Hardcore fans of Italian horror maestro Dario Argento have long had the devil's own time collecting the director's entire body of work, mainly because some of the titles were simply unavailable on DVD. But now, fan-favorite distributor Anchor Bay has taken measures to rectify the situation, releasing two of Argento's finest to disc.This one slipped under the radar a few weeks ago, but both the 1982 giallo classic Tenebrae and the 1985 supernatural chiller Phenomena (a.k.a. Creepers) are now officially obtainable. The latter is particularly notable for featuring the very first starring role of 15-year-old Jennifer Connelly (pre-eyebrow waxing), recommended to Argento by his long-time friend and one-time collaborator Sergio Leone, who had used her the year before in Once Upon a Time in America.
I'll admit I'm not as familiar with Argento's work as I should be, although I'm crazy about Suspiria (who isn't?). But this is definitely a reason for fans of Italian horror to be happy. Now all we need is a boxed set release for Lucio Fulci's Gates of Hell/The Beyond/House by the Cemetery trilogy.
Both these are great films - amongst Argento's best.
ReplyDeleteWhen, though, will they re-release Four Flies on Grey Velvet (the only Argento giallo I haven't seen, apart from the recent TV movie, Do you like Hitchcock?.
And, is Gates of Hell what I know as City of the Living Dead?
Yep, City of the Living Dead is the alternate title of The Gates of Hell.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on Gates/Beyond/House -=- I have them all in one form or another but they could really use some extended cuts and remastering. But I have always been an Argento fan my favorite for some sick reason is Inferno - I just love in that movie how you get attached to a character and they just keep killing them off - it's great!
ReplyDeleteInferno is a classic. And don't you think the appearance of the Mater Lacrimarum in the auditorium during the music class is SO MUCH MORE impressive than the Mother of Tears in Argento's latest?
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see Mother of Tears. Planning to soon.
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