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 |
loading...
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)
-
Critics' reviews (4)
View all -
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.
-
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.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
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.
-
Most recent members' review
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Beautifully hideous decor!
Well, I had read rave reviews about Suspiria, and was only slightly disappointed.
This is definately a movie for you if you like lots of red lighting and weird screeching music!!!
Not really much happening after the first murder, but curiosity will keep you watching...if only in the hope it will get better!!
I have to admit though, the direction is amazing and the decor beautifully hideous in all it's glory. The constant change from red lighting to green lighting can get slightly annoying, as can the incredibly overloud odd screeching music.
Definately a feast for the eyes. -
News and features
View all
Texas Chainsaw Massacre scariest ever
- 04 Oct 2005
The original version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been voted as the scariest movie of all time by readers of the US magazine Giant. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was made in 1974, and directed by Tobe Hooper, who also directed Poltergeist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 in 1986. A re-make of the original was released in 2003, starring Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen and Eric Balfour. The Silence Of The Lambs, with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, was voted in second... Read more
-
More like this
View allShowing 1 to 4 of 20
Related user collection
The Ultimate Horror Movie List (158)
81.4% from 79 members
