Suspiria [Blu-ray]

Overview

A candy-colored nightmare from Italian terror maestro Dario Argento, Suspiria weaves a menacing tale of witchcraft as a fairy tale gone horribly awry. From the moment she arrives in Freiberg, Germany, to attend the prestigious Tans Academy, American ballet-dancer Suzy Banyon (Jessica Harper) senses that something horribly evil lurks within the walls of the age-old institution. Ill at ease as the result of her fellow student's peculiar behavior and increasingly terrified following a series of gruesome and spectacular murders, Suzy slowly begins to unravel the dark history of the academy. Convinced that the occult roots of the school and the horrific tale of its founding mother may hold an unthinkable secret, she begins a hallucinatory journey into the black heart of one of the most powerful witches ever known to exist. As Suzy edges ever closer to a secret that may hold the answers to all of her nightmares, the coven's grip on her soul begins to tighten until there is seemingly no escape. Will Suzy solve the mystery of the cursed academy before the fearsome Black Queen consumes her, or will she finally reveal the secret that has forever haunted the lavish corridors of the academy and bring an end to the Black Queen's terrifying reign?

Product Details

Release Date:	03/13/2018
UPC:	0654930320396
Original Release:	1977
Source:	Synapse Films
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	14,617

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jessica Harper	Suzy Bannion
Stefania Casini	Sara
Joan Bennett	Madame Blanc
Alida Valli	Miss Tanner
Udo Kier	Frank
Flavio Bucci	Daniel
Barbara Magnolfi	Olga
Susanna Javicoli	Sonia
Eva Axen	Pat
Margaret Horowitz	A Teacher,A Teacher
Jacopo Mariani	Albert
Fulvio Mingozzi	Taxi Driver
Renato Zamengo	Caroline,Caroline
Rudolf Schündler	Milius
Giuseppe Transocchi	Pavlo
Miguel Bosé	Mark
Rudolf Schundler	Prof. Milius
Franca Scagnetti	Cook
Renato Scarpa	Prof. Verdegast
Carolyn De Fonseca	Olga
William Kiehl	Narrator
Franca Scognetti	Actor
Miguel Bose	Actor
Agostino Marangolo	Composer
Fabio Pignatelli	Composer
Claudio Simonetti	Composer
Goblin	Composer
Dario Argento	Composer

Technical Credits

Dario Argento

Daria Nicolodi

Dario Argento	Director,Executive Producer,Producer,Screenwriter
Daria Nicolodi	Screenwriter
Germano Natali	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

This superbly moody gothic horror movie by masterful Italian director Dario Argento is probably his best-known film in the States. In Suspiria, as in most of his extraordinarily stylized movies, Argento sacrifices elaborate plotting and characterization in favor of a pervasive sense of dread and looming death. The convoluted story concerns an American dancer (Jessica Harper) who journeys to Freiburg to study ballet, only to uncover dark doings at the mysterious academy she attends. After kicking off with an oddly beautiful bit of ultra-violence, Suspiria settles down into a nightmarish world of dark corridors and strange whispers, culminating in a shocking finale. Harper is suitably disoriented as the innocent who finds herself thrust into the presence of evil, and her character's status as an American abroad adds to her vulnerability and rising panic. In Suspiria, Argento creates an overwhelming feeling of terror that lingers long after the end credits.

Barnes & Noble - Amy Robinson

One of the most striking assaults on the senses ever to be committed to celluloid, legendary Italian horror master Dario Argento's Suspiria will certainly affect viewers whether they like it or not. Unleashed in 1977 to unsuspecting audiences worldwide, this unrelenting tale of the supernatural was -- and likely still is -- the closest a filmmaker has come to capturing a nightmare on film. Even in the eviscerated form in which Suspiria was initially released in most parts of the world (it has since been restored to its original, uncut form) its ability to create a profound feeling of unease is undeniable. Likewise, despite the fact that Suspiria is a film that virtually begs to be seen on the big screen, it remains remarkably potent when viewed on home video if proper measures are taken (viewing the film at the loudest possible volume, preferably with a surround sound stereo is highly recommended). It's reported that while filming, Argento blasted Goblin's supremely menacing score to create a feeling of unease in the actors that would ultimately carry over into the psyche of the audience. A near experimental collage of whispers, sighs, and various other sounds placed against the backdrop of shivering strings and throbbing bass, Goblin's contribution is as essential to the film's impact as Argento's stylistic and unflinching direction. The titular theme, a melodic composition that recalls a childhood lullaby haunted by a sickly voice, is one of the most effective and unforgettable tunes in horror history.

All Movie Guide - Jason Buchanan