Film Review: Suspiria (18) (Italian 1977) (Director: Dario Argento), Saturday 08.09.2012, 23:30, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

This is a film I had seen before, had been very impressed by and wished to see on the 'big screen'. The film concerns a German dance school, whose pupils are tormented by a coven of witches that are secretly based there. I understand it to be an example of 'Giallo', a sub-genre of Italian Horror that was particularly associated with the 1970's. Some also feel this to have been one of the big influences along with Powell and Pressburgers 'The Red Shoes' (1948) upon 'Black Swan' (2011).

I have only seen three off this director's pieces so far, and this is the first and best of those I have seen so far. The film that is felt to be his masterpiece 'Tenebrae' (1982), is one of the others I've seen and was not impressed. It had gaping plot holes. It is not as though Suspiria can be accused of not having this fault, though it does not try to tell it's tale in a realistic realm.

The staff at the school are grotesques including a deformed Hungarian handyman/waiter, and the pianist who is there to accompany the students is blind. The pianist lands up being banished, due to his dogs behaviour. His dog then turns on him. The students are meant to appear to be innocent.

The decor/colours of the school and the flat of one of the students, is odd and gaudy in an intriguing way - fascinating to look at, though to spend time functioning within I suspect would affect your mental health. The ambient audio is quite extraordinary and unsettling, with sound quite unlike anything else. It is the affect of these elements that are more noticeable in the cinema environment.

It is the new student arrival from the U.S.A. who is more inquisitive, discovers what is going on and deals with it. I would describe the film as truly deranged and demented, and for a visceral experience of sight and sound it is very impressive and affecting. I would recommend it, though make no apologies for how bizarre it is.

Rating: 09/10.