Review of Suspiria (1977) by Carl R — 21 Dec 2009
Incoherent,weird,overacted, vividly coloured with a fantastically effective musical score- this is gialli maestro Dario Argento's terrifying masterpiece,Suspiria.
Released in 1977,Argento's brilliantly twisted fairytale follows American student Suzy Bannion as she arrives in Germany to enroll in the school of ballet.But after a series of bizarre student deaths, it slowly dawns on Suzy that all is not ok with the school and it's staff are actually a coven of witches lead by the mysterious Helena Markos- the shools founder,a legendary black witch,not seen or heard of in decades.
Suspiria is mind-fuck horror at it's best.A terrifying trip into a macabre world of black magic,maggots,primary colours and murder.Suspiria will have you in sensory overload,take you to a world of fear that often defies reason,much like a nightmare ,and thats what Argento's films are all about- creating a highly visual celluloid nightmare.
As excellent as Suspiria is though,the film wouldn't have been so chillingly atmospheric without the inclusion of Goblin's tremendous,haunting score- possibly my favourite film score.
Rumour has it,Argento had planned on using actual child actors as the students,but that idea was scrapped following the film studio's objections to the torturous demands of the take and the numerous ghastly sequences the kids would be subjected to.
Dario Argento is a name that resonates with all horror fans,a genre legend,a man who's large body of work is as unique, spellbinding and artsy as horror gets.
About to get a UK DVD reissue in January,Suspiria is a movie that should be in every horror fans collection.
This review of Suspiria (1977) was written by Carl R on 21 Dec 2009.
Suspiria has generally received very positive reviews.
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