American student Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) travels to Germany to study at Tanz Akademie, a prestigious dance school. As she begins her studies, Suzy realises that there’s more to the school than meets the eye. When her new friends start going missing, and show up dead, Suzy fears that she will be the next victim of a maniac killer. Battling for her life, Suzy begins to unravel the secrets of the school but can she put an end to the murders once and for all?
‘Suspiria’ was originally released in 1977 and it’s considered to be Italian film-maker Dario Argento’s finest film. A cult classic among horror movie fans, ‘Suspiria’ recently received a 4K UHD release from CultFilms and Shameless Films. The film has been restored to match Argento’s original vision, bringing the film’s colour and sound to life in a way that audiences have never experienced before. This release looks absolutely incredible, and the vibrancy of the picture is truly a sight to behold. Argento used a vivid colour palette for the film, and that’s showcased in a whole new way with this release.
Story-wise, ‘Suspiria’ has a simple premise and it keeps you guessing throughout. Suzy’s arrival at Tanz Akademie begins with mystery when she sees a young woman fleeing the school in terror, and things get weird very quickly. Argento is a master of filming death scenes, and those included in this film are incredibly creative. He is also able to build suspense in a way few directors can, and the film frequently has you on the edge of your seat. As Suzy starts to understand what she’s gotten herself into, the tension ratchets up and at times the film is nerve-shredding.
Adding to the magic of the film is the soundtrack by Argento’s frequent collaborator Goblin. The Italian progressive rock band collaborated on the score with Argento, and it’s one of the most memorable film scores of all-time. It adds to the overall atmosphere of the film and helps to build the tension.
Across the 4K disc and a second Blu-ray disc, there are more than 6 hours of special features. As well as an introduction from Argento himself, the release features dozens of featurettes exploring the different elements of the film. There are a wealth of interviews too featuring Argento, film historian Kat Ellinger, and make-up artist Pier Atononio Meccacci. Other highlights include an audio commentary, trailers, and TV and radio spots.
The limited-edition release also comes with a book by Argento expert Alan Jones (who UK horror fans will know from FrightFest), a set of art-cards and a mini-poster. There is also a reversible sleeve, which is a very nice touch.
‘Suspiria’ really is one of the greatest horror films ever made. Whether you’ve seen it before or not, this really is the definitive version of the film. It’s absolutely loaded with extra material, which will be a must-see for Argento fans. ‘Suspiria’ is one of the most visually-stunning horror films ever made and it’s lost none of its magic over the last near 50 years. This release ensures that the film will endure for many more years to come.
Cast: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé, Barbara Magnolfi, Joan Bennett Director: Dario Argento Writers: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, Thomas De Quincey Certificate: 18 Duration: 98 mins Released by: CultFilms Release date: 30th March 2026 Buy ‘Suspiria’ now
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