Best Dario Argento film for a newbie? (1 Viewer)

[chris larralde]

I haven't experienced any Italian horror films other than Fulci.
I keep hearing a lot about Dario Argento, so what are the best films to get started on?
If it helps at all, I prefered Fulci's "The Beyond" to "City of the Living Dead".
regards,
chris

 

[Wes Ray]

Suspiria is by far his scarriest film, but I'd start out by renting Tenebre. It's a really cool slasher mystery film that I sometimes like more than Argento's classic Deep Red. That's the one I'd start with. That way, you don't get spoiled by how great Suspiria is.

 

[Kevin Leonard]

Hi Chris,
I was in your shoes about a month ago and asked the same question...got some interesting reponses, that's for sure. You can check it out here:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/Forum15/HTML/028601.html
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Have you ever noticed anyone driving slower than you is an idiot? And anyone driving faster than you is a maniac!! - George Carlin
ICQ: 55259446 (or just search for "John Shaft"...can you dig?)
[Edited last by Kevin Leonard on August 31, 2001 at 02:11 AM]

 

[Anthony Thorne]

Hi Chris,
You'll probably get a lot of responses to your question - my answer is probably DEEP RED followed by SUSPIRIA. The former has a better story, whilst the latter is probably unmatched for an unforgettable, ghoulish atmosphere that will knock you for a loop.
I have a friend though who actually prefers OPERA to both, simply as the story moves quickly, there are few slow patches and it's one of Argento's most extravagantly sadistic productions. The victims really cop it in OPERA... I like TENEBRE but personally feel it's a little overrated, and wouldn't really suggest it to a newbie. Do watch it, but only after you've seen DEEP RED, SUSPIRIA and perhaps a couple of others.
I'm amazed how Argento's FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET was shouted down on the Paramount request page a few months back for being too obscure (those damn wacky Argento fans must have all been ganging up from somewhere)... ...and yet the Software forum remains steadily abuzz with Argento threads nowadays.

 

[Gerard Priori]

I'd have to echo Anthony's sentiments and say that TENEBRE is overrated and not a great movie to start with. I'd also recommend starting with DEEP RED and then SUSPIRIA, but the movies aren't contingent on each other; either one first would be fine. (I also agree with those who've stated that SUSPIRIA is Argento's finest work.)
-Jerry

 

[Matt_Stevens]

Personally, I'd say TENEBRAE because it is the least implausible of the Argento's. DEEP RED and SUSPIRIA would be next.
Now, CAT 'O NINE TAILS is also a great way to start off with Argento. It's not nearly as absurd a his later films, so I have found that it's easier to "break someone in" to Argento with this one.
Just DON'T start with OPERA or PHENOMENA. And save your time and avoid STENDHAL SYNDROME and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA all together, as they are complete trash. PHANTOM, in particular, is about as bad as they come, with a laughable script and even more laughable "special" effects. Those wax dummies for people in the chandelier scene sure were convincing!

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[Matthew Chmiel]

Either Deep Red, Suspiria, or Tenebre. All three are great films and are easy to get into. I will also agree with Matt and don't see Opera first (I can't say the same thing for Phenomena as that was my first Argento film and I loved it automatically).

Now, CAT 'O NINE TAILS is also a great way to start off with Argento.

I have to disagree with this. Not only is Cat 'O Nine Tails one of Argento's weakest films, but the film does not feel like an Argento film at all (it feels more like an American mystery horror film or a British mystery horror film).
quote: And save your time and avoid STENDHAL SYNDROME and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA all together, as they are complete trash.

Now Phantom of the Opera might be trash, but don't include Stendhal Syndrome into that statement, it's not that bad. So take away Stendhal from that statement and add in the crap that is Trauma.
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[Edited last by Matthew Chmiel on August 31, 2001 at 08:33 AM]

 

[Matt_Stevens]

Opinions are subjective, Matthew. I stand by my statement.
Just last night, my friend Chuck (the guy who has the LEs' already) and I were talking about what a piece of shit Stendhal was/is. So I'm not alone.

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www.deceptions.net/superman

 

[chris larralde]

Thanks for all the replys!
I'm looking forward to Anchor Bay's upcoming Susperia release, so in the meantime I'll probably start with Deep Red or Tenebre.
chris

 

[Gerard Priori]

No, Matt, you aren't alone. I, too, hated STENDHAL SYNDROME (but next to PHANTOM, STENDHAL is a masterpiece--what a shitty movie). In fact, I can't stand Asia Argento as an actress--I've hated everything I've seen her in. I've not yet seen NO HO SONNO, but I'm so happy that Asia isn't in it. At least, if the movie is as awful as Argento's work has been in the last decade or so, it isn't Asia's fault.
-Jerry

 

[Chris Xolotl]

For a newbie.... hmm.... Phenomena or Inferno..
My favorites are Phenomena/Inferno/Deep Red/Suspiria/Tenebre/Opera
Stendhal was such a piece of junk, the transfer stank, the movie stank, and asia well i don't have an opinion on her.
I would go for Inferno and Phenomena first then Suspiria and Tenebre then the masterpiece Deep Red. That how I would initiate you... HEH

 

[Samuel Des]

Something I still don't understand about Suspiria:
**SMALL SPOILER**
Why is Susy Banyon smiling as she leaves the house at the end?

 

[Matt_Stevens]

Because she didn't have to do any more scenes in a movie she hated filming.

Actually, that may be true, as she was a notorious bitch, according to reports. I am very curious to see what she has to say in the documentary.
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www.deceptions.net/superman

 

[Anthony Thorne]

There was a great discussion on MHVF a few weeks ago discussing the final shot of SUSPIRIA and 'why is Suzy Banyon smiling'? One very indepth post decided the following - (***MILD SPOILERS***) - Suzy Banyon is a witch in training, sent to infiltrate and spy on the school, who has her powers recognized (the flash of light reflecting off the mirror in the corridor onto her face, with 'Witch!' heard on the soundtrack), and whose powers enable her to escape at the end of the film, with her witch powers flinging the doors open during the final scenes, (a visual motif mirrored by the airport doors opening in front of her at the beginning of the film). This explains the quiet, watchful nature of much of Harper's performance, as if she is studying the situation and gathering information, and her smile of satisfaction at the end after she has survived the experience and come into her own as a witch. Interesting theory...
I think Asia Argento is a fine actress, not to be blamed at all for the fact that Medusa(?) decided to overdub her performance in STENDAHL SYNDROME. I'm not completely sold on all of STENDAHL, but from surfing the web I've found nearly as many people who like it as those who don't. (Check out www.mhvf.net , www.darkdreams.org and the recent review in VIDEO WATCHDOG for various favourable comments). The Dutch and French DVD's of STENDAHL SYNDROME are also of a markedly better quality than the Region 1 Troma DVD, BTW. Anamorphic, with stronger, sharper colours and a clearer sound mix, + more extras on the Dutch DVD. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is more widely disliked, but the Italian DVD (with multiple soundtracks and subs) again features a better transfer and rectifies the sound-synch problem heard on the Region 1 disc. (The Stateside PHANTOM disc goes out of synch on the 5.1 mix). I'm looking forward to picking up Asia Argento's SCARLET DIVA when it arrives on Italian DVD later this month, and I vastly prefer her to some of the simpering, bratty and dull actresses that plague movies in the States, the UK and Australia (take your pick...)

 

[Matt_Stevens]

Did Asia ever direct that porno film she kept talking about as her next project?

 

[Samuel Des]

Hi Anthony -
Great response. I've given it some thought, too, but not to the degree that your group has! I'll have to re-watch it.
Regardless of why, I really liked it; I thought it gave the movie a charm. Sort of a nod-and-a-wink.

 

[Frank Roe]

I started watching Argento movies in the mid 80's with "Tenebrae" (a heavily cut german version without any gore) and it was great. Now I have most of his movies in good versions (I ordered "Suspiria" and "Opera" in the last weeks), but "Tenebrae" is still my favorite. I think it's a good start.
A word about "Stendahl Syndrome". It is his best movie of the 90's (yeah - the others are crap, I know, but this movie has great character designs).