A non-teen witchcraft film.... (Suspiria (DVD))

Member Name: Sarah_Louise

Product:	Suspiria (DVD)
Date:	12/06/03 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Scary, Unpredictable, Gory

Disadvantages: A bit too 'odd' in some parts which could put people off

....it makes for a novel change doesn't it!


It was a few weeks ago when I was aimlessly flicking through the “Weekend” Guide in the Daily Mail when I noticed a film in the film guides section (strange place to put it huh!) :o)
I don’t know what made me look really, I just noticed this one particular film. It didn’t look or sound overly impressive, it didn’t have 5 stars and certainly didn’t have pick of the day. But still, something made me look. I couldn’t remember where I’d heard about the film from but then it dawned on me. Someone on dooyoo had recommended this film to me many, many months ago. In fact I do believe it was wampyrii but I’m not 100% sure about that! Anyway, regardless of who it was, I decided to give it a watch. It sounded interesting if nothing else.

After watching Alien and Aliens and being extremely disappointed I was hoping for some scares, some gore, something to make me jump out of my bed, anything remotely scary would be appreciated really. Was I disappointed? Read on….

Unlike Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, etc, etc, etc, Suspiria isn’t one of those films everyones seen and/or heard about. For a start, I’d never heard of it until someone on this very site mentioned it to me.
I tested this theory on my parents, enquiring whether they’d ever seen it before. I got the following response:

Parents: “Suspiria? Whats that?”
Me: “a film”
Parents: “a film about what?”
Me: “witchcraft, it’s a horror film”
Parents: “oh”
Me: “so, you’ve not seen it then?”
Parents: “I’ve not even heard of it!”

So, as you can see, Suspiria is one of those less-well known sort of films. Which, after being extremely disappointed by Alien and Aliens (because I knew what was going to happen and when),
Suspiria could only be good, couldn’t it?

So, because you might not have heard of this film, I guess I’d best cover the basics hadn’t I?


= = = What’s it about? = = =

Well, as you should already know, its about witchcraft. BUT before you all go around saying “well it’s a teen horror then” and automatically think its going to be cr*p, give this film a chance. For a start, its not a teen horror and its not cr*p!

The basic gist involves witchcraft taking place at a German dance academy. The film is based on essays in Thomas DeQuincey’s “Suspiria de Profundiis”. The film deals with “the three mothers” who’re ancient and powerful witches who spread evil.
This film mainly involves Mater Suspiriorum (the Mother of Sighs) who lives in Freiburg.


Despite being a horror, this film doesn’t need to rely on gore, jumpy moments or anything of the sort. The atmosphere created by the film is enough.

The film isn’t too slow to get started. Although you have to wait a while before the first ‘scary’ scene, you soon get engrossed in the film and forget that you’ve yet to be scared. (Unlike what happened when I saw Alien!)

The first ‘scary’ scene is pretty gory (always a good thing in my books!). It comes as a bit of a shock really because it leaves nothing to the imagination and really sets a scene for the rest of the film.
Its rather a cryptic film that requires a bit of thinking power in order to follow the film properly. Its not too complicated though so don’t get worked up about not understanding it all. You do need to keep your whits about you though.

Because of this, I won’t go into any more detail about what to look out for or else it’ll ruin the plot for all of you who’re yet to watch the film. All I’ll say is, take notice at the
start of the film when Suzy arrives at the school. That’s the only hint you’re getting!


= = = What did Sarah_Louise think about it? = = =

Well, it was one of the strangest horror films I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen quite a few!)
Its not your average horror film. I.e. its not a teen slasher horror, not a suspense based horror, its not soley based on gore, in fact its just odd overall!
Despite being a strange film, its really worth a watch. I think being an ‘odd’ film adds to the beauty of it. Being a film based on witchcraft, which in itself is viewed as being ‘odd’ by many people, the film easily gets away with being strange.

Unlike other witchcraft based films though, this film isn’t entirely based on witchcraft (e.g. the Craft for example). For those who’ve seen The Craft, you’ll know that practically the whole film revolves around the practice of witchcraft itself. Suspiria on the other hand, doesn’t even show the actual practice of witchcraft until the very end, and even then its not on the same scale as in The Craft.


= = = Conclusion = = =

Gore: 8/10
Scare factors: 7/10
Suspense: 6/10

Total: 21/30 = 70%


Despite being old (and bits are dated) its certainly worth watching, for fans of anything a bit ‘odd’ or just plain old horror films, I’m sure you’ll like, if not love this film.


There’s a sequel to the film called Inferno (released in 1980) which involves Mater Tenebranum (the Mother of Shadows) who lives in New York and also features Mater Lachrymarum (the Mother of Tears) from Rome. I can’t comment on this film though as I’ve yet to see it.


= = = More information = = =

http://www.imagesjournal.com/issue05/infocus/s uspiria.htm

The film has an 18 rating. Personally I can’t see why it has an 18
rating to be honest. (Perhaps rules were more strict in 1977?). Its not that scary, too gory, the language used isn’t too strong or frequent and there’s no nudity or sex scenes. So, why it warrants and 18 rating I’m not too sure. I suppose it just must be the gore factor. I’ve seen gorier though so who knows!

You can buy your own copy from Amazon amongst other similar shops/websites. A VHS copy will set you back £13.49 while a DVD copy will set you back £18.99.

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