Suspiria
1976
Argento's masterpiece of horror, with its assault of garish colors, booming soundtrack and horrifically dreamlike set pieces, is the cinematic equivalent of an exceptionally scary fun house. It tells the story of Susan (Harper) a young, impressionable American who travels abroad in order to study at a prestigious European .. Read more
| Starring | Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Alida Valli, Joan Bennett |
|---|---|
| Director | Dario Argento |
| Genres | Horror |
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Suspiria
Argento's masterpiece of horror, with its assault of garish colors, booming soundtrack and horrifically dreamlike set pieces, is the cinematic equivalent of an exceptionally scary fun house. It tells the story of Susan (Harper) a young, impressionable American who travels abroad in order to study at a prestigious European ballet academy. From the first day, however, she begins to realize that frightening things are afoot at the hallowed institution. Enduring a rain of maggots, poisoned food and other unpleasant occurrences, she discovers that the school is a secret convening place for an ages-old witches' coven. Cut to various lengths due to violent content, the film's original full running time is 100 minutes.
| Starring | Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Alida Valli, Joan Bennett |
|---|---|
| Director | Dario Argento |
| Studio | ANCHOR BAY HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 34 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Horror Films |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | French, Italian |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1976 |
| Format | DVD |
Suspiria (1976)
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Critics' reviews (4)
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In this landmark horror fantasy from cult director Dario Argento — dubbed the Italian Hitchcock for his mastery of suspense — Jessica Harper plays a dancer at a German ballet school where witches prowl the corridors. The famous opening 20 minutes of this Snow White fairy tale (by way of Thomas De Quincey's hallucinatory Confessions of an Opium Eater) are an unforgettable experience, and the whole is a stunning combination of menacing Grand Guignol atmosphere, dazzling colours, gory violence, lush décor and pounding soundtrack.
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Psycho meets The Exorcist, with no holds barred: a genuinely scary thriller with gaudy visuals and a screaming sound track. A pyrotechnic display for those who can take it.
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Most helpful member's review
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22 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Notoriously sadistic moments
I was hoping for so much from this film after being scared witless by dir. Argento. Suspiria has great colour, shocking random violence and a genuinely unsettling atmosphere; but half its edge is due to the awful editing and dubbing, hilarious repetitive soundtrack and some totally random incidents apparently included to simply heighten this disorientation. Think of this work as a disturbing montage and its notable; but as a movie with a story it is a childish fairytale and will leave you laughing at its appalling plot holes, even if you enjoy it's notoriously sadistic moments.
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Most recent members' review
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15 out of 17 people found this review helpful
The Witching Hour
Many years ago when 'The Scala' in Kings Cross was a cinema and not a club I went to see a late night viewing of several Argento films. At this time I was aware of Argento's talents having seen 'The Bird with the Crystal Plumage' and 'Profondo Rosso'. I did not know anything about Suspiria and was quite taken aback expecting something along the lines of the afore mentioned movies. What I got was a beautifully vivid descent into hell. Suspiria is exciting, dark and thought provoking. Watch it.
It is about a young girl Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) who gets a place at a famous ballet school. On her arrival she is greeted by some wierd and wonderful characters and a school full of scared students. It doesn't take long for Argento to play all his cards and let you into the fact that the girls are going to be bumped off in a series of well thought out and odd ways. We are also subjected to 'Goblins' most bizarre and scary score. The music loops, building some great atmosphere and suspense. This film will not date I asure you even with the dodgy seventies haircuts.
Watch in the dark, in a thunderstorm, in a tutu, in the bathroom (just in case!!!). -
News and features
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- 04 Oct 2005
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