Suspiria (1977) 98min
(Figure 1: Suspiria Poster)
Suspiria, (1977) directed by Dario Argento is an Italian horror film following the antics of the protagonist Suzy Bannion, as she succumbs to the dangers within a German Ballet school controlled by a coven of witches. It had become Argento's most proclaimed feature film and has become well known for its stylized, modern artistic flair. As the poster above shows us, this film is very extravagant within colour and graphic imagery that keeps the audience in suspense throughout, and hints subtle but graphic imagery of witchcraft.
(Above, Figure 2: Floor Pattern) (Below, Figure 3: Demonic Holding Circle)
Near the beginning of the film, there is very recognizable scene before the murder of the expelled student Pat Hingles, where we see a large, extravagant circle tile pattern along the floor. As Alan Jones says in his Suspiria review, he states that; ''A stunning combination of menacing Grand Guignol atmosphere, dazzling colours, gory violence, lush décor and pounding soundtrack.'' (A, Jones. 2013) In relevance to what Jones is saying, this particular pattern puts an emphasis towards a 'target' or bulls-eye, and is also very similar to that of a demonic circle. The harsh, bold colours really stand out when in comparison to the wall decor and the audience get the feeling of something is going to go terribly wrong. There is also a great sense of contrasting colours that are featured throughout the film that ooze a very of-putting emotion.
(Above, Figure 4: Contrasting Colours and the 'All Seeing Eye') (Below, Figure 5: Peacock Ornament)
Visually, Suspiria submerges the viewer in colour and over exaggerating current situations. However, there seems to be continuous appearances of 'eyes'. As Gemma Files states in her Suspiria film review; ''Brings together all the things Argento should be famous for: ultra-stylized visuals awash in eerie blue and febrile blood-red, juxtaposed against intense passages of all-out gore.'' (G, Files. 2000) Nearing the end of the film, Suzy discovers the room of the elder 'Black Witch' displaying the eerie red and blue contrasting colours. She also finds an array of ornaments that feature eyes, to which are all in common with the center piece of a glass Peacock. This relates to Suzy's experience that no matter where you are within the school, the witches are always watching you.
In conclusion, Suspiria has the creepyness of any modern 21st century haunted house horror films. As Keith Breeze says in his film review; ''a wild feast of imagery that has never since been duplicated.'' (K. Breeze, 2005) Unlike most other films, Argento has used colour to portray another emphasis to 'terror' that grips you from the very start, and leaves you feeling uncomfortable within your own skin.
In conclusion, Suspiria has the creepyness of any modern 21st century haunted house horror films. As Keith Breeze says in his film review; ''a wild feast of imagery that has never since been duplicated.'' (K. Breeze, 2005) Unlike most other films, Argento has used colour to portray another emphasis to 'terror' that grips you from the very start, and leaves you feeling uncomfortable within your own skin.
Bibliography
K, Breeze. (2005) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:
G, Files. (2000) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:
A, Jones. (2013) Suspiria Film Review. (Accessed on 08.12.2013) URL At:
Illustration list
Fig. 1. Suspiria Poster (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Poster] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://cathode13.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/hump-day-posters-suspiria.html (Accessed 08.12.2013)
Fig. 2. Floor Pattern (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://www.punchdrunkcritics.com/2013/10/30-days-of-halloween-day-7-suspiria.html (Accessed 08.12.2013)
Fig. 3. Demonic Holding Circle From: Supernatural Wiki [Still Image] URL At:
http://www.supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=Devil's_trap_(symbol) (Accessed 08.12.2013)
Fig. 4. Contrasting Colours and the 'All Seeing Eye' (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. (1:33:06) URL At: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onTYKt5lFNU (Accessed 08.12.2013)
Fig. 5. Peacock Ornament (1977) From: Suspiria Directed by: Dario Argento [Film Still] Italy. Seda Spettacoli. URL At: http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2008/10/31/dead-on-the-dancefloor/ (Accessed 08.12.2013)
Hi Heidi
ReplyDeleteOk, some pointers firstly on your referencing... within the text, you just have the author's surname and the date, so (Files, 2000) for example. In the bibliography, the name and initial are reversed, so it would be Files, G (2000). The 'accessed on' bit goes at the end.
Make sure that when you use a quote, that the quote is relevant to what you are discussing, and that the sentence still makes sense. For example, you are talking about the use of eyes, and then you say,
As Gemma Files states in her Suspiria film review; ''Brings together all the things Argento should be famous for: ultra-stylized visuals awash in eerie blue and febrile blood-red, juxtaposed against intense passages of all-out gore.''
Firstly, the quote does not support your discussion of eyes, and also it leaves the sentence not making sense.... you needed a couple of extra words in there -
As Gemma Files states in her Suspiria film review, the film, ''Brings together all the things Argento should be famous for...'
Just by adding 'the film', it now makes sense. This would also apply to the other quotes.
Be careful of your vocabulary - in the opening line, you talk of the 'antics' of the protagonist...antics is used to describe behaviour that is silly or funny, so not really the right word for this situation!
Ah yes now that I notice, you are right Jackie.
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