SUSPIRIA SEDA SPETTACOLI ; ITALY dvd specification original year of release: 1976 approximate running time: 97 minutes aspect ratio: widescreen anamorphic 2.35:1 system: NTSC (colour) rating: unrated sound: english DTS ES 6.1, english dolby digital EX surround, english dolby digital 2.0 surround, french dolby digital 2.0 surround and italian dolby digital 2.0 surround dvd release: anchor bay entertainment region: 1 region coding: none dvd extras theatrical trailers TV spot radio spots daemonia music video poster and still gallery talent bios 32 page booklet with photos and interview with Jessica Harper 9 lobby card reproductions (5x7) suspiria 25th anniversary: an all-new 52 minute documentary (disc 2) original cd soundtrack by Goblin (disc 3)

[video][sound][extras][conclusion]

If you want a review of the actual film, click here.

video

When you know that this disc contains a THX certified transfer of a new low contrast print which came from the original camera negative which has been re-graded under the supervision of the film's cinematographer Luciano Tovoli, you would tend to expect the best possible picture quality possible for this release. Well, you won't be disappointed! This is the best version released on dvd so far in my opinion. This is how Argento wanted it to look; the time and effort he and Luciano Tovoli put into the outmoded Technicolor three strip system really paying dividends with stunningly beautiful colours everywhere. This THX certified transfer is crystal clear with no print damage anywhere to be seen and no white spotting. The black levels are spot on and the colours which pay such an important part to the feel of the film are rock solid, vibrant and do not suffer from any bleeding. Even the tightly patterned floral wallpaper in Olga's apartment does not cause a problem as it does on every other dvd version I have seen. It is pointless talking about flesh tones in the colour filled nightmare that is SUSPIRIA so I won't! There is some grain present though especially visible against light backgrounds. This shows up particularly during the scene between Jessica and Udo Kier. However, this is also present on the impressive Italian dvd. Overall though, a great picture.

sound

This dvd of SUSPIRIA scores heavily in the soundtrack department if only for the sheer number of options. The default one and I would think the one most likely to be used, is the Dolby Digital Surround EX track and so I reviewed the disc using this option. Unfortunately this suffers from a poor remix which in places actually leaves out effects and dialogue that should be there! This reduces the atmosphere and power of the film as a whole. The Goblin score comes across OK albeit at a lower volume in places than it should be. The surround channels are used effectively for effects. I cannot currently listen to DTS so I cannot comment on how better or worse it may be however, the French, Italian and English surround tracks are all pretty much the same but not as dynamic when compared to the EX track as you might expect. However, they are still pretty good; they just lack that extra power that the EX track has.

extras

Included on the disc with the film are talent bio's for Argento, Daria Nicolodi and Jessica Harper, the International and US theatrical trailers, a US TV spot and radio spots. There is also an extensive stills gallery which includes just about every original SUSPIRIA poster, lobby card, fotobusta and album sleeve going! The interactive menus are colourful and have a rather nice 'flowing blood' transition with extracts from the soundtrack playing in the background. There is also a music video of Claudio Simonetti's band Daemonia playing their remix of the main theme; nice remix but cheesy video! Also on the first disc there is an Easter egg. Go to the 'extras' menu and then press 'right' to select one of the birds feathers. Press 'select' and there is a brief out take of Udo Kier from the documentary having trouble with his microphone and a polystyrene cup! The main extra with this limited edition of course is the 52 minute documentary. This is quite simply one of the best extras ever compiled for a dvd. It goes into all aspects of SUSPIRIA from conception, casting, style, influences, technique, music; in fact most things you could want to know about the film from the people who made it. There is so much information crammed into the documentary that it is a little difficult to take it all in on first viewing whilst also reading the subtitled interviews. These interviews are with Dario, Daria Nicolodi, Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Udo Kier, Goblin and Luciano Tovoli. Everyone seems happy talking about SUSPIRIA and they are very proud of their involvement in it even if they didn't realise quite what a classic it would become. This documentary proves just what Anchor Bay are capable of doing and is far more desirable as an extra than any 'featurette'. I would say that this could be a double edged sword for them; people are going to expect more than the usual 10 minute segments from now on. There is also a nicely designed 32 page booklet which contains an interview with Jessica Harper, some great artwork and stills plus a set of 9 lobby card reproductions. The third disc in the set is the original SUSPIRIA soundtrack CD which is the same as the recent Cinevox re-release.

conclusion

Basically this is a must have dvd for any self respecting horror fan. It is almost everything we expected it to be. I say 'almost' because a feature length commentary with Dario or the cast or both would have been a welcome addition. However, let's not be picky, Anchor Bay have done Dario proud once again with the best addition to the Argento collection yet. The combination of great picture and multiple sound options means that this dvd is the ultimate SUSPIRIA experience. Get this limited edition if only for the documentary (which doesn't come with the standard release).

Special thanks to Michael Felsher

reviewed by NJD

cover artwork

insert artwork

booklet cover

buy the suspiria dvd from www.amazon.com

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