Suspiria
Limited Edition

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT DV11610



STATS
Widescreen (2.35:1) Enhanced for 16:9 TVs, THX, Color, Dolby Digital 5.1, EX 6.1, Dolby Surround 2.0, DTS 5.1, 6.1 EX, Languages: English, French, Italian, Chapters: 26, Running Time: 98 mins., Not Rated, Price: $44.98



VISUAL
This extraordinary transfer captures all the color of the detail of the incredible sets and costumes. Never before has this film been available on home video in such an exceptional way. From blood drenched reds, to creepy greens, sinister ice cold blues, to golden yellows, it’s all showcased without flaw. There might be those who might complain about some minor film grain – but hell, isn’t it a film anyway?! This is the closest thing to true Technicolor so just sit back and feast your eyes.

AUDIO
The DTS track seems, as usual, a bit louder in volume than the Dolby Digital, but both are wide and spacious. There’s a lot of Frontal panning of dialog, and off screen voices. Music is extremely dimensional are airy. It’s not only split across the Front Left and Right, but diagonally from the Rear Left and Right. Sound effects are scattered everywhere, like the music, so the overall presence is a stunner. The film only has a moderate amount of bass so don’t expect an earthquake. Originally theatrically presented in “pulse pounding” (as the ads stated)) 4-track Stereo, it has been reconfigured for Dolby formats. As an added bonus the DTS and Dolby Digital tracks are also presented in 6.1, with a Center Rear. My only complaint is the music, which has never sound clearer, seems to have been mixed at a louder level. Most of the time this doesn’t matter, however, there are moments where dialog, or screaming, as in the end, is over powered up to the point of being covered up.

EXTRAS

CD Disc 1

DISC 1
ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILERS: International, US
TV SPOT
Talent Bios
RADIO STOTS: (3) :30 secs. each.
Poster and Still Gallery: This viewer advanced showcasing lobby cards and posters, and publicity stills, press books and ads.
Daemonia Music Video: The film’s main theme is set to music video with the band “Daemonia” performing. This a terrible and cheap video, a throw-bak to the early tries from the early 1980's.
THX OPTIMIZER – for calibrating your home theater system.


CD Disc 2

DISC 2
SUSPIRA 25th ANNIVERSARY DOCUMENTARY: An excellent document covering all new on camera interviews with Co-Writer/Director Dario Argento, Co-Writer Daria Nicolodi, Cinematographer Lciano Tovoli, Goblin members – Agostino Marangolo, Massismo Morante, Fabio Pignatelli and Claudio Simmonetti. Stars Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini and Udo Kier are along for the ride as well giving their thought from a thespian point of view. Even though most speak I their native Italian (with subtitles) the sit is fascination, interesting and down right mesmerizing. 52 mins wasn’t enough, I found myself wanting more like squeezing all the juice from precious grapes. Definitely up there with UNIVERSAL’s documentaries!




CD Soundtrack


DISC 3
Original Motion Soundtrack CD – This version of the soundtrack contains more music than originally released on the album and first CD version. This longer version was released previous, but only as an import. My only complaint is that ANCHOR BAY didn’t include a listing for the selections. There are 11 selections and the total running time is 44 mins. 48 sec

PRESENTATION
A full 3 disc black plastic Amaray makes an impressive package for this very special limited edition of 60,000. Main menu screen is both animated and with music from the film, along with a animated transitions. I imagine that the reasoning for the Documentary to be put separate on Disc 2 was for quality reasons since the film is presented with various digital soundtrack options. The front cover artwork is merely a reworking from the previous home video release, nice, but personally I prefer the original theatrical poster (U.S.) which graces the standard SUSPIRIA DVD. ANCHOR BAY as loaded the Amaray with a bonus amount of paper goodies – The complete set of 8 US Lobby Cards (resized to fit in the Amaray). A reproduction of the original video release artwork (from the late 80’s). An Italian poster reproduction which also has Chapter stops on the flip side. Finally a lush 32 page full color booklet with an Introduction, Essay, and an Interview with Actress Jessica Harper.



SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
So much has been written about this film it’s hard to go on and add anything that won’t be repetitious. The collectible booklet included has a wonderful essay covering production, and delves into some of the deeper meaning of the film, and what it symbolizes. Though there are two points I readily disagree with. If you haven’t seen the film don’t read on… The writer states there are two scenes which make little sense except to heighten the scream quotient. The first, the worms or maggots. Even though the food is given as the cause, it is plain the Directress’ presence is what causes the worms, and the spoiling of the food. Her presence initiates death, and corruption – as is explained in the prologue of INFERNO. Second, the bat. It would seem the bat was nothing more than a device used by the witches to spy on Sarah, and frighten her as well. She proves to be a formidable equal, so it is quickly decided she be killed. The bat only came into play after Sarah didn’t eat her food and drink her tainted wine. If they were using it to see through it only attacked when she discovered it and let it in. The manipulation of animals is not an untried theory since the blind man’s dog is used to do their bidding earlier, and in INFERNO cats and, later rats are used. The bounds of reality as we live our lives doesn’t not apply in this realm where people seem to walk on a street of different logic. Mortality isn’t as fragile as in realife (victims take forever to die.) and people come and go very quickly, as in OZ





REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©
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