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
Haunting ^ I saw this movie a few months ago and I still haven't quite been able to put it out of my mind. It's not a horror film in the sense that it was "scary" - I think few movies truly are - and I think to refer to it simply as such robs it of its ambiance. The score is mesmerizing, the set is dreamlike, the acting is surprisingly good for the genre and the era, and although I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a perfect film, I do understand why it's referred to as Argento's masterpiece. Watching this film is like watching a Dali painting become tangible. The opening sequence of this film is something that will remain with me for a long time. It won't give you a quick thrill, and it won't wow you with a fabulous plot or intensely graphic scenes like those found in today's gore films (save for one particular memorable death), but it's a great movie if you take it for what it is and don't fault it for what it is not.
What I've Been Waiting For! ^ I was very impressed with the upgraded audio quality on this disc. It was such a big difference from the older releases that it was like watching a different movie!
Fairy Tale Horror ^ Many have said that Suspiria is the bloody mirror image of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and, to be perfectly honest, it is. An exercise in atmosphere and exploitation at the same time, Suspiria is an incredibly violent account of a ballet student who comes to a celebrated dance academy in Germany, which, ironically, is situated in The Black Forest. Well the story really takes a turn for the worst once the student, Suzy Bannon (Jessica Harper), finds out that the school is run by a coven of witches. The story is pretty thin in terms of depth, but never have I beared witness to such beautifully photographed death sequences. I know that sounds morbid, but one has to see it to believe it. What could've became violent exploitative trash turns into beautiful, Gothic cinema that unravels like an onion of bloody delight. On an educated note, the film is very well known for its use of color, and this is because it uses 3-strip Technicolor. This same process was used for The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. Normal red turns into something of a nightmarish crimson, adding more to this violent extravaganza. A-.
Not as good as everyone says it is. ^ I have been a horror fan since I got nightmares from watching the Shining at a very young age. Even the nightmares could not stop me from wanting more and more from this often looked down upon genre. Even today, as bad as they might be, I just can't stay away from some of the worst movies this Genre has to offer. I have always heard about Suspiria and it's visionary director, Dario Argento. I have even seen clips, of the movie, and thought it seemed interesting visually, but for some reason or another I never did seek it out. We'll it did come on one of the Premium channels last week, and I Tivo'd it for later. I sat down very excited with the bowl of popcorn, ready for some horror like I had never experienced. And I waited. And I waited. And I waited. Aside from the first death at the beginning and a closet scene at the end, the movie never really impressed me. Is the soundtrack good? Yes, it's very creepy and excellent, although a little overused at times. Is the lighting good? Again, yes, very good use of lighting, I'm sure film students all over the world could get an education from it. Is the movie actually good? I really can't say it is. If your a film buff or a horror fan, and you haven't seen it, then I suppose a watch wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. As I said before, it has it's moments. It also has a really good premise. The whole time I was thinking that if someone would respect the way in which it was shot and the soundtrack, that it would be a great remake. As long as Rob Zombie did not do it that is. But as a movie, it's just not very good. The mood is very well set, there just isn't much going on inside it.
Horror's version of Lost in Translation ^ Suspiria may be one of the most polarizing films in the horror genre. Like the movie Lost in Translation, people seem to either love it or hate it (I hated Lost in Translation as well). Many fans of Suspiria will claim those who hate it just aren't smart enough to get the movie. Those who despise Suspiria wonder what flavor of Kool-Aid the fans have been drinking. I won't rehash the plot since it's been summarized over many reviews, but I do think the film is worth watching (but only once). The first death sequence is quite shocking and the music is one of the most haunting horror scores I've ever heard.
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