Search - Tenebre on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Gore Movie Release: 1982 DVD Release: 03/16/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, Italian SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 41 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 8 Genres: Horror, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Giallo See Also: Tenebre [Special Edition]

Dario Argento leaves a distinct and bloody impression with this Italian horror film that took the slasher genre to graphic new limits at the time of its release. Novelist Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) jets into Rome to promote his new book. Simultaneously, a killer obsessed with Neal begins a brutal series of murders that are followed by cryptic notes to the author. Inspector Germani (Giuliano Gemma) questions Neal, who then begins his own investigation into the bizarre case with the help of his assistant, Anne (Daria Nicolodi), and local youth Gianni (Christian Borromeo). Neal and Gianni follow leads to the home of a TV talk-show host (John Steiner), who is axed to death in front of Gianni while Neal is knocked unconscious. As they close in on the killer, flashbacks show the killer's murderous beginnings and an obsession with red shoes. Meanwhile, Neal's publicist, Bullmer (John Saxon), is revealed to be having an affair with the author's ex-lover, Jane (Veronica Lario), making them both potential suspects. Inspector Germani insists that Neal leave town, but even when he does, the killer strikes again, knifing Bullmer in broad daylight. At the same time, Gianni returns to the home of the dead talk-show host and recalls an important detail about the murder. However, he is strangled before he can tell anyone. At her apartment, Jane is brutally slain just as Inspector Germani arrives to discover the murderer's identity, along with the shocking, twist-filled truth behind the entire case. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide

Anthony Franciosa - Peter Neal
John Saxon - Bullmer
Daria Nicolodi - Anne
Giuliano Gemma - Detective Germani
Mirella D'Angelo

Anchor Bay strikes again with the first ever uncensored stateside release of Dario Argento's pivotal 1982 thriller Tenebre. From the moment the attractive (and sometimes frightening) title menu appears, it's obvious that Anchor Bay has put considerable time and thought into giving the film the best presentation possible. They have succeeded admirably. Letterboxed at 1.85:1, the nearly 20-year old film looks better than ever. Sharp and vivid, the image complements Argento and director of photography Luciano Tovoli's chilly vision, never appearing washed-out or grainy, or displaying any significant artifacting. Though it isn't likely to push your top-of-the-line home theater system into overdrive, the English Dolby Digital remix (audio is also offered in Italian mono) does well in creating atmosphere, delivering shocks, and delivering Goblin's memorable score. With their Dario Argento Collection, Anchor Bay has also striven (with generally successful results) to provide fans of Argento's films with exciting and insightful extras. Argentophiles will delight in the informative audio commentary track in which Argento, along with Goblin Claudio Simonetti and journalist Loris Curci, discusses the film's origins, technical challenges, and curious subtexts. Being that Argento's films are frequently censored before overseas release, it's nice to hear Argento commenting on an unspoiled release (though eagle-eyed fans will note a few missing frames here and there), even offering humorous insight into the butchered over-the-house sequence that Argento fought to keep in the film. Other extra features such as a theatrical trailer, two entertaining behind-the-scenes segments, and alternate end-credits music (which Argento wasn't aware of on initial viewing!) round out Anchor Bay's satisfying presentation of a film that many Argento fans hold in high regard. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide