Search - Suspiria [Widescreen]

Suspiria [Widescreen]

Actor(s): Jessica Harper, Joan Bennett, Alida Valli, Stefania Casini
Director(s): Dario Argento
13

Details

MPAA Rating: NR
Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Gore
Movie Release: 1977
DVD Release: 09/11/2001
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Edition: Special Collection
Audio Tracks: English, French, Italian
Subtitles: English
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins
Studio: Anchor Bay
Members Wishing: 7
Genres: Horror, Supernatural Horror, Gothic Film
See Also: Suspiria [Limited Edition], Suspiria

Synopsis

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? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Cast

Jessica Harper - Suzy Bannion
Joan Bennett - Madame Blanc
Alida Valli - Ballet Mistress
Stefania Casini - Sara

Editorial Review

Beginning work on their stunning special edition release of Dario Argento's supernatural giallo masterpiece Suspiria at the same time they were preparing his Deep Red for release, Anchor Bay Entertainment took its time obsessing on the details for this massive 3-disc set.
Presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions, this film has never looked better on any home video release, easily putting to shame the previously released Image laserdisc that served as the definitive version of the film for many years. Colors are rich and vibrant, and the screaming primary hues are razor-sharp, with color bleeding and edge enhancement virtually nonexistent. Blacks are solid and dense, giving eerie depth in their realization of the film's many dark scenes. The sound is nothing short of spectacular as well, with the closed-captioned Dolby Digital EX 5.1 taking full advantage of all channels. Whispers and sighs linger and shift from speaker to speaker throughout the film, and Goblin's unsettlingly loud score blasts from the soundtrack, creating precisely the discomfort that it aims to achieve. Upon initial release, many fans lamented slight discrepencies with the film's soundtrack as presented here as opposed to it's presentation on previous releases. Though this slight alteration may induce slightly discomforting unfamiliarity in longtime fans familiar with each precise sound cue and pitch, the sound as presented here bears the director's mark of approval and is otherwise as sharp and effective as ever. The opening storm is a auditory marvel, easily rivaling that of the most recent DVD releases of contemporary films. Extra audio tracks are offered in closed-captioned English DTS ES 6.1, as well as French and Italian Dolby Digital Surround.
Abundant and generous extras, though incidental in some respects, will come as a pleasant surprise, easing fans' extended wait for a DVD release of this title by offering an overabundance of materials. Theatrical trailers, TV spots, a poster and still gallery, lobby cards, and talent bios offer enticing and entertaining diversions, while a Daemonia music video is slightly squirm-inducing in its cheesy, shot-on-video stylistic excess. A 52-minute 25th anniversary documentary offers little more than talking-head interviews with key contributors, though it will certainly be of interest to Suspiria devotees. The inclusion of the Goblin soundtrack is a welcome addition as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide