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One of the creepiest Argento films along with Deep Red. Suspiria is a film that is very visually disturbing. The contrasting colours and shapes that are often in long empty hallways or large isolated rooms, seem like optical illusions that challenge your emotions on the film when you are to see bright red blood spill all over it.
The brutal, deaths combined with the disturbing noises (and awesome creepy soundtrack by The Goblins) make this one of the best horror films from the 70's. This is no slasher movie, this movie is terrifying in almost all aspects and Dario is a master of that.
Posted By: tromafan26 at 8:02pm, November 16, 2009
Classic Argento!
Posted By: xXFacelessXx at 6:16pm, November 16, 2009
This was a movie that surprised the hell out of me. Grant it, it was made in 1977, I figured it wasn't going to be "top" quality. The mouths moving when the actors talked almost seemed dubbed over to me and I had no idea if they were speaking german or not and come to find out that's just the 70's quality of it. The acting was a little down and it made my brother laugh a little sometimes (me, I did it on the inside), but the rest...it really was a shocker. The horror this movie produced was unique and was very likeable since it was produced from the enviorment and the nice composition of music that played throughout. The ending shocked the hell out of me, since I had no idea any of that was going to happen along with the kills, done in the 70's cheesy way, but the deaths were so awesome! What made it even creepier was that while these people were being killed, the enviorment around them gave a positive feel and was brightly colored. The lighting was outstanding, the build up and climaxes were satisfying. This is a wonderful movie and I'm glad I own it in my collection. It'll be watched many times this month.
Extremely dissapointing! I have no problems with old movies, and it had artsy moments, but that is not a excuse for bad acting and overall a not great horror filck! Watch The Bird With the Crystal Plumbage or The Stendahl syndrome, i think they are some of the best argento films!
This movie is total crap! I wanted to see this because of all the positive reviews about it, and I was really disappointed!Acting sucks,music(or should I say "noise")sucks, this movie is just bad.The only good thing I found about this film is the first kill!I don't even think I want to watch more of Dario Argento's movies. The only good movie he made is "Demons".
Posted By: maxpower212 at 9:36pm, October 21, 2009
The colors are pretty, although they sort of remind me that I'm watching a movie. Nonsensical and almost nonexistent plot, acting and dubbing were laughable. There were a few moments of genuine suspense, but the slow shots really dragged. The repetition of the same three tracks (the "score") grated my nerves, which is probably what they were supposed to do. I tried hard to like this one, but ultimately it was a letdown.
I have to say that this movie and the original Black Christmas (a brilliant horror film) really REALLY gave me the chills... and this is a funny thing, because I've never get scared that much with a movie.
Suspiria is brilliant for me, because it scared me. I watched it for the first time, unaware of critics and previous reviews. Not even The Exorcist scared me that much. Much of my friends and some good fellas right here didn't get scare of Fantasies and prefer cold and raw films to get scare, but I have to say that Suspiria is a film of what nightmares are made (the screechy colored photography, the soundtrack-the MAIN THING that works) and I have to say too that the cinematography is at first look "beautiful", all the Escher-esque structures that seems barely menacing.
For the storyline and plot development, it's well know that it plays on a second base, to the point of considerate the film "so coarse" (I understand it, but I don't share it) and that the acting isn't excellent and is largely irrelevant (the dancers are supposed to be little children, anywhere). Argento focuses more on the details, typical of the mystery thrillers, so he focuses on these details more than the rest of the narrative (the sighs, the footsteps...).
And of course the witchcraft theme in the same style of the movie was been imaginative treated in the great Polanski's opus "Rosemary's Baby" (and more of one could find this movie really similar in many points to that one). But all these elements are together in this spooky-combo, and could be liked or be hated. But I do consider this movie that great, and I recognize the artistic merits and good direction of the movie that saves the full package.
Posted By: YoungHorror at 8:56pm, September 17, 2009
This movie is a visual feast(and Jessica Harper is true eyecandy herself). It was shot very well, and the vibrant colors made it look like something that nobody could even imagine before watching the film. And I wouldn't consider this horror, but more of a who-done-it thriller. It's usually classified as Giallo, mainly because it's Argento, but there isn't too much gore. Still a very well done movie; I loved it.
After reading the scandalous news that they are going to remake this, I felt I just had to watch Argento's magnum opus again before it is raped by Hollywood. This has to be in my top ten of horror films. I've never seen anything quite like it. The visual imagery is breathe taking and the way Argento uses bright lurid Technicolor is without comparison in the history of film. Suspense and tension is fever pitch. Added to this are some gruesome and shocking murders. The double murder sequence in particular is one of the bloodiest and wouldn't be out of place in a modern gorno. The whole feel and setting of the film is a nightmare come to life. All accompanied by a truly haunting soundtrack by Goblin. This film is a classic masterpiece.
Well yeah there are obvious flaws but that does not make this film any less amazing. Truly one the most beautiful looking films I have ever seen! I do have to say that you must let yourself go and just drown in the colors of Argento in this his BEST work!
I can't help but think that this film is completely over-hyped and that people just decide to ignore all of its obvious flaws. I've been a fan or horror films my entire life. I've seen almost all the classics and even a lot of the bad ones. For some reason I had never seen this, but I had heard of it. So I finally rented it and was excited to see it had good ratings on here, and on rotten tomatoes. What the hell are these people thinking?
Yes, it's an old movie, I get that. But that does not excuse the movie's horrible acting, ridiculously bad score (it's all noise and just tries to be creepy and uncomfortable...and fails...not to mention its terribly monotonous). I spent most of the time laughing at this movie. I think it is completely over-rated much like the original Texas Chainsaw. For its time, I'm sure it shocked audiences. I could see how it could be scary, but this movie doesn't do it for me. Possibly a remake could make it work. The death scenes weren't bad, but they weren't spectacular. Maybe if I saw this in the 70's or while under the influence, I would be freaked out, but I just wasn't.
I just see this as over-hyped...sorry. I was extremely disappointed.
Possibly one of the best horror movies I have ever seen! Full of the 70's hue and touch and an elaborate supernatural storyline, Suspiria is an instant classic. It also features some very dark and disturbing deaths that makes SAW look like some mediocre Crime Drama and are very ahead of its time. Suspiria is a must see for horror fans everywhere!
This movie is great, although being alittle out dated, and it has a great score and the colors are magnificient. This movie also has one of the greatest opening kills, in my opinion, of all time. This is a classic that has not once been redone or recreated, the colors look magnificient and work so perfectly its crazy. Watch this movie and try not to compare it to the new crap and say it's cheezy, because it's most definitely not. 9/10!
GREAT MOVIE! This is what made me like Argento's movies! Its scary, and suspenseful. Very well made. The music by the Goblins is what made this movie eerie and awesome! SEE IT! :D
This is some of Argento's best work.
His phenomenal direction is truly on display.
The double-kill murder sequence through the stained glass window is one of the best murders in the history of film.
The film has a truly unsettling atmosphere..which, coupled with Goblin's INCREDIBLE score (one of my favorites scores in a horror movie ever, creates one of my favorite horror films of all time.
i... i don't know what to say... this movie was wierd as hell, and it made my brain go apeshit!! but still it was a good artsy movie, but i liked Argento's The Wax Mask better...
i... i don't know what to say... this movie was wierd as hell, and it made my brain go apeshit!! but still it was a good artsy movie, but i liked Argento's The Wax Mask better...
seriously this movie is one of the films which has inspired me to go into the horror movie buisiness as a director, the colors in this movie are beautiful, the score is haunting, and its actually still really scarey. I love this movie I give it two thumbs up and a 10/10 rating :D
Seriously, the glass scene: freaking awesome. This movie was soooooooo eerie. the music, the visuals, it's just so creepy. only thing keeping me from giving it a 10/10 is the cheap-looking gore on a couple of parts (i know it's the 70's, but the rest of it actually looked good!) 9/10
Posted By: Slaser Maniac at 6:33pm, February 3, 2009
I think the worst out of the Three Mothers Trilogy. Its not the worst Movie. Its a good movie that should be watched. Filled with vicious murders. Watch this one first before you watch the other sequels. Watch it.
This is without a doubt, my favorite horror film. It was this film that truly turned me on to the genre, and grabbed me and showed me there is more than your average Friday/Halloween/Nightmare films.
Right off the bat, you are introduced to what I believe is the core of the film, the score. Goblin does a fantastic job of creating very dreamlike at times and utterly disturbing sounds for this movie.
The story is great, but might seem of a slight bore to viewers not turned on to this style/genre, as there are not dragged out moments between violent/gore scenes, but more like a lot of story telling. The opening sequence death scenes are like nothing I have seen before, truly disturbing with large yet subtle gore, if you can understand that. And if you are a film watcher who is turned off by gore that you can shake a stick at because it doesnt look 'truly real', than you should truly not be interested in this age of the horror genre to begin with.
The colors are very vibrant, going from strong greens in one shot and instantly changing to colorful reds in the next immediate scene. This may be the most beautifully shot horror movie in existence.
As for the story, it is the beginning to what would later become a 3 part series. The story is about the three most powerful witches in the world, The Three Mothers. This is one of the encounters, involving a young ballot student who is slowly unraveling the truth behind who is running the ballot school she is attending.
If you havent seen this film, there is no other film that you may already enjoy that might turn you on to this. Suspiria is its own style and strays away from any other horror film, as it is a true masterpiece by whom I believe is one of the greatest horror writer/directors of all time, Dario Argento.
One thing that stood out in this film to me that i really truly loved and found interested was the eerie score/sounds to this film, i cant remember the last time a film score had so much eerie energy in its sounds, the atmospheric look and sounds of this film make this film great alone, i found the mystery to be good, but not great, overall a great watch and classic horror film. it's not something i would watch a million times but when you see it just once, it does stick in your memory.
i don't like horror movies just for violence, i usually need them to be intelligent, or if not, so crappy and over the top that they're funny. i think this is the best horror movie ever made. the visuals and color schemes and camera work were hallucinatory, and drew me in completely. me and my wife were so into it we watched it again the next day... AND the day after that!
Posted By: killerkong56 at 9:44pm, January 17, 2009
This is a crazy cool movie. This is the perfect, "Keep Your Mouth Shut" movie cuz if you don't they'll come to get you! HAHA! Me and my brother loved every minute of it. That is one tacky house! The ending was so tense.
Posted By: gorehound62 at 3:16pm, January 17, 2009
I enjoyed the movie more than the sequels, It had some scary atmosphere and great visuals. However, for Argento there is a little gore and it looks fake.
Creepy atmosphere,Haunting music,subliminal visuals,Argento at his best.Though I still favor Phenomena more,this is by far one of the best horroro films I've ever seen.Watch it in the dark...It's like being in someone elses nightmare.
Posted By: JonnyRotten at 12:12am, September 19, 2008
I didn't hate this movie, but I do think it is VERY over rated. This is the only Argento movie I have ever seen. Since this is widely regarded as his best work I won't bother to watch any more. It was hard to follow, the deaths scenes were stupid, and the score was over bareing. I also think that the end was a bit of a let down. I have seen a lot of movies from this era that are just as good if not better that don't receive near the hype. It took me three tries to make it through the whole thing without falling asleep. Rent this one before you buy it.
Posted By: thedescent08 at 12:38pm, September 5, 2008
Suspiria tries hard to be a mature children’s movie—along the same lines as Pan’s Labyrinth and Halloween—and it fails. The reason it fails may be due to its age, but I doubt it. In 1970 films like Alien created doom atmosphere in the most believable way with no cheese, and simply make this movie look like a student film by comparison. No, the reason it fails at being a children’s fairytale done wrong is because it tries so hard to be mature by creating suspense that it just creates boring, predictable, and sloppily executed.
The movie opens with the first murder, and I simply cannot think of a more amateur, sloppy way for it to have taken place. It’s more reminiscent of a cheese parody than a horror movie. It actually had me chuckling. Once again, I can’t blame this on the era it was made because other movies in that same era nailed death scenes better than any modern movie could hope to do: the cheese is from poor ideas and poor film making. If this is Dario Argento at his best, what is his worst? An episode of Sesame Street? I’m worry, I can sometimes excuse an old movie of cheese, but I can’t get over the fact this was made after Alien. Dario Argento should have known better, and he could have done better, but he didn’t, thus I’m not going to look past the fact the murder scenes were so poorly done I couldn’t hold back laughing.
As far as gore goes, there is so little I don’t even find it worth mentioning. So I won’t. Just know that most of the stab wounds don’t even show blood, and the blood that is in this film looks more like clown paint than plasma.
But by far the biggest flaw of the film is the lack of any cohesive storytelling whatsoever. One scene will be an over-the-top (but not graphic or violent) murder scene, the next will be a ballerina scene that adds nothing to the movie, and the next will be some teachers talking about nothing that has anything to do with the movie. There is no order. At least 50 minutes of the runtime are completely pointless to the rest of the movie—and this is supposed to be scary? These scenes don’t build suspense or character, they just build boredom.
In the end when all the mysteries are explained it was almost like a cute, trite, cliché slap in the face. The explanation for everything going on has been done so many times in horror movies I honestly would have liked the movie better if it cut off and ended right before explaining it all. I don’t understand how something that is supposed to be a “work of art” is as unoriginal or sloppily done as this. If this is a work of art, the entire film is nothing but a poorly drawn stick person drawn with bright colored Crayons.
The only sole good thing I can say about this movie is that the soundtrack is great. That is all.
I’ll never understand why so many people seem to think that if something is old, it has to be good, and if something is new it has to be bad. Also, especially with the horror crowd: if something is indie or foreign it is good, if it’s American it’s bad. This film the perfect example of why that thinking is wrong. Especially when the American, 1970’s Alien came out in the same era. There is no reason for Suspiria to be as bad as it is, and I cannot excuse its faults because it’s old.
All I can say is what I said in the beginning: Dario Argento should have, could have, and probably does know better than he put into this movie.
It was pretty top notch. This and Inferno are the most psychadelic horror films I've ever seen. I havn't seen many Argento films but I liked this one much better than Inferno, although both are excellent I found Suspiria to be a little more intense. j34ngr4y just so you know man, Suspiria is actually the first of the three mothers series by Argento. I believe it was 1976 or 1977. Inferno came out 1980. And though I wouldn't doubt that Suspiria is the best of the three, I would like to know how you ended up being able to see La Terza Madre, the last of the trilogy, as it is not available for U.S. theatre goers to see until September of this year. Do you know where to get a bootleg? La Terza Madre is supposed to be brutal, I wouldn't doubt if the final movie will not be my personal favorite.
OMG I f-ing love this movie!!! One of Argento's best films the second in the three mother films and the best of the three!!! The acting is good and as usual the atmosphere is perfect the music is great and the gore is so Argento. SUSPIRIA is Argento at his horror best!!! I love this movie and recomend it to everyone...
