Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977)

Message

justeleblanc · #1 Post by **justeleblanc** » Mon May 30, 2005 3:44 pm

Does anyone know where I can find a picture of the credits for SUSPIRIA, more specifically the aortal lettering used for the word "Suspiria" at the beginning of the film? I was having immense difficulty searching for it online.

Poncho Punch · #2 Post by **Poncho Punch** » Mon May 30, 2005 3:57 pm

Well, I've never seen it, so I have no idea what to look for, but it sounded like an entertaining enough search. Does this fit the bill?

DrewReiber · #3 Post by **DrewReiber** » Mon May 30, 2005 4:42 pm

Hahahaha, "Psycho Meets Exorcist"? Not even close. Don't know if they have what you're looking for, but this website might be good place to look.

Dylan · #4 Post by **Dylan** » Mon May 30, 2005 5:24 pm

Now that we have a thread, does anybody have any thoughts on this film?

There's something magical about how good "Suspiria" looks. For me, it really stands alone as a purely visual film experience. Sadly, because the script isn't that good (some of the dialogue is laughably terrible), I've never cared about the dramatic experience, only the visual experience. But in this specific case, the visuals are so arresting, and consistently imaginative and beautiful, it somehow manages to pull you through. For a horror film, it also manages to create a beautiful fairy tale-like atmosphere, which few horror films ever attempt to do. Certainly Argento has never been able to do it again, and he's tried (most of his films are completely unwatchable). For me, the trick of horror is combine a good, solid, dramatic script (that is psychological or frightening) with beautiful visuals. Most horror films haven't got either one. "Suspiria" only has the beautiful visuals, but it really has them in spades. And it's also a hell of a lot of fun.

Dylan

Michael · #5 Post by **Michael** » Mon May 30, 2005 5:48 pm

Finally a thread devoted to Suspiria! One of the most visually beautiful films ever made. I will never ever ever ever forget that night in a moldy theater where I first saw Suspiria and that was when I was 8 years old. I owe a lot to this film, Eraserhead, Carrie, The Exorcist and 3 Women - the very first films that sparked my passion for cinema since my pre-teen days. In other words, I wouldn't be here on this forum if it wasn't for those films. I also agree with Dylan that this is Argento's best film. Throughout my life, I continue to watch Suspiria too many times especially in October. I still find Suspiria's utterly gorgeous and consistently inventive visuals very inspiring. The old nutty ballet mistresses are a major hoot and I could never get enough of Argento's breathtaking tracking close-ups of Miss Tanner's shoes stalking the hallways in an eerie glow. I die to capture this feeling/mood/beauty of those particular scenes in my film if I ever make one.

More on this very dynamic film later.

Michael · #6 Post by **Michael** » Mon May 30, 2005 6:16 pm

more specifically the aortal lettering

You will find that only on the US (and possibly Australian) posters of Suspiria. I'm sure there is an image of it somwhere on the net. Check ebay.

lord_clyde · #7 Post by **lord_clyde** » Mon May 30, 2005 8:48 pm

I agree with your comments on the visuals, but what about the MUSIC? IMO the greatest horror soundtrack ever, featuring genuinely tense, creepy atmospherics with bizzare electronic music. I suppose I'll also mention how badass the 3-disc limited edition dvd from Anchor Bay is, featuring a stunning transfer, great extras, THE FRIKKIN SOUNDTRACK, and a hefty stack of mini posters and a thick collector's booklet. A great dvd for a fantastic horror film whos scares have never been truly equalled.

Dylan · #8 Post by **Dylan** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:41 am

I have the Goblin score for "Suspiria" on CD, and I'm surprised I didn't mention it in my post above. A very good soundtrack indeed (particularly the music box-like melody, which builds into dissonant sound effects and a 'demon' voice la-ing the theme). And yes, the DVD set and transfer are top notch.

justeleblanc · #9 Post by **justeleblanc** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:09 am

Michael wrote:
more specifically the aortal lettering
You will find that only on the US (and possibly Australian) posters of Suspiria. I'm sure there is an image of it somwhere on the net. Check ebay.

Thanks dude. Here it is for anyone who cares:

http://www.esplatter.com/Wallpapers/wal ... 00x600.jpg

About the film.... the opening scene is hands down the scariest moments I've ever seen in film... period. I had to write a paper about it for class once and I found myself alone in the library in the a/v section at 1:00 in the morning watching this scene. Of course, it was pouring raining outside as well, which made the walk home through the woods scary as all hell. Nothing else tops that. Not even the rest of the film.

Watching Jessica Harper in the Argento inspired PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE is worth the rent as well. Does anyone else think she's a dead ringer for Francis O'Conner of Ramis's Bedazzled?

lord_clyde · #10 Post by **lord_clyde** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:27 am

"The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of this film. . . are the first 92!"

I would change that tagline to something like "If you can survive the first 15 minutes, you are ready for hell." Because that first scene is the best, and if you hate scary movies because you don't like to be scared, then watch the beginning of Suspiria, and if you can survive it, you can handle the rest of it. Hell, you can handle anything.

Michael · #11 Post by **Michael** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:11 am

IMO the greatest horror soundtrack ever

I'm not sure. What about The Shining (or Eraserhead if it's counted as horror)?

The music from The Shining never fails to bring me tears ever time...it's so cryptic and lush all at once.

mbalson · #12 Post by **mbalson** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:48 am

The music from The Shining never fails to bring me tears ever time...

What are you? a 90 year old woman or something?

Michael · #13 Post by **Michael** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:42 am

I take that you were being scarcastic.

But really! The opening credits in neon blue rolling by along with the aerial shots.. and what music! I get goosebumps all over.

Fletch F. Fletch · #14 Post by **Fletch F. Fletch** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:38 pm

Dylan wrote:But in this specific case, the visuals are so arresting, and consistently imaginative and beautiful, it somehow manages to pull you through. For a horror film, it also manages to create a beautiful fairy tale-like atmosphere, which few horror films ever attempt to do.

Agreed. Argento's use of such striking, vibrant colors is truly amazing.

And the man can certainly create some of the most amazing death scenes ever put on film. The opening two deaths in the school come to immediately to mind but also the room full of barbed wire... That one gets me every time.

However, I do like the whole notion of this coven of witches using the facade of a dance school to hide their evil plans. It hints at so many fascinating possibilities. And I really do find the backstory that Udo Kier tells Jessica Harper part way through the movie to be quite engaging and interesting. It is like Argento introduces a little, mini detective movie into the film as our protagonist tries to figure out what's going on.

Great stuff.

justeleblanc · #15 Post by **justeleblanc** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:41 pm

Yes, but the ending is anti-climactic. Compared to the rest of the film, the barbed wire, the first murder, even the blind man and the dog..... the ending is a dissapointment. That's maybe my one complaint. That the rest of the film is too good for the ending.

Dylan · #16 Post by **Dylan** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:00 pm

That's the thing about Suspiria: the writing is terrible, the acting is wooden, and the ending is pretty bad. But on some deep level, I don't care. Even in the last few minutes, where the camp factor really hits the fan into ridiculousness, there is still so much to appreciate and enjoy, particularly the part with that beautifully-lit peacock statue (and having the light disappear from it once it hits the ground, followed by the camera tracking the marbles on the floor). I really don't care about the story or the characters, it's strictly Argento's direction, Tovoli's photography, the costumes, sets, music, and the art direction. And unlike other members, I don't really consider it scary. In my opinion, it's a little too humorously campy and fun to be scary. I mostly cherish its terrific atmosphere, and the photography is really a feast for the eyes.

Dylan

PS- I agree that the concept behind the script is a good one, but Argento simply isn't much of a writer. With that said, he sure as hell knows how to make horror look beautiful, which, for me, is the point of this film.

Michael · #17 Post by **Michael** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:22 pm

I agree with you, Dylan. Everything you wrote hits the nail. Suspiria is not a film to watch for the plot or acting. Maybe this is why some people dismiss the recent French slasher Haute Tension. Most complain about its ending and how it fails to serve illogically to the plot. But to me, this film offers so much (pristine & powerful cinematography, composition, music, editing, etc) to make up for its "weak" plot that I'm willing to accept wherever the film wants me to go and also that I'm willing to forgive the film for all its flaws or weaknesses.

#18 Post by **zedz** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:03 pm

I think the problem with Haute Tension is the nature of the plot holes. The entire film relies on a huge twist that doesn't hold up. I have no problem with devious, reality-shattering plot twists, but the more devious they are, the greater the obligation that they actually stack up logically, without having to heap enormous coincidence on enormous coincidence (a la Old Boy, or most of Fincher's stuff) or ignore flat-out contradiction (Haute Tension).

As far as I'm concerned, the kind of outrageous goofiness you find in Argento's plots is more forgiveable, as there isn't the same pretence of cleverness. Suspiria manages to be effectively creepy for all its silliness, which is some kind of triumph (and the look of the film is another, even more impressive, one). If you want to see completely demented storytelling, you can't miss Inferno - one of my favourite really bad movies. Just about every sequence turns out to be a wacky non-sequitur with no real bearing on the so-called plot. Who was that weird woman with the cat? What was going on with the short-order cook in the park? Was all that nonsense about the Three Mothers really just a red herring? Plus it's got a brilliantly appalling cod-gothic prog soundtrack by Keith Emerson (sub-Toccata & Fugue organ freakouts plus faux Latin chanting).

Michael B. Scrutchin · #19 Post by **Michael B. Scrutchin** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:05 pm

zedz wrote:If you want to see completely demented storytelling, you can't miss Inferno - one of my favourite really bad movies. Just about every sequence turns out to be a wacky non-sequitur with no real bearing on the so-called plot.

And that's what's so great about Inferno. As Kim Newman says in Nightmare Movies, Inferno is all set pieces: "Every sequence is a meticulously orchestrated mini-symphony of camera movement, stylised lighting, sound effects, music and found objects." Some of the set pieces work better than others, but I think some of Argento's best filmmaking is on display in Inferno. It's not as cohesive as Suspiria, but it's nearly as good, and one of Argento's most underrated films.

Dylan · #20 Post by **Dylan** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:00 am

Inferno is pretty good, with an immensely fun first hour, and a lot of beautiful photography and style. The acting and dialogue is more wooden than "Suspiria" (which surprisingly doesn't detract much, but it really convinced me that Argento is not good with dialogue or ators) and the last twenty minutes are a pretty crappy cop-out (leave it to Argento for not taking his story anywhere and leaving intriguing possibilities behind...at least "Inferno" doesn't stop looking great), but even with that said, "Inferno" is a lot of fun. I've also seen "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage," which struck me as average (but with an interesting Ennio Morricone score and competant Vittorio Storaro photography) and "Phenomena," which is a horrendous disaster.

"Suspiria" is an exception to my rule that horror needs a solid script to be good...there's something magical and seducing about how good Suspiria looks that it really doesn't need a script, the visuals are able to carry the entire film, and the film itself has some compelling elements as well.

I want to see "Tenebre," "Deep Red," "Opera," and others.

I haven't seen the films, but I have Ennio Morricone's scores for "Stendhal Syndrome" and "Phantom of the Opera," both of which are unspeakably beautiful soundtracks. Asia Argento, whom I like very much, is in both, though I've heard awful things about them. Interesting to note that "Stendhal" was the last feature film to be shot by legendary DP Giuseppe Rotunno.

Interesting that "High Tension" has been brought up. The trailers that are playing aren't very good, in my opinion.

Dylan

Eric · #21 Post by **Eric** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:42 am

Dylan wrote:maybe I should see "Deep Red."

I'm inclined to suggest "no." Being a fan of Suspiria and being a fan of Argento are two different things entirely. Though one can be both, it surely sounds like you are the former.

But give Tenebre a try because, even missing the Crayola color wheel of Suspiria, it kicks many extant forms of ass.

Lino · #22 Post by **Lino** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:32 am

Gentlemen, gentlemen, I have to intervene here: Inferno is the better of the two The Three Mothers Trilogy films so far!

It has a better plot (no use arguing that with me, you just have to watch it more times to grasp all of the underlying themes plus a little research about warlocks and alchemy will not hurt you); the cinematography may not be as flashy as Suspiria but in my humblest opinion is of a more technically accomplished nature (again, no use arguing that with me, just take a look at all the amazing tracking shots on display); and finally, the end scene alone is enough to convince me once and for all that Argento can really deliver the goods whenever he's in the mood for it.

That said, that lady with the cat is the third mother that's yet to have a whole film dedicated to her (or haven't you guessed it?).

Inferno is an acquired taste alright but one that reveals its many layers upon repeated viewings. Highly recommended in my book.

Dylan · #23 Post by **Dylan** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:00 am

Annie, I respect you opinion, but I must say I disagree with you that "Inferno," which fun, is more technically accomplished than "Suspiria." For my money, no horror film comes close to being as technically accomplished as "Suspiria," let alone another Argento.

Also, one can't just single "Inferno" out when speaking of tracking shots, "Suspiria" is loaded with them, in fact, some of the very best and most gorgeous tracking shots I've seen on film (my personal favorite being when Susie first enters the dance school and meets the instructors/students, with the camera flowing through the doorway and moving around the room, almost Bertoluccian...and that blue set with the staircase is so beautiful...and what about all of the tracking shots down the hallway, or along that large hanging blanket bathed with silhouettes? I don't remember anything as striking in "Inferno").

And Eric, yes, I've been meaning to check out Tenebre, which sounds like fun (and the great David Hemmings is in "Deep Red," so I'll probably see that as well sometime).

Dylan

lord_clyde · #24 Post by **lord_clyde** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:33 am

but Argento simply isn't much of a writer.

Come on! He helped write Once Upon a Time in the West! Granted, like the other Leone westerns it is a film made great primarily for its directing and larger than life performances, but you have to admit the man has one hell of an imagination!

Dylan · #25 Post by **Dylan** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:01 pm

It is important to note, though, that when I was saying 'he isn't much of a writer,' I was leaning toward Argento's dialogue and his cop-out endings, which (in the films I've seen) aren't good (though "Suspiria" somehow gets away with it). He has a talent for conceiving unforgettable imagery, and a film like "West" with such intricately quiet and masterfully visual cinematic passages definitely has that signature. Though I'm unable to judge his work on that film at the moment because I'm not sure what he contributed.