Those who admire Dario Argento dont like his films for their colourful characters and intricate plots, but for his mastery of cinematic technique, which is vividly displayed here. In a bravura opening sequence, a woman is butchered by an unseen assailant while Goblins score thunders on the soundtrack, which might not sound like much on the page, but a late-night screening with an appreciative crowd will prove otherwise. Suspiria is defiantly anti-Hollywood: the characters arent particularly likeable, its not shot like a music video and doesnt lend itself to a franchise. Also, the kills are genuinely nasty, particularly the sequence where one victim exsanguinates while trapped in barbed wire. Needless to say, a remake is in the works, to which the only response can be an amused shrug. Whatever its intentions, it cant possibly match the artistry on display here.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
