Film Review - Suspiria

Figure 1. Suspiria (1977)

Dario Argento's Suspiria (1977) is what can only be described as true gore-horror. It doesn't stop to hold your hand and is not afraid to show you the insides of it's victims (quite literally). It's the use of colour and sound that helps it's presentation of horror and gore which is actually quite beautiful; the story's plot that is an adult version of fairy tales involving witches and magic, causing this mixture of gore and subtle fantasy.

Figure 2.

The films use of colour sets this beautiful warm tone but perceives darker themes, similar to how Black Narcissus uses red to communicate sexual tones, Argento uses it to communicate Danger, either by covering the whole scene with the colour or directing it at a specific object such as [Figure 2] for example, as Sara is trying to get Suzy's attention before she passes out there is a single shot where the whole tray of food that Suzy consumed is isolated in red; indicating that it's dangerous and has put Suzy in this drug state. In terms of other colours Blues would communicate darkness and yellows would be these shock waves of lightning,"And then there's Argento's masterful use of deep primary colours — the sets are bathed in garish red and green light - giving the whole film a hallucinatory intensity." (Smith, 2000) showing off how the simplicity of simple colour tones can communicate well in a horror setting.

Figure 3.

Another interesting thing about it's use of colour is how it's bringing us into this different version of it's universe. "The dance school setting suits a story that is as intricately choreographed as any ballet. Argento constructs it in such a way that the most horrific moments have a ghastly beauty. " (Sobczynski, 2017) With how the school is constructed the hues layered on top of that can change it's appearance instantly, this supports its adult fairy tale themes as its still ghastly but majestic. Not only with the intense hues, some of the set designs in the ballet school have gorgeous colour schemes and textures that are distinctive from one another.

Figure 4.

It's not just the films use of colour that conveys the horror and magic but the music, it's use dominates the films dialogue but helps us feel in the moment of the story's universe. "The score, composed by Argento and performed by his frequent collaborators, rock band Goblin, sounds as though Hell's demons rented a studio and decided to jam. Screams, wailings, hissing steam and some kind of diabolical digeridoo are punctuated with the occasional distorted shriek of "Witch!". It's enough to loosen the bowels on its own." (Smith, 2000) One good scene of it's use is at the very beginning when Suzy is leaving the airport, as she's approaching the exit the automatic doors slide open and as they open the music jumps in and as it closes it's cuts off; it repeats this until she reaches outside and it continues on full blast, it's this exposure to a new place she's arrived to and it's stormy, cold and dark; feeling bare and unknown to this place shes arrived to.

Bibliography:

Smith, Adam (2000) - Suspiria Review At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/suspiria/review/ [Accessed: 05/12/17 ]

Smith, Adam (2000) - Suspiria Review At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/suspiria/review/ [Accessed: 05/12/17 ]

Sobczynski, Peter (2017) - "DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WITCHES?": "SUSPIRIA" AT 40 At: https://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/do-you-know-anything-about-witches-suspiria-at-40 [Accsessed: 05/12/17 ]

Illustration:

Figure 1. Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento - Movie Poster

Figure 2. Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento - Movie Still

Figure 3. Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento - Movie Still

Figure 4. Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento - Movie Still