With Halloween fast approaching our Dario Argento season continues on Popcorn Cinema Show. Here’s my Deep Red blu-ray review.
- Deep Red (1975)
- Genre: Horror, Thriller (Giallo)
- Directed By Dario Argento
- UK Film Rating 18
- Released By Arrow Video
- Starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Macha Meril, Gabriele Lavia, Giuliana Calandra, Glauco Mauri, Clara Calamai, Piero Mazzinghi
Plot
Pianist Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) has just been talking with his rather drunk friend Carlo in a square near his apartment. They hear a scream but Carlo wanders off a little worse for wear. Marcus turns to see one of his neighbours, Helga Ulmann being murder in the window.
She is known for her psychic or mind reading ability. Early that day she displayed her special gifts in front of live audience. However she revealed something incredibly disturbing. There was a murderer in their midst and they would kill again.
Having revealed this it probably comes as no surprise when that prediction comes true with the mind reader this time the victim.
Marcus rushes to the apartment to try and help but it’s a little bit too late.
The police are called, but this is where the film really starts. Marcus just can’t let it go and furthermore neither can reporter Gianna Brezzi (Daria Nicolodi),who arrives on the scene just after the police.
Marcus embarks on an investigation that’s about to put him in danger.
Don’t worry Argento has you guessing all the way through the film as to the identity of the murders along with their motives.
The ending is indeed DEEP RED and nice one at that.
Note: Dario Argento not only directs but also wrote the films story.
Style / Direction
If you have ever seen any of Dario Argento’s other films you will know his style and this film is packed full of that style. Luigi Kuveiller takes care of the cinematography should also take some of the credit.
The camera angles along and the setup of the shots are simply breathtaking. Putting aside the story a lot of filmmakers today could learn a thing or two from Argento’s framing and camera work. What he comes up with here is completely unique in the horror genre.
Nobody I can think of has managed to put this much style into a film and pull it off. His film still stands the test of time and should have influenced a new generation of filmmakers to absorb and add their own take.
Watching this film you know a lot of thought went into each scene.
The killings are very well done in a unique and sometimes over the top manner, but this simply increases the overall experience.
Oh and his use of music develops a little bit more in Deep Red.
Music / Sound Effects
The music is provided by Goblin & Giorgio Gaslini and music always plays a big part of any Argento film experience. Films like The Cat O’Nine Tails (1971) and Four Flies On Grey Velvet do it really well. In Deep Red you sense he has taken the sound and music design up another level. That said it’s not perfect a couple of times the music seems a little overdone.
His use of music and sound effects is done exceptionally well. In fact he likes to use the music and then use a sound effect, like kicking a bottle to break that emersion of the tension only to continue with the music.
The use of a children’s nursery rhyme is brilliantly chosen and produces a truly unnerving feeling.
It’s all done very well and seems to really add a level of production to his filmmaking.
Acting
All the main cast do a decent enough job with their roles. But it’s David Hemmings who really needs to delivers as we see most of the film from his perspective. The good news is he puts in a really good acting performance that keeps you interested and invested in finding out the reason for the killings along with their identity.
Daria Nicolodi is exceptional in the full uncut version but in the export version her role is somewhat curtailed.
Conclusion: Deep Red (1975) Film Review
If you have never seen a Dario Argento film Deep Red has enough style and plot twists to draw you in and trust me you will be hooked right until the end.
Deep Red really is a terrific looking film, add to that a pulsating audio experience and you have a classy horror thriller.
If you’re a fan of Dario Argento take a look at these reviews:
Conclusion: Deep Red Blu-ray Review
The film looks amazing and I guess it should after having a 4k restoration. It has pretty much faultless picture quality. A sharp clear picture with vibrant colours make this a spectacular viewing experience.
If I was to nitpick I did notice a hair that had not been removed, but that really would be a bit unfair as it simply looks probably the best it ever has.
Deep Red Blu-ray Review: One Disc or Three Disc Version?
This is the 1 disc version, there was a 3 disc limited edition that gives you the, original version of the film, export version and a CD of the sountrack. Whilst you can still find these knocking around expect to pay way over the odds. That said I’m more than happy with the 3 disc version, perfect for any Argento fan.
Extras On One Disc Version
- 4K restored scan of the original negative
- Original Italian soundtrack & original English soundtrack
- English subtitles for the Italian Soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the English Soundtrack
- Audio Commentary with Argento expert Thomas Rostock
- Introduction to the film by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin
- Profondo Giallo: Documentary
- Rosso Recollections: Dario Argento s Deep Genius Documentary
- The Lady in Red – Daria Nicolodi Remembers Profondo Rosso
- Music to Murder For! – Claudio Simonetti on Deep Red
- Profondo Rosso: From Celluloid to Shop – Luigi Cozzi
- Italian Trailer
Extras On Three Disc Version
This Blu-ray version is released by Arrow Video and I give them top marks all-round. Here’s what you get included:
- Original Version of the film
- Export Version
- CD: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording
- Profondo Giallo – Documentary
- Rosso Recollections: Dario Argento’s Deep Genius – Documentary
- The Lady in Red: Daria Nicolodi Documentary
- Music To Murder Documentary
- Reverible Blu-ray Cover/Jacket Art
- Poster
- Collector’s Booklet
- 6 Deep Red Collector’s Cards
- Trailers
Deep Red (1975) blu-ray is available now from Amazon.co.uk.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: Deep Red (1975)
MOVIE RATING: MUST SEE
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
EXTRAS: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
Deep Red (1975) Film Trailers
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Deep Red Blu-ray Review (1975) is just one of our Dario Argento reviews.
Summary: Deep Red (1975) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Deep Red (1975)
Duration: 105 / 127 Mins
Director(s): Dario Argento
Actor(s): David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Macha Meril
Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Rating
- Extras
Summary
Argento’s keeps you guessing right up until the very end in this outstanding horror ride.
