| Product: |
Inferno (DVD) |
| Date: |
07/10/01 (100 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: looks great., Some superb scenes.
Disadvantages: A disjointed storyline.
‘Inferno’ is actually the second film in Dario Argento’s ‘Three mothers trilogy’. It can easily be seen on its own as both it and the first film ‘Suspiria’ stand on their own very well. Although a film in its own right I still think it best to see ‘Suspiria’ first. I’ve also written an opinion on ‘Suspiria’ so again it may be best to read that one first. The trilogy has never been finished but who knows maybe one day Argento will revisit it.
The three mothers in question are witches, in ‘Suspiria’ it was Mater Suspiriorum (Mother of Sighs) whol lived at the dance academy in Frieburg, Germany. In ‘Inferno’ it is Mater Tenebrarum (Mother Of Darkness) from New York. The third witch is Mater Lachrymarum (Mother Of Tears) who is in Rome. Despite the third film not being made Mater Lachrymarum does make a cameo appearance in ‘Inferno’ as a mysterious woman holding a cat. She appears in a scene invilving Rose’s brother Mark at a lecture that he’s attending.
In ‘Inferno’ Rose Elliot (Irene Miracle) buys a book entitled ‘The Three Mothers’ from an antique book shop next to her apartment block in New York. The film starts with Rose reading the book complete with a voice over explaining the story of The Three Mothers and how they ruled the world from the previously mentioned locations. Rose is convinced that her apartment is home to Mater Tenebrarum and writes a letter to her brother Mark who lives in Rome telling him of her discovery.
A couple of scenes do stick in my mind, one in particular which sees Rose having to explore a basement room entirely filled with water. This underwater sequence is simple superb and a brilliant way of starting the film. Another is when Sara a friend of Mark’s is seen exploring a library and stumbling on what looks like an alchemist laboratory.
The films climax
is also very good even if it's similar to that of 'Suspiria'. The film also includes a scene which is identical to one that featured in ‘Suspiria’. This shows Sara taking a taxi ride in a storm, the scene even features the same actor playing the part of the cab driver.
The comments I made in my opinion of ‘Suspiria’ about its looks apply here as well. The film is visually stunning to look at and the same use of vivid colours are once again applied. I found both Irene Miracle and Elonora Giorgi who played the part of Sara excellent in the perspective roles. Leigh McCloskey as Rose’s brother Mark was fine if nothing special.
This time round the films soundtrack was supplied by Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame and while many prefer long time Argento collaborators Goblin I really like the work he has done here and did not miss them at all. While perhaps not as memorable as Goblin I found it wasn’t as annoying and repetitive either.
Argento is quoted as saying that making ‘Inferno’ was not an easy film with it taking up a lot of his energy and imagination. He also believes that it’s one of his most sincere and purest films. This may explain why it appears slightly disjointed and gives a reason perhps why he has never returned to complete the trilogy.
I think it’s fair to say that ‘Inferno’ is not an easily accessible film to watch and it can resemble a collection of random scenes stuck together. In spite of this ‘Inferno’ stands up to repeat viewing very well and if I’m honest I prefer slightly it to the more critically acclaimed ‘Suspiria’.
Overall then a wonderfully crafted and well made film that needs to be seen more than once to fully appreciate it.
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