We’re onto another original before we hit up another remake; in this case we’re talking Suspiria!
Suspiria!
Movie Details:
- Release Date: 1977
- “Run”time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Where to watch it: Streaming
- Directed by: Dario Argento
- Written by: Dario Argento and Dario Nicolodi
- Starring:
- Jessica Harper
- Stefania Casini
- Flavio Bucci
Synopsis: A young American arrives at a prestigious German dance academy, where everything is not what it seems.
Open Stab Wounds (out of 10): 7
Review: The 1970’s gave us some of the most iconic horror films. Not only did it give us some instant classics, but so much horror who’s influence we can still see to this day. Slashers such as Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, sci-fi horror like Alien and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and supernatural horror including The Omen, The Exorcist, and Carrie. During this time we saw the peak of the Giallo, a genre from Italy that could be compared to American Grindhouse cinema. From that movement we got one of the most notable writer/directors by the name of Dario Argento and he gave us Suspira, often cited as his masterpiece.
The film opens on Suzy (Jessica Harper), an American ballet dancer arriving in Germany to attend Tanz Akademie, a prestigious German dance school. Arriving at the academy in the middle of the pouring rain, Suzy is met by a female student rushing out the front door, with fear in her eyes. Suzy rings the intercom to try to get in, but somebody on the other end tells her that they do not know who she is and turns her away.
As Suzy is leaving the academy in the taxi, she notices the student still running through the woods and we cut to the student’s perspective. Pat (Eva Axén), the student who was running in fear, ends up at her friend’s apartment, barely able to speak or convey why she is so scared. Asking her friend for some privacy, she attempts to dry off in the bathroom, but something is keeping her on edge; almost as if she is being watched. It turns out that is true and while looking out the window something reaches in and grabs her. Pat is attacked and pulled to the roof, where she is dropped to her death through a stained glass window with a cable around her neck.
These opening scenes set the stage that something is not right at the academy. Suzy comes back the next morning where she is introduced to her Lead Instructor, Miss Tanner (Alida Valli), and the Deputy Headmistress, Madam Blanc (Joan Bennett). Madam Blanc is in the middle of speaking with local inspectors about Pat’s death the night before and Suzy confirms part of the inspectors questioning about the time Pat was seen leaving.
Throughout Suzy’s stay at the academy she becomes more and more suspicious that something is not right. Incidents and clues keep piling up, along with a few more bodies. Eventually all the pieces come together and Suzy is able to uncover the true secret of the school and has to fight her way to safety or damnation.
Although this film is 45 years old, I’m still going to maintain my spoiler free reviews. I enjoyed the film very much, for what it is, but personally I don’t rate it as high as a lot of the horror community does. There are a lot of holes in the plot that just made me think “how did she know about him,” or “what did he do to screw up?” We can infer things here and there, but some of these questions were just too glaring for me in the end.
Argento’s use of color is one of my favorite parts of this movie. Bright reds, blues, and greens are used to put emphasis on feelings and situations and it is done in a beautiful way. The soundtrack, mostly provided by Italian prog-rock band Goblin, was an outstanding accompaniment to all the suspenseful moments. There is a mix between stunning and questionable cinematography, but the stunning shots definitely stand out over the not so good.
It’s been close to two decades since the last time I watched this and my feelings have not changed much. I can see the beauty and influence that the film has had, but I still don’t think it is THAT good. Maybe it is because I’ve heard so many people over the years praise it as though it is one of the best ever made. Either way, I still think it has a place on the list of horror classics, just maybe not that close to the top. I look forward to watching the 2021 remake tomorrow.
BRANDON’S THOUGHTS: Argento’s use of color is what sets him apart. His films are iconic. This film always puts me to sleep… because it relaxes me. It’s a good movie and one I’m glad to compare to the remake tomorrow!
Open Stab Wounds (out of 10): 7
Thanks for reading and watching along with us! Be sure to keep up with all 31 days of our Halloween Horror Film coverage!
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