the film overall lacks a lot in substance and story. It's basically a stylish yet flimsy movie. For me it is worth seeing once. I would have no desire to see it again. I'm afraid I was not very impressed with it. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea. I know it has many admirers.
The film is in English but some of the Euorpean actors had trouble speaking English, so their dialogue was later dubbed to be more understandable. This results in a film that seems dubbed but a couple of characters sound like they weren't dubbed (which is exactly what happened).
The music (which has been praised a lot) is too loud, and really isn't great compared to other horror films of the 1970's.
So I would suggest that it's worth renting to see this film that is on so many of the 'Greatest Horror Movies' lists. You may find yourself, like I was, wondering where the real horror was. Personally I'd rather watch a truly scary 1970's horror movie like "Black Christmas" or "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
Definitely where an Argento newbie should start!November 9, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Suspiria has a very ominous beginning, and great musical score that is not only slightly scary, and used throughout as foreshadowing, but also appropriate for the plot and main character: Suzie, a ballerina traveling from NY to Germany for a dancing scholarship. Upon arrival to her new academy she encounters an eerie, gruesome murder of a recently expelled student. Soon thereafter she falls understandably ill after seeing an anonymous, hideous looking woman (picture the offspring of Capt. Lou Albano and an Eastern European bearded-lady carnival worker) who looks after the schoolmaster's creepy, Little Boy Blue nephew.
Essentially, the movie breaks down as a mystery; the killer, cause, and source of evil is completely unknown and secretive until the final suspenseful moment. It's psychotic and seductive, a true horror tale that leaves the exposition as minimal as possible and saturates the senses with prolonged action and climaxes.
This is where Argento's reputation is well deserved. While the story and acting are average, the framing of colors and shadows are wonderful contrasts that can't be avoided; they simply grab a viewer's attention. The camera angles and scenery are stupendous, with soul piercing close-ups and epic, wide-angle work, each scene is framed with a deliberateness that works perfectly. At one point a shadow is so masterfully filmed during a chase scene that it appears to be the tormentor or evil entity that seems to be ever-so-elusive in Argento movies. Brilliant.
For those who want to jump into Argento, learn from my mistake and begin with Suspiria; because, Inferno is not where you need to begin.
great movieNovember 1, 2008 I love horror movies, and this is probably one of my top three favorites. The story is ok, but the way the movie is shot and the technicolor are amazing. this movie is too good.
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