Retro Review: SUSPIRIA (1977)

Welcome to another installment of RETRO REVIEW where we take a trip back in time to look at films made before the year 2000.  Today we review the 1977 Italian horror film, SUSPIRIA.  Enjoy!

Bursting with gorgeous colours in every frame, Dario Argento's spine chilling Suspiria is easily one of the best horror films ever made. The sheer craftsmanship on display  is a sight to behold, not only is it photographed to perfection, but everything from the set design, the acting, the music, the lighting, everything is on point, and meticulous.


Speaking of the music, Goblin's score entranced me. The score complemented the film so well, it made me feel that there was always someone behind me, about to tap on my shoulder, and that is exactly what a great horror score should do!

The visuals stunned me. Honestly, Suspiria might be tied with Days of Heaven as the most gorgeous film I have ever seen. The cinematography by Luciano Tovoli is remarkable, with every shot serving a purpose, and with every frame being as beautiful as the one that came before it, truly astonishing. And the atmosphere Argento creates is eerie, as he builds the tension throughout with clues and whispers, until the finale which blew me away. Seriously, as far as horror finales go, this, Alien, Psycho and The Shining are the Mount Rushmore of horror finales, and I don't know if they can ever be topped.

I was glued to the screen in those last 10 minutes or so, mouth agape and thinking to myself, wow, this is how fantastic horror films can truly be, a genre so often beat down by cheap knockoffs and sloppy bargain bin excuses. It is easy to forget how many films have actually strived, and been celebrated, rightfully so, within the genre, with films such as The Exorcist and The Silence Of The Lambs being nominated for best picture, with the latter winning the big four ( Picture, Director, Actress and Actor ). Just recently, 2016 showcased a rare goldmine for horror, with films such as The Witch, Green Room, The Neon Demon and Under The Shadow garnering awards and praise, and other horror films receiving positive reviews and making a killing at the box office, such as Don't Breathe, Lights Out, The Conjuring 2 and The Shallows. And just in the first few months of 2017, horror has had it's itch scratched, with mega hits Split and Get Out both receiving positive reviews, the latter receiving a very rare 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. Horror can still be great, trust me!

Suspiria contains images and scenes that will stay with me for a long, long time. Hands down, an instant favourite.

Sammy's Score: 10/10

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