DeepRed

Deep Red (1975)

For this review I watched the killer new Blu-Ray from Blue Underground. I’ll talk about the special features included on the disc later in this review, but I did want to mention the transfer here. This movie has never looked better then it does here. The picture is beautiful and the colors jump off the screen. They did an amazing job. Now lets get to the review.

The movie opens up with a psychic giving a demonstration of her powers to a crowded theater of spectators. After impressing them with a few readings she taps into someone that disturbs her greatly. This person has killed and according to the psychic will kill again. After the crowd disperses the psychic tells everyone that she is heading home to sort thru things in her mind, but that she knows who the killer is and that the next day she will reveal the name. We the audience know that someone is watching her and later on when she is attacked in her apartment it isn’t surprising. Here we are introduced to Marcus Daly, who is a musician that lives in her building and witness the crime from the street below. He rushes to her aid, but is too late to save the woman. Two things happen then. First a nosey reporter splashes his name and picture on the front page of the paper, ensuring the killer has him on the next to go list. Second Marcus is bothered by something that he can’t quite put his finger on from when he rushed into the victim’s apartment. So now Marcus is trying to solve the crime, all while the murder is on his trail.

If I had a chance to show just one Giallo to someone it would have to be Deep Red. Not only does it have the signature visual style of a master like Argento (more on that later) but the story will suck you right in and keep you interested throughout. From the initial reading that sets the murders in motion to the surprising reveal at the end and everything in between the entire movie makes sense. The reason that I say this is because one of the big knocks on Argento is that his films have a very dreamlike quality to them and the in some cases the narratives are full of holes and make no sense. While I think that it is a bit harsh, I have to admit that those arguments have some merit. But here with Deep Red we get all the great visuals and a very solid story. So not only do I think this is the best Giallo to start someone off with, but it is also the first Argento movie that I would show someone. Before I finish talking about the story I do have to relate one more funny thing. I remember the first time I watched Deep Red I was about to be very disappointed because when you think the movie is over and the killer has been revealed it doesn’t make any sense. The person identified as the killer obviously couldn’t have committed the crime. Don’t worry though because the best twist is saved for the very last and explains everything.

There are two performances that I wanted to mention in the movie. They would be those of the leads, David Hemmings as Marcus Daly and Daria Nicolodi as Gianna Brezzi. Hemmings has to carry much of the movie, as he gets by far the most screen time unraveling the mystery. He does a great job in the role and I completely bought him as the too obsessed witness to just walk away from the crime. He also has great chemistry with Nicolodi, who plays the nosey reporter and love interest that puts him in harms way. Nicolodi is also really good and perfectly cast as the sort of spaced out and goofy Gianna Brezzi.

Lets talk about the filmmaking and technical bits. I love the look of an Argento movie. Deep Red doesn’t disappoint and contains some killer camera work and visuals. Early on we see the camera pull back from a theater with the curtains literally bringing the scene to an end. Also when ever the killer is about to go after someone there is a sequence with a child’s song playing and toys sitting on a table. As the camera pans over them it stops on a set of knives and we see someone putting on the black gloves (it is a Giallo you know). After the story is explained and all is revealed the meanings of these images make a lot of sense. There is also another scene with the Hemmings character playing a piano that uses close-ups of the keys striking to add to the scene as the killer stalks him at his home. There is one more huge bit of visual trickery that I’m not going to spoil here, but it is awesome. Oh and if this all weren’t enough to make you see the movie Deep Red has another iconic Goblin soundtrack that is instantly recognizable and killer!

As promised I’m going to talk a bit about the special features. They include a short interview with Dario Argento, the late Bernardino Zapponi (screen writer), and members of the band Goblin. Argento and Zapponi discuss how the story came about and the careful thought put into all of the deaths in the film. Also discussed is how some of the visuals were used to keep the audience uncomfortable and on the edge of their seats. They really put some thought into the kills and the impact that they might have on the audience. Finally the members of Goblin briefly discuss writing the music for the movie. Even at only 10 minutes long there is a good bit of interesting stuff here. It is a must watch for Deep Red and Argento fans.

I was on the fence between this and the Bird with the Crystal Plumage, but after another viewing of Deep Red I think that it is my favorite Giallo. It is also my 2nd favorite Argento movie (sorry I still love Suspiria!). More importantly Deep Red is a perfect movie that needs to be in everyone’s collection. I highly recommend Deep Red. For more information on where you can pick up the new Blu-Ray head over to Blue Underground’s website at http://www.blue-underground.com/

4 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer