Deep Red

Considered by many to be Dario Argento's first masterpiece, Deep Red recalls his first hit, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. British star David Hemmings (Blow-Up) plays an American jazz pianist who witnesses a brutal, bloody murder from afar and turns detective to find the killer. Kooky Italian journalist Daria Nicolodi (Argento's wife and cowriter on Suspiria) joins him as comic relief and tepid romantic interest, but the real costar is Argento's high style: gliding camera, razor-sharp editing, and gorgeous but gruesome set pieces. The story is convoluted, to say the least--plotting was never Argento's strong suit and the unnecessary exposition often drags the film down--but his vivid, horrific imagery is perfect for a thriller driven by haunting memories. Deep Red was originally released in the U.S. in a severely cut version retitled The Hatchet Murders (odd since the killer uses a butcher's knife). Producer Bill Lustig has restored the film to its original two-hour-plus running time, though some scenes exist only with Italian-language soundtracks (which are subtitled). It's a bit jarring at first (it makes for an unintended joke when a man suddenly checks his hearing aid after a language switch), but it's the only way to see Argento's original cut. There's also a brief 25th anniversary documentary with Argento and cowriter Bernardino Zapponi, and the DVD offers a choice of English and Italian language versions. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

slow and boring, not Suspira or close!

I have the raved about full version with half Italian and English dubbing. I am an Argento fan but Deep Red is too slow and boring and also put me to sleep. Suspira is way!!!!! scarier and better than this. For 1975 this isn't bad Italian stuff though. If this is Argento's version of Psycho it isn't bad. It might have helped if I watched it with subtitles insted of the dubbing. I am 33 years old and was looking for a slasher more Friday the 13th speed and have been for awile after 1000 horror movies, No sucess! I know this is an Agento film but you other reviewers must Real Old. possibly 50? No offense. December 10, 2008

4.5-A classic example of 70's Giallo from Italian horror maestro (drums roll)...... Dario Argento

This is one unique movie. I'm slowly becoming a fan Argento and this is so far my favorite of his films, though it should be noted that I have not yet seen all his films. There's so much visual style one can't help but be swept along. The story is also quite good which is not the case for some of his films. There are several gory scenes which are masterfully well done and the film's atmosphere is eerie and solid throughout. Argento is aided heavily by Goblin's music which is really good particularly in "Suspira".

In here we have David Hemmings plays a jazz musician who witnesses a murder and starts investigating the crime himself. A little bit of Hitchcock here but Argento creates a unique style that's all his. Basically that's a murder mystery with a touch of gore in it. I would not call this movie a horror film, it's more like a thriller. Argento has fun with the audience, involving them in the same dilemma that's facing the film's main character. The answer to the riddle may be locked in your head, you may already have seen the solution but yet you don't know the answer.

It is a very clever movie, especially the part where Hemmings discovers who the murderer is. Although there are scenes that some people may find boring, sure there is alot more talk than the killer's violent actions but I found nearly every scene to be interesting for we gradually begin to learn about the killer.

I have read that Argento left this genre for the most part after this film and concentrated on horror, like in Suspiria and Tenebre, which are both good films. However, Deep Red is a masterfully constructed film, full of visual delight, suspense, gore and a good comedy sequences I have yet seen in an Argento film. I would also think that this movie would be a good place to start with if you want to check out the maestros films. Highly recommended.
October 31, 2008

Stunning, dark & fantastic

This is a masterpiece. The suspense and the crimes are incredible, the techniques used to quicken the pulse are amazing and each scene of violence is shocking in a different way. A superb piece of horror. August 24, 2008

Profoundly good

This is a minor classic from director Dario Argento. An excellent thriller with horror elements thrown in that make the current wave of 'torture porn' movies look decidely second rate (which most of them are).

In the leading role David Hemmings plays a pianist who witnesses a murder and starts investigating them himself. Now why he would do this I don't know, but once you allow for this artistic licence, the film moves by with great pace. Full of atmosphere, tension, odd camera angles as well as the trademark roving camera for which Argento is well know. You can still also detect the influence of Hitchcock in this film. But Argento has moved things on to a different level.

Listen out for the music score by the Italian prog rock group Goblin. They worked with Argento on a regular basis and their pounding music scores added a little extra to Argento's films.

This is the full length widescreen version. There is a shorter English version available in some countries, which is panned and scanned - do not buy this!

Argento is most famous for Suspira, which I was never a huge fan of. Buy this and 'The Bird with the crystal plumage' and in my view you'll own his two best films. June 1, 2008

Deep Disturbing - Terror Classic

If you are a fan of murder mystery and scary movies,
then you must add Dario Argento's films
"Deep Red" and "Suspiria", to your collection
or risk losing your credibility.

If you do not know the work of the master Italian film director,
imagine Alfred Hitchcock on steroids. Enough said.

There is no point writing about this film because
you will get it, you will watch it (many times)
and you will like it.

note bene: the movie is dubbed in English, but occasionaly
is in Italian with English subtitles; very strange, but not
as bad as it may sound; apparently the Italian language parts
were cut from the film and then reinserted for the uncut
version, but not dubbed in English. March 7, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...