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 | DVD: 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 -
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
horromedy
with beautifully lush (and red) sets with M.C. Escher wall patterns and slightly Gothic architecture the scenery is amazing. the minor actors act roles so stereotypical of the horror genre that they remould the stereotype. the mistress who looks like the lead guy from prodigy to the blond hair blue eyed child straight out of village of the damned. of course this is a senior ballet school so lots of pretty women. however they way its all brought together it is just hilarious. ketchup blood to an arm that kills a women. this arm has its torso just off camera or behind a dark sheet. the best thing though was the shear stupidity of either the prey or the predator. such as this knife becomes animated about to kill this women but has to get through a door with a latch. somehow it can left the latch but not all the way and so the scene drags on and on till finally the prey falls inexplicably into barbed wire. what a film.
-
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)
81.2% from 80 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
-
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 ...
-