Rating: Summary: Dario Argento's giallo masterpiece Review: Dario Argento's giallo masterpiece comes to DVD on a fine disc from Anchor Bay. The end credits are wrong but this is a minor flaw on a disc with a beautiful anamorphic transfer. The film is superb and one of Dario's finest. Superb camera techniques, a pounding rock score from Goblin and the rest is history, well in Italy at least. Largely overlooked title is a stunning portrait of suspense and a true classic of the Italian giallo/murder mystery genre. Totally stunning!
Rating: Summary: a work of superior craftsmanship, although a bit lengthy Review: "Deep Red" is yet another over-stylized giallo from director Dario Argento, who gave us "Suspiria" and "Tenebrae," among other films. It concerns a jazz pianist who falls witness to a brutal hatchet murder, and finds himself in jeopardy as the killer starts to pick off everyone around him. The movie (in its uncut 126-minute version) is a bit slow at times, and the split use of subtitles and dubbing is very awkward, but if you stick with it it'll definitely be worth your while. An unnerving score by Goblin and masterful set pieces give "Deep Red" the extra push to make it yet another gem in Argento's relatively flawless career.
Rating: Summary: Horror and Suspense Like No Other! Review: I just purchased this film, ripped it out of its wrapper, and plugged it in, and WOW is all I can say! The whole atmosphere created is enough to make you jump!Add to that several VERY disturbing and violent deaths, intensely haunting music, and a good plot line, and you have a masterpiece! Never before have I jumped/cringed so much at a movie(and Im a big horror buff)! The wind-up doll,lullabye, and haunted house were also a very nice touch!
Rating: Summary: Just Good, But Not A Masterpiece Review: This film is not a masterpiece, no matter what anyone says. The only beautiful thing about it is its very interesting plot and the way the characters interact and their symbolism (there is much more to Argento's films than meets the eye, and this movie never lets you forget it, literally). It's about a pianist who witnesses a murder yet doesn't know if what he's seen is real or not (a common theme in Argento's films). Basically, it's a trippy film that plays with your mind as much as the killer does with our hero in the story. A great detective film, as well as a psychological drama. But not a masterpiece by any means.
Rating: Summary: Deep Red Review: Dario Argento should be a household name as far as horror directors go. If not, this film and Suspiria, now released on DVD should make it so. Originally titled, "Russo Profundo", the film is set in Rome where an English pianist witnesses a brutal murder in his tenement. This is actually considered a remake of Four Flies On Grey Velvet, but this time around, Argento goes to great lengths to make sure every murder scene is garishly filmed and staged to make the audience gasp. The transfer to DVD is superb, and footage previously not released is now here for the first time in the USA. Beautifully photographed, this movie set the precursor for the splatter films that would follow, including some by Dario Argento himself. The plot is weak in spots and sometimes a bit confusing if you are not following closely, but the overall effect is a superb stylish thriller that you will not likely forget after viewing. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Great but not as good as Tenebrae Review: I'm new into the the whole Argento scene. I went out and bought Tenebrae and Deep Red. While both were very good films I would give Tenebrae a little bit of an edge for a couple reasons. First, although I like stories that slowly develop and lead to an explosive climax, Deep Red moved a little too slowly in some parts, very slow I should say. Second, I liked the ending of Tenebrae better, not to say that Deep Red's ending wasn't good but I just thought Tenebrae's ending was just awesome. I will say one thing that I am learning about Argento, that he is an expert director. His movies are an excellent combination of horror and mystery, imaginative camerawork, and a pulse raising soundtrack. Another thing was that I was unable to guess the killer in each movie. Also, unlike some of today's thrillers, the motive behind the killer is perfectly logical and fits the rest of the movie like a puzzle. You finish watching the movie feeling satisfied with what you saw just transpire. I will say that Deep Red was a genuinely creepy and occasionally suspenseful movie that horror and mystery fans alike should take a look at. If you can get past the dubbing problems, have a strong stomach, week supporting actors (by the way the acting in either film wasn't that bad, the main characters gave strong performances), you're in for a treat. Just bear with the slow pace and you'll be happy you stick around for the ending of "Deep Red". I really dug the bathroom murder, I think Halloween 2 owes some credit to it.
Rating: Summary: Without a Doubt, Argento's BEST Film! Review: Quite possibly the best giallo-thriller I have ever seen, Dario Argento's "Deep Red" (aka "The Hatchet Murders") is an excellent entry to any horror fan's collection. The film begins with Helga, a gifted psychic, who senses the presence of a murderer in the audience of one of her conventions. She soon learns the identity of the killer and, before she can tell anyone, she is brutally murdered. David Hemmings' character is witness to her murder and (along with a beautiful reporter) tries to solve the mystery and identity of the killer. Along with "Suspiria", this is Argento's most popular film, even though the two are very different. "Deep Red" lacks the supernatural touches and fairly thin plot of "Suspiria", making it (in my opinion) better. Even though I do not find "Deep Red" as terrifying as "Suspiria", it is still engrossing and entertaining. Nonetheless, Dario Argento's superb direction is very evident in both films; but I think most people would enjoy "Deep Red" much much more.
Rating: Summary: A masterpiss? Review: How could such a dragging Argento film be a masterpiece? If this were indeed an Argento masterpiece, then Argento was such a bore! Watching for two hours has been great suffering. Instead of sympathizing with those killed by the serial killer, I felt relieved that they were killed - they very much deserved to be killed for their stupidity and irrational decisions. With cardboard characters and illogical turn of events, then there can be no such masterpiece.
Rating: Summary: A classic movie well presented - with one slight flaw Review: Deep Red has to be one of my favourite Argento movies for a number of reasons. It's not just the ways in which the victims are dispatched, but the way Argento presents every scene to the viewer. Some of the dialog scenes in Deep Red remind me of traditional productions of Shakespeare's plays - particularly the scene in front of the fountain wherein Marc and Carlo discuss the relevance of the missing picture in poor Helga's apartment. Having the film in it's original aspect ratio prevents this classic scene becoming a farce as the speakers disappear off either side of the frame due to pan-and-scan.The quality of the image is very good, and the remastered soundtrack sounds great. This is the completely uncut version, even featuring that poor old lizard. The only problem is the title sequences, which have been amended during the preparation of the film for DVD. The opening titles now have a black background instead of the original blue (an irrelevance), but the end titles, where Marc Daly is seen (his face reflected in a pool of blood) reacting to the final death, have been frozen. As Shakespeare put it: "Since the more fair and crystal is the sky, the uglier seem the clouds that in it fly." After such a perfect presentation of this excellent film, the end credits provide a jarring finale. Still - it is an absolute pleasure to be able to see the whole movie as Dario intended it to be seen. Anchor Bay - keep up the god work!
Rating: Summary: A very scary movie Review: When I saw this in theatre I was about 10 years old and I couldn't sleep that night. Watching it again on DVD 20 something years later the movie still entertaining and still quite scary. This is still a better movie than most other 90's movies with similar theme. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the some missing English dialog in the English language version. In one scene the actor speaks English in one sentence then speak Italian in the next sentence. I would suggest if you just view it in Italian with English subtitle. Less confusing that way. The picture quality is very good. Bright and clear. The remastered Dolby 5.1 has nothing much to offer except for the Goblins score. The actions still only come out from the centre speaker only. If you like this kind of slasher film, this DVD is a must buy. Definitely much better than "I know what you did last summer" and its sequel.
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